Egyptian Sacred Symbols: Ankh, Eye of Horus, Scarab & Divine Iconography
BY NICOLE LAU
Introduction to Egyptian Sacred Symbols
Ancient Egypt developed one of the most sophisticated and enduring symbolic languages in human history. For over three thousand years, Egyptian sacred symbols encoded profound spiritual truths, magical formulas, and cosmological principles that guided both the living and the dead.
These symbols were not mere decorations—they were living forces, imbued with heka (magic), capable of protecting, healing, transforming, and connecting the human with the divine. Carved on temple walls, inscribed on amulets, painted in tombs, and woven into daily life, Egyptian symbols formed a complete magical system that continues to resonate in Western esotericism today.
This guide explores the most powerful Egyptian sacred symbols, their meanings in ancient context, and their applications in modern spiritual practice.
The Ankh (ꜥnḫ): Key of Life
Ancient Egyptian Context
The ankh is perhaps the most recognizable symbol from ancient Egypt, appearing in countless hieroglyphic inscriptions, temple reliefs, and funerary art. The symbol consists of a cross with a loop at the top, and its name ꜥnḫ means 'life' or 'breath of life' in ancient Egyptian.
In Egyptian art, gods and goddesses are depicted holding the ankh to the nose of the pharaoh or the deceased, symbolizing the breath of eternal life being given. The ankh represented not just biological life, but the eternal life of the soul, the divine spark that animates all beings.
Symbolic Interpretations
Multiple interpretations of the ankh's form exist:
- Union of Opposites: The loop represents the feminine (womb, vulva), the vertical line represents the masculine (phallus), and the horizontal line represents their union—the child or eternal life that results from sacred marriage
- The Sun Rising: The loop as the sun on the horizon, the cross as the earth below
- The Nile: The loop as the river's delta, the vertical line as the river itself, the horizontal as the land it nourishes
- The Sandal Strap: A practical interpretation—the ankh resembles a sandal strap, representing the journey through life
- The Mirror: A hand mirror symbolizing reflection, self-knowledge, and seeing the divine within
Deities Associated with the Ankh
- Isis: Goddess of magic and motherhood, often shown holding the ankh
- Osiris: God of the afterlife, receives the ankh as symbol of resurrection
- Ra: Sun god, source of all life, gives the ankh to pharaohs
- Anubis: Guide of the dead, uses the ankh in funerary rites
Modern Magical Applications
The ankh is used in contemporary practice for:
- Vitality and Health: Wear as an amulet or visualize over the body to restore life force
- Eternal Life: Meditation on immortality of the soul, connection to eternal self
- Egyptian Deity Work: Offering the ankh to Isis, Osiris, or other Egyptian gods
- Energy Healing: Trace the ankh over the body or chakras to restore balance
- Sacred Union: Use in sex magic or partnership rituals to honor divine union
The Eye of Horus (Wadjet): Protection and Wholeness
Ancient Egyptian Context
The Eye of Horus, also called the wadjet (meaning 'whole' or 'healthy'), is one of the most powerful protective symbols in Egyptian magic. It represents the eye of the falcon-headed god Horus, which was torn out by Set during their battle for the throne of Egypt, then magically restored by Thoth.
The myth of the Eye of Horus encodes profound truths: the eye that is wounded becomes more powerful through healing, the fragmented becomes whole, and what is lost can be restored through magic and divine intervention.
Anatomical Symbolism
The Eye of Horus contains six distinct parts, each corresponding to one of the six senses and a fraction in the ancient Egyptian measurement system:
- The eyebrow: Thought (1/8)
- The pupil: Sight (1/4)
- The white of the eye: Hearing (1/2)
- The curved tail: Taste (1/16)
- The teardrop: Smell (1/32)
- The spiral: Touch (1/64)
Together these fractions equal 63/64, with the missing 1/64 representing the magic of Thoth that made the eye whole again—the divine intervention that completes what is incomplete.
Left Eye vs Right Eye
- Right Eye (Eye of Ra): Solar, masculine, active, aggressive protection, the sun
- Left Eye (Eye of Horus): Lunar, feminine, receptive, healing protection, the moon
Both eyes together represent the complete vision—solar and lunar, masculine and feminine, day and night.
