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The ancient Egyptians believed that this rectangular rod had magical power. It was buried in a tomb to protect the dead in the afterlife. A carved lion sits on top, at either end of the rod. These lions symbolize the horizon. Each day, the sun god, Re, rose over the eastern horizon, set in the west, then traveled through the underworld at night. This rod magically enacts the journey of the sun. The Egyptians believed that the dead would travel through the underworld with Re. And so the dead would be reborn with the rising sun. All of the animals on the magic rod represent enemies or helpers of the sun. Between the lions sit two crocodiles, two frogs or toads, and a turtle.

Look closely at the carvings on the side of the rod. At either end you’ll see a large eye. This is the eye of the god Horus, a symbol of protection and rebirth called a wedjat. Beside each wedjat eye sits a baboon with a lamp. You’ll also see another crocodile and a lion carved on the side of the rod. And can you find a cat?