23 Ancient Egyptian Symbols – What Do They Mean?

Ancient Egypt is renowned for its rich and fascinating culture, and one of the most notable aspects of this culture is its intricate system of symbols and iconography.

Ancient Egyptian symbols were used extensively in art, religion, and daily life, and they continue to captivate people around the world to this day.

The symbols range from representations of gods and goddesses to objects, animals, and even geometric shapes, each with its own meaning and significance.

The symbols were used to convey important ideas and beliefs, such as protection, power, and the cycle of life and death, and they played a crucial role in the daily lives of the ancient Egyptians.

Also Read: Accomplishments of Ancient Egypt

Understanding these symbols can provide insight into the beliefs, culture, and history of ancient Egypt, as well as provide inspiration for modern art and design. In this way, the symbols of ancient Egypt continue to be a rich source of fascination and inspiration for people of all ages and cultures.

Egyptian Hieroglyphics and Symbols

1. Ankh

Ankh

Ankh is an ancient Egyptian symbol that represents life and vitality. It is usually depicted as a cross with a loop at the top, and it was commonly used in amulets and other forms of Egyptian art.

Also Read: Facts About Hieroglyphics

The loop at the top of the Ankh is believed to represent the sun rising above the horizon, while the cross represents the Earth and the four cardinal directions.

The Ankh was often held by gods and goddesses in Egyptian art, and it was also frequently used in burial rites and ceremonies to symbolize the transition to the afterlife.

2. Eye of Horus

Eye of Horus

The Eye of Horus is an ancient Egyptian symbol that represents protection, healing, and good health. Also known as the “Wadjet” or “Udjat” eye, it is named after Horus, the falcon-headed god of the sky and war.

Also Read: Eye of Ra vs Eye of Horus

The symbol is often depicted as a stylized eye with a distinctive eyebrow and markings that resemble the markings of a falcon.

The Eye of Horus was believed to have magical powers and was often used as a protective amulet, especially against the “evil eye” and other negative forces.

It was also associated with healing, as it was believed to have the power to cure illnesses and injuries.

3. Scarab Beetle

Scarab Beetle

The Scarab beetle is an ancient Egyptian symbol that represents resurrection and regeneration.

It is a species of dung beetle that was considered sacred in ancient Egypt due to its association with the sun god, Khepri, who was often depicted as a scarab beetle or with the head of a scarab beetle.

Also Read: Timeline of Ancient Egypt

The Egyptians observed that the scarab beetle rolled balls of dung across the ground, which they interpreted as a representation of the sun’s daily journey across the sky. This led to the belief that the scarab beetle had the power to renew life, and it became a popular symbol of resurrection and rebirth.

Scarab amulets were often placed in the wrappings of mummies to ensure a successful journey to the afterlife.

4. Djed Pillar

Djed Pillar

The Djed Pillar is an ancient Egyptian symbol that represents stability and strength. It is a column-like symbol with four horizontal bars, often interpreted as the spinal column of the god Osiris, who was associated with resurrection and the afterlife.

The Djed Pillar was believed to have a powerful spiritual energy and was often used in religious ceremonies and rituals, as well as in funerary contexts. It was also associated with the goddess Hathor, who was believed to have given birth to the universe and was associated with fertility and rebirth.

The Djed Pillar symbol was often used in amulets, jewelry, and other forms of Egyptian art, and it continues to be a popular symbol in modern-day spiritual practices.

5. Nemes Headdress

Nemes Headdress

The Nemes Headdress is an ancient Egyptian symbol that represents royalty and power. It is a striped headcloth that was worn by pharaohs and other members of the royal family.

The headdress was made of fine linen and was folded in such a way that it covered the head and neck, leaving the face exposed. The stripes on the headdress were believed to represent the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt, and the gold bands at the front and back symbolized the pharaoh’s power and authority.

The Nemes Headdress was also associated with the god Horus, who was often depicted wearing a similar headdress, and it became a popular symbol of divine kingship and protection. The headdress is often depicted in Egyptian art, and it remains a recognizable symbol of ancient Egyptian royalty to this day.

6. Was Scepter

Was Scepter

The Was Scepter is an ancient Egyptian symbol that represents power and dominion. It is a long staff with a curved top that resembles a shepherd’s crook, and it was often carried by the pharaohs and other high-ranking officials.