Modern Magical Applications
The Eye of Horus is used for:
- Protection: Wear as an amulet, paint on doors, visualize as a shield
- Healing: Especially for eye problems, vision (physical or psychic), or restoring wholeness after trauma
- Psychic Vision: Opening the third eye, enhancing clairvoyance
- Wholeness: Integrating fragmented parts of self, shadow work, healing dissociation
- Mathematical Magic: Working with sacred geometry and proportions
The Scarab (Khepri): Transformation and Rebirth
Ancient Egyptian Context
The scarab beetle (kheper) was one of the most important symbols in ancient Egypt, representing transformation, rebirth, and the eternal cycle of the sun. The Egyptians observed scarab beetles rolling balls of dung across the sand and laying their eggs within them, from which new beetles emerged—a perfect metaphor for creation, transformation, and resurrection.
The scarab was associated with Khepri, the god of the rising sun, often depicted as a man with a scarab for a head. Khepri represented the sun at dawn, the moment of daily rebirth, and the creative force that brings new life from apparent death.
Funerary Significance
Scarab amulets were placed over the heart of the deceased during mummification. The 'heart scarab' was inscribed with Chapter 30B of the Book of the Dead, a spell that prevented the heart from testifying against the deceased during the weighing of the heart ceremony in the afterlife.
The scarab symbolized the deceased's hope for resurrection, just as the sun is reborn each morning and the beetle emerges from the dung ball.
Symbolic Meanings
- Self-Creation: The scarab was believed to be self-created, emerging spontaneously from matter
- Solar Cycle: Rolling the sun across the sky like the beetle rolls its dung ball
- Transformation: From egg to larva to beetle—the alchemical process in nature
- Resurrection: Death is not the end but a transformation into new life
- The Heart: The seat of consciousness, memory, and moral character
Modern Magical Applications
The scarab is used for:
- Transformation Magic: Major life changes, personal metamorphosis, alchemical work
- Rebirth: Starting over, phoenix rising from ashes, recovery from trauma
- Solar Magic: Working with sun energy, vitality, daily renewal
- Heart Work: Emotional healing, courage, integrity, speaking your truth
- Resurrection: Bringing dead projects back to life, reviving what was lost
The Lotus (Seshen): Purity and Spiritual Awakening
Ancient Egyptian Context
The lotus flower held profound significance in Egyptian religion and symbolism. The blue lotus (Nymphaea caerulea) and white lotus (Nymphaea lotus) both close at night and sink beneath the water, then rise and bloom again at dawn—a perfect symbol of death and rebirth, the sun's journey, and spiritual awakening.
The lotus was associated with creation myths: in one version, the primordial lotus rose from the waters of Nun (chaos) at the beginning of time, and from its petals emerged Ra, the sun god, bringing light to the world.
Symbolic Meanings
- Purity: The lotus grows in muddy water but blooms pristine and beautiful—spirit rising from matter
- Rebirth: Daily cycle of closing and opening mirrors death and resurrection
- Creation: The first flower from which the sun god emerged
- Upper and Lower Egypt: The lotus (Upper Egypt) and papyrus (Lower Egypt) together symbolized the unified kingdom
- Spiritual Awakening: The unfolding petals represent the opening of consciousness
Deities Associated with the Lotus
- Nefertem: God of the lotus, perfume, and healing, depicted with a lotus crown
- Ra: Born from the primordial lotus
- Isis and Nephthys: Often shown holding lotus flowers
Modern Magical Applications
The lotus is used for:
- Purification: Rising above negativity, maintaining purity in difficult circumstances
- Spiritual Awakening: Opening the crown chakra, enlightenment work
- Rebirth: Daily renewal, starting fresh, letting go of the past
- Beauty Magic: Inner and outer beauty, grace, elegance
- Creation Work: Birthing new projects, creative inspiration
The Djed Pillar: Stability and Resurrection
Ancient Egyptian Context
The djed pillar is one of the most ancient and mysterious Egyptian symbols, appearing in art from the earliest dynasties. It consists of a vertical shaft with four horizontal bars near the top, and its meaning has been debated by scholars for centuries.
The djed is most strongly associated with Osiris, god of the afterlife and resurrection. In myth, the djed represents Osiris's spine, and the 'Raising of the Djed' was an important ceremony during the Osiris festivals, symbolizing the god's resurrection and the stability of the kingdom.
