Ancient Egyptians called fish amulets like this nekhau and gave them to young girls to wear as a charm against drowning. Some scholars suggest that such amulets functioned by aversion, that is, a reminder of a watery environment was enough to give the owner security, but it is much more likely that the amulet allowed the wearer to acquire the abilities of a fish, and therefore survival, if she happened to fall into the water.

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