The Was Scepter is associated with the god Set, who was believed to have used the staff to control chaos and protect the divine order. The Was Scepter is also associated with the god Amun, who was the king of the gods and the god of creation.

In Egyptian art, the Was Scepter is often depicted in the hands of the gods, especially in scenes of judgment and afterlife. It is also commonly seen in the hands of the pharaohs in images of them performing religious rituals or holding court.

The Was Scepter is one of the most recognizable symbols of ancient Egyptian royalty and power.

7. Uraeus

Uraeus

The Uraeus is an ancient Egyptian symbol that represents divine authority and protection. It is a stylized cobra with a raised hood, often depicted on the forehead of the pharaoh’s crown or headdress.

The Uraeus was associated with the goddess Wadjet, who was one of the earliest deities in Egyptian mythology and was believed to have protected the king and the country.

The Uraeus was a powerful symbol of protection and was believed to have the power to strike down the pharaoh’s enemies with its venomous bite.

It was also associated with the sun god Ra and was believed to have the power to protect the pharaoh during his journey through the underworld.

The Uraeus is a common symbol in Egyptian art, and it continues to be used as a symbol of divine authority and protection in modern-day culture.

8. Lotus Flower

Lotus Flower

The Lotus Flower is an ancient Egyptian symbol that represents rebirth and creation. The lotus was a plant that grew in abundance in the Nile River and was often used in Egyptian art and architecture.

The Lotus Flower was associated with the god Atum, who was believed to have risen from the chaos of the primeval waters on a lotus blossom, creating the universe.

The Lotus Flower was also associated with the sun and was believed to close its petals at night and open them again at sunrise, symbolizing the cycle of life and death.

The flower was also associated with the goddess Isis, who was believed to have used lotus flowers to reanimate her dead husband Osiris. The Lotus Flower is a common motif in Egyptian art, often depicted in reliefs and paintings as well as in amulets and jewelry.

9. Shen Ring

Shen Ring
A ram headed bird representing the ba of Ra with shen rings in his grasp.

The Shen Ring is an ancient Egyptian symbol that represents eternity and protection. It is a circular ring with a knotted string that is wrapped around it, forming a pattern of horizontal and vertical lines that resemble a rope.

The Shen Ring was associated with the god Horus, who was believed to have used it to encircle the universe and protect it from chaos. The ring was also associated with the sun and was believed to have the power to protect the pharaoh from harm.

The Shen Ring was often used in amulets and other forms of Egyptian art, and it became a popular symbol of protection and good luck. The symbol is still used in modern Egyptian jewelry and art, often worn as a talisman or used in home decor.

10. Menat Necklace

Menat Necklace

The Menat Necklace is an ancient Egyptian symbol that represents fertility and femininity. It is a type of necklace that was often worn by women and was made of beads, cowrie shells, and other decorative elements.

The Menat Necklace was associated with the goddess Hathor, who was the goddess of love, beauty, music, and motherhood. Hathor was often depicted wearing a Menat Necklace, and it was believed to have the power to increase fertility and bring blessings to women.

The necklace was also used in religious ceremonies and was believed to have the power to ward off evil spirits and protect the wearer from harm. The Menat Necklace is a popular symbol in Egyptian art and continues to be used in modern jewelry designs inspired by ancient Egyptian styles.

11. Benben Stone

Benben Stone

The Benben Stone is an ancient Egyptian symbol that represents the creation of the universe. It is a pyramidal stone, usually made of a type of yellowish-brown limestone, that was believed to have been the first object to emerge from the primordial waters of chaos at the beginning of creation.

The Benben Stone was associated with the god Atum, who was believed to have created himself out of the stone, and with the sun god Ra, who was believed to have used the stone as a place to stand and observe the world.

The Benben Stone was also associated with the city of Heliopolis, where it was believed to have been kept in a special temple. The symbol of the Benben Stone was used in Egyptian architecture and art, and it became a powerful symbol of creation and the divine origins of the pharaohs.

12. Cartouche

Cartouche

The Cartouche is an ancient Egyptian symbol that was used to encircle and protect the name of a pharaoh or a royal person. It is an oval-shaped frame with a horizontal line at one end and a loop at the other end.