Symbolic Interpretations
- Osiris's Spine: The backbone of the resurrected god, stability through death and rebirth
- Sacred Tree: A stylized tree trunk, axis mundi connecting earth and sky
- Sheaf of Grain: Agricultural abundance, the grain that dies and is reborn
- Four Elements: The four bars representing earth, water, air, and fire in balance
Modern Magical Applications
The djed is used for:
- Stability: Grounding, creating firm foundation, endurance
- Resurrection: Rising from defeat, comeback, phoenix energy
- Spinal Health: Kundalini work, energetic alignment, physical healing of the spine
- Osiris Work: Death and rebirth mysteries, underworld journeying
- Endurance: Standing firm through challenges, backbone, integrity
The Was Scepter: Power and Dominion
Ancient Egyptian Context
The was scepter is a staff with a forked base and an animal head (often the Set animal) at the top. It was a symbol of power and dominion, carried by gods and pharaohs to demonstrate their authority over the forces of chaos and their ability to maintain cosmic order (ma'at).
The was scepter appears in the hands of nearly every Egyptian deity and is often paired with the ankh and djed pillar in a triad representing 'power, life, and stability.'
Symbolic Meanings
- Divine Authority: The right to rule granted by the gods
- Control of Chaos: The Set animal head represents mastery over chaotic forces
- Magical Power: The staff as a tool for directing divine energy
- Dominion: Sovereignty over the land and its people
Modern Magical Applications
The was scepter is used for:
- Authority: Claiming your power, leadership, sovereignty
- Commanding Chaos: Bringing order to disorder, mastering difficult energies
- Magical Direction: Like a wand, directing will and energy
- Protection: Warding off chaotic or negative forces
Working with Egyptian Symbols in Modern Practice
Creating an Egyptian Altar
To honor Egyptian deities and work with their symbols:
- Direction: Face east (the direction of the rising sun and rebirth)
- Colors: Gold (sun, divinity), lapis blue (sky, truth), white (purity), black (fertile earth)
- Offerings: Bread, beer, incense (frankincense, myrrh, kyphi), lotus flowers, water
- Symbols: Place ankh, Eye of Horus, scarab, or other symbols on the altar
- Images: Statues or pictures of Egyptian deities you work with
Egyptian Amulet Magic
Traditional Egyptian magic relied heavily on amulets:
- Choose your symbol: Based on your intention (ankh for life, Eye of Horus for protection, etc.)
- Material: Traditionally faience, gold, lapis lazuli, carnelian, or turquoise
- Consecration: Recite a heka (spell) over the amulet, invoking the appropriate deity
- Activation: 'Open the mouth' of the amulet by touching it to your lips, giving it the breath of life
- Wear or place: Keep on your person or place in your home for ongoing protection/blessing
Invoking Egyptian Deities
When working with Egyptian symbols, you can invoke the associated deities:
- Ankh: 'Isis, Great of Magic, grant me the breath of life'
- Eye of Horus: 'Horus, Lord of the Sky, protect me with your sacred eye'
- Scarab: 'Khepri, God of Transformation, guide my rebirth'
- Lotus: 'Nefertem, Lord of Perfume, open my consciousness like the lotus at dawn'
Correspondences Table
| Symbol | Egyptian Name | Primary Deity | Core Meaning | Modern Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ankh | ꜥnḫ | Isis, Osiris | Life, breath, eternity | Vitality, healing, deity work |
| Eye of Horus | Wadjet | Horus, Thoth | Protection, wholeness | Protection, psychic vision |
| Scarab | Kheper | Khepri, Ra | Transformation, rebirth | Major change, resurrection |
| Lotus | Seshen | Nefertem, Ra | Purity, awakening | Spiritual growth, purification |
| Djed | Djed | Osiris, Ptah | Stability, resurrection | Grounding, endurance |
| Was Scepter | Was | Set, various gods | Power, dominion | Authority, commanding chaos |
Further Study
Primary Sources:
- The Egyptian Book of the Dead (translated by E.A. Wallis Budge or Raymond Faulkner)
- The Pyramid Texts - Oldest religious texts in the world
- The Coffin Texts - Middle Kingdom funerary spells
Modern Interpretations:
- The Complete Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt by Richard H. Wilkinson
- Egyptian Magic by E.A. Wallis Budge
- Awakening Osiris by Normandi Ellis - Poetic translation of Egyptian texts
- The Sacred Magic of Ancient Egypt by Rosemary Clark
Conclusion
Egyptian sacred symbols are not relics of a dead civilization—they are living keys to timeless spiritual truths. The ankh still carries the breath of life, the Eye of Horus still protects and heals, the scarab still transforms, and the lotus still opens to the light of consciousness.
These symbols have endured for over five thousand years because they encode universal principles: life and death, protection and healing, transformation and rebirth, purity and awakening. By working with them respectfully and understanding their deep meanings, we connect with one of humanity's oldest and most sophisticated magical traditions.
May the gods of Egypt guide your path. May you receive the ankh of eternal life.
