The Timeline of Art History   The Metropolitan Museum of Art
World MapsTimelines / RegionsThematic EssaysWorks of ArtIndex  



Egyptian Amulets
Elephant [Egyptian] Hand and foot amulets [Egyptian] Sa sign [Egyptian; Thebes, Mentuhotep Temple, North Triangular Court, Pit 23] Hedgehog amulet on a string [Egyptian; Lisht North, Pit 995] Hippo's head [Egyptian] Head of a cobra [Egyptian; Lisht North] Fish [Egyptian; Lisht North, Tomb L847] Scarab Amulets [Egyptian] Tyet sign [Egyptian; Abydos, Cemetery D, Tomb 33]
Heart amulets [Egyptian] Bes image [Egyptian] Aegis of Sekhmet or Bastet [Egyptian] Taweret [Egyptian] Nepthysis, Horus, and Isis [Egyptian] Baboon with a wedjet eye [Egyptian] Anubis [Egyptian] Djed pillar [Egyptian] Sobek as a crocodile [Egyptian]
Wedjet eye [Egyptian]


An amulet is a small object that a person wears, carries, or offers to a deity because he or she believes that it will magically bestow a particular power or form of protection. The conviction that a symbol, form, or concept provides protection, promotes well-being, or brings good luck is common to all societies: in our own, we commonly wear religious symbols, carry a favorite penny, or a rabbit's foot. In ancient Egypt, amulets might be carried, used in necklaces, bracelets, or rings, and—especially—placed among a mummy's bandages to ensure the deceased a safe, healthy, and productive afterlife.

Egyptian amulets functioned in a number of ways. Symbols and deities generally conferred the powers they represent. Small models that represent known objects, such as headrests or arms and legs, served to make sure those items were available to the individual or that a specific need could be addressed. Magic contained in an amulet could be understood not only from its shape. Material, color, scarcity, the grouping of several forms, and words said or ingredients rubbed over the amulet could all be the source for magic granting the possessor's wish.

Small representations of animals seem to have functioned as amulets already in the Predynastic Period (ca. 4500–3100 B.C.). In the Old Kingdom (ca. 2649–2150 B.C.), most amulets took an animal form or were symbols (often based on hieroglyphs), although generalized human forms occurred. Amulets depicting recognizable deities begin to appear in the Middle Kingdom (ca. 2030–1640 B.C.), and the New Kingdom (ca. 1550–1070 B.C.) showed a further increase in the range of amulet forms. With the Third Intermediate Period (ca. 1070–712 B.C.), there was an explosion in the quantity of amulets, and many new types, especially deities, appeared.


Amulet, Africa, Egypt, Faience, Figure, Deity, Egyptian, Personal Ornament, Necklace, Animal, Feline, Archaeology, Africa (including Egypt)

Department of Egyptian Art

Abridged List of Rulers: Ancient Egypt and Nubia, Abridged List of Rulers: Ancient Sudan, Egypt in the Middle Kingdom (ca.2030-1640 B.C.), Egypt in the New Kingdom (ca.1550-1070 B.C.), Egypt in the Old Kingdom (ca. 2649-2150 B.C.), Egypt in the Third Intermediate Period (1070-713 B.C.), The Temples of Senwosret III at Dahshur, Kings and Queens of Ancient Egypt, Queens and Princesses in the Pyramid Complex of Senwosret III, Dahshur, Egyptian Tombs: Life Along the Nile, Precious Metals from Tell Basta,

Egypt, 1000 B.C.-1 A.D., Egypt, 2000-1000 B.C., Egypt, 8000-2000 B.C.,

Africa, 1000 B.C.-1 A.D., Africa, 2000-1000 B.C.