The Cartouche was usually inscribed with the name of the pharaoh in hieroglyphic script, and it was believed to have the power to protect the pharaoh’s name from harm and ensure his immortality.

It was often used in hieroglyphic inscriptions on monuments, temples, and tombs, and it was a popular symbol of royal power and authority. The word “Cartouche” comes from the French word “cartouche,” which means a small box or cartridge, and it was named after the shape of the symbol.

13. Crook and Flail

Crook and Flail

The Crook and Flail are ancient Egyptian symbols that represent the pharaoh’s power and authority.

The Crook is a long, hooked staff that was used by shepherds to herd sheep, while the Flail is a type of whip with three or more tails that was used to thresh grain.

Together, the Crook and Flail were known as the “Nebu” or “Nebu-Set” and were often carried by the pharaohs in images of them performing religious rituals or holding court.

The Crook and Flail were associated with the god Osiris, who was believed to have been the first pharaoh and the god of resurrection and the afterlife. They were also associated with the god Horus, who was the son of Osiris and the god of the sky and war.

The Crook and Flail symbolize the pharaoh’s role as a shepherd of his people, protecting them from harm and ensuring their well-being.

14. Sistrum

Sistrum

The Sistrum is an ancient Egyptian musical instrument that was used in religious ceremonies and festivals. It is a type of rattle that consists of a metal frame with a handle and a series of metal rods or wires that are set in motion when the instrument is shaken.

The Sistrum was associated with the goddess Hathor, who was the goddess of music, dance, and love. The instrument was believed to have the power to appease the gods and to drive away evil spirits, and it was often played during religious rituals and festivals in honor of Hathor and other gods and goddesses.

The Sistrum was also associated with the goddess Isis, who was believed to have used the instrument to summon the power of the gods and to restore life to the dead.

The Sistrum is a popular symbol in Egyptian art and continues to be used in modern times as a symbol of music, dance, and religious devotion.

15. Scarab Wings

Scarab Wings

Scarab Wings is an ancient Egyptian symbol that represents transformation and rebirth. In Egyptian mythology, the scarab beetle was believed to be a symbol of the sun, and it was associated with the god Khepri, who was often depicted as a man with the head of a scarab beetle.

The scarab beetle was also associated with the concept of transformation and rebirth because of its ability to emerge from a ball of dung and transform itself into a beautiful creature. Scarab Wings, therefore, represent the ability to undergo a transformative process and emerge renewed and reborn.

The symbol of Scarab Wings is often depicted in Egyptian art, especially in funerary contexts, where it was believed to help the deceased person in their journey to the afterlife. Scarab Wings are also popular in modern Egyptian-inspired jewelry and art.

16. Eye of Ra

Eye of Ra

The Eye of Ra is an ancient Egyptian symbol that represents the power and protection of the sun god, Ra. It is a stylized eye with a distinctive eyebrow and markings that resemble the markings of a falcon.

The Eye of Ra is often depicted as a separate entity from Ra himself and is associated with his daughter, the goddess Bastet, who was believed to have been the protector of the sun god.

The symbol of the Eye of Ra was often used in amulets and other forms of Egyptian art, and it was believed to have the power to protect the wearer from harm and to ward off evil spirits.

The Eye of Ra was also associated with the concept of balance and justice, as it was believed that Ra used the symbol to watch over and judge the world.

The Eye of Ra is a powerful symbol in Egyptian mythology, and it continues to be used as a symbol of protection and power in modern-day culture.

17. Anubis

Anubis

Anubis is an ancient Egyptian god who is often depicted as a man with the head of a jackal. He was the god of mummification and the afterlife and was believed to have the power to protect the deceased and guide them through the underworld.

Anubis was also associated with the weighing of the heart ceremony, where the heart of the deceased was weighed against the feather of Ma’at, the goddess of truth and justice.

Also Read: Anubis Facts

If the heart was heavier than the feather, it was believed to indicate that the person had lived a life of sin and would be devoured by the god Ammit. Anubis was also believed to have the power to transform into a black jackal and to protect the graves of the deceased.

