The ancient Egyptians believed that the world was a dangerous place. They needed protection against the many dangers they faced, such as illness or attack by wild animals. Prayers, offerings, amulets (protective charms) and rituals could give the protection of the gods and stop the world from slipping back into chaos.

Amulets for protection

The Egyptians believed that amulets protected them from the dangers of life or gave them powers. The gods Isis and Horus protected women and children. The goddess Bastet would protect them if they wore a cat amulet. They also believed amulets helped the dead to reach the Afterlife safely. A body could be protected by an amulet of Anubis, the god of embalming, or by the funerary god Ptah-Sokar.

Symbolism for protection

An amulet could be an image of a god, such as ibis-headed Thoth, or a symbol, such as an ankh (life). The sun represented the belief in rebirth each day. The wedjat represented the damaged and healed eye of the god Horus, and gave powerful protection to both the living and the dead. Amulets were usually made from faience (a type of glazed ceramic), glass, wood or stone. Colour was important. The djed amulet, which protected a mummy, should have been made in gold but was often in green faience, the colour of rebirth.