Summary

• Scarab Beetle symbolized life, regeneration, and resurrection, and it was associated with the sun god Khepri, representing divine manifestation.
• They started as button seals, and evolved into ornamental amulets in the Middle Kingdom, widely used in the New Kingdom, even in mummies’ bandages.
• Crafted from stone, Egyptian faience, glazed blue or green, from common varieties to rare ones bearing royal names, mass-produced over time.
• Used as protective amulets, talismans, and seals inscribed with blessings, spells for good luck, warding off evil, and ensuring safe passage into the afterlife.
• Heart Scarabs for mummification, Funerary Scarabs for protection, Amuletic Scarabs as charms, Royal Commemorative Scarabs glorifying rulers, Administrative Scarabs for authentication, and Sacred Scarabs as religious offerings.

One of the most important ancient Egyptian symbols in the history of ancient Egyptian civilization is the Egyptian Scarab Beetle, which was featured in ancient Egyptian art, iconography, and ancient Egyptian religion. It represented life, regeneration, and resurrection. Everything began when the beetle rolled its dung into a ball and laid its eggs in it; the dung acted as food for the young when they hatched, which acts as perfect imagery of life rising from death.

The symbol became directly associated with the divine manifestation of the sun god Khepri, the assistant of Ra, who rolls the morning sun disk over the eastern horizon at daybreak. The scarab hieroglyph refers to the ideas of existence, manifestation, development, effectiveness, growth, and divine manifestation.

Egyptian Scarab Beetle Facts

The Egyptian Scarab Beetle was carved from stone or molded from Egyptian faience; they would first be carved from glazed blue or green and then fired up. A soft stone called Steatite that hardens when fired is called Steatite. The most common scarabs were the hardstone made from amethyst, green jasper, and carnelian. The beetle symbol came in the shape of an amulet that existed throughout all the periods of ancient Egypt when it first appeared in the late Egyptian old kingdom (2575-2130 BC), and they evolved from what was known as button seals.

They were extremely rare, but by the time of Egypt’s middle kingdom (1