Menu

Wananga landing Wananga landing

Egyptian Scarab

20 November 2023

Diorite or schist, c. 1500-1300 BC
Acc #: 118.71, James Logie Memorial Collection
Gift of Miss Eleanor M. Grantham

HOW TO APPLY
Egyptian Scarab

This Egyptian Scarab is made of a hard, fine-grained black diorite or schist with a well-polished surface. The base of the scarab is inscribed with a verse from the 30th chapter of the Book of the Dead. The inscription reads:

Spell of the Osiris, Royal Scribe and Overseer of Expeditions
Kaher, True of Voice; he says "My heart of my mother!"
My heart of my mother! My heart of different Ages!
Do not rise up as a witness against me before the Keeper of the Balance; Do not oppose me in the Great Court, for you are the ka [which was within my body] the protector…..”

This is a heart scarab, or a protective amulet for the heart and in the afterlife. The heart was always left in the mummified body. Egyptians believed that their hearts would be weighed against a feather in the underworld, to see if they were wicked or blameless.

Scarab beetles lay their eggs in dung and push them around as a ball in front of them. They were regarded by the Egyptians as a potent symbol of life, death and rebirth, and of the sun god Ra.

Heart Scarab
Privacy Preferences

By clicking "Accept All Cookies", you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyse site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.