Anubis is one of the most recognizable symbols of ancient Egyptian mythology, and he continues to be a popular figure in modern-day culture, often depicted in movies, books, and other forms of media.

18. Ma’at Feather

Ma'at Feather

The Ma’at Feather is an ancient Egyptian symbol that represents truth, justice, and balance. Ma’at was the goddess of truth and justice, and her feather was used in the weighing of the heart ceremony in the afterlife.

The feather was believed to represent the concept of Ma’at, which encompassed order, truth, balance, and harmony. The feather of Ma’at was used to weigh the heart of the deceased against its purity, and if the heart was found to be pure, the person was believed to be worthy of entering the afterlife.

The Ma’at Feather was also associated with the god Thoth, who was the god of wisdom and knowledge, and was often depicted with the feather on his head. The symbol of the Ma’at Feather is often used in Egyptian art and continues to be a popular symbol of truth and justice in modern times.

19. Nefer

Nefer

“Nefer” is an ancient Egyptian word that means “beautiful,” “perfect,” or “good.” The word was often used in names and epithets, such as “Nefer-ka-ptah,” which means “beautiful is the ka of Ptah,” or “Nefer-Neferu-Aten,” which means “beautiful are the beauties of Aten.”

The word “nefer” was also used as a symbol in ancient Egyptian art, often represented by a stylized image of a lotus flower with three petals.

The image of the Nefer symbol was associated with the goddess Hathor, who was the goddess of beauty, love, and music, and it was believed to have the power to bring joy, harmony, and prosperity to those who beheld it.

The Nefer symbol is still used in modern times as a symbol of beauty and perfection, and it is often incorporated into jewelry and other decorative objects.

20. Tjet

Tjet

The Tjet or the Tyet is an ancient Egyptian symbol that represents the goddess Isis and the concept of resurrection and eternal life. It is a stylized image of a knot or a girdle that was often depicted in red or blood-red color.

The Tjet symbol is also known as the “Knot of Isis” or the “Blood of Isis” and was associated with the goddess Isis, who was the goddess of fertility, motherhood, and rebirth.

The Tjet symbol was often used in amulets and other forms of Egyptian art, and it was believed to have the power to protect the wearer and to ensure a successful journey to the afterlife. It is still used in modern times as a symbol of protection and good luck.

21. Sekhem scepter

Flail, Hook and Sekhem Scepter

The Sekhem Scepter is an ancient Egyptian symbol that represents power and authority. It is a type of scepter that was used by the pharaohs and other high-ranking officials in ancient Egypt.

The Sekhem Scepter consists of a long staff with a stylized animal head at the top, often depicting the head of a lion, a falcon, or a ram. It was believed to have the power to command and control both the natural and supernatural worlds.

The Sekhem Scepter was also associated with the god Horus, who was the son of Osiris and Isis and the god of the sky and war. The symbol of the Sekhem Scepter was used in Egyptian art and architecture, and it became a popular symbol of power and authority.

22. Horus Falcon

Horus Falcon

The Horus Falcon is an ancient Egyptian symbol that represents the god Horus, who was the god of the sky, war, and protection. The Horus Falcon was often depicted with the body of a man and the head of a falcon, and he was believed to have the power to protect the pharaoh and to ensure his success in battle.

The symbol of the Horus Falcon was also associated with the concept of divine kingship, as the pharaoh was believed to be a manifestation of Horus on Earth.

The Horus Falcon was often depicted in Egyptian art, and it became a popular symbol of power, protection, and authority. The symbol is still used in modern times in Egyptian-inspired art and jewelry as a symbol of strength and protection.

23. Aten

Aten

Aten is an ancient Egyptian symbol that represents the sun disk and the god Aten, who was worshiped as the god of the sun disk. Aten was associated with the pharaoh Akhenaten, who ruled during the 18th dynasty and who tried to introduce a new monotheistic religion centered on the worship of Aten.

The symbol of Aten is often depicted as a sun disk with rays ending in hands, each holding an ankh, the symbol of life. The symbol of Aten was used in Egyptian art and architecture during the reign of Akhenaten, and it represented the new religious beliefs and the pharaoh’s authority.

The Aten symbol also symbolized the power of the sun and its ability to give life and sustain the natural world. The symbol is still used in modern times as a symbol of light, life, and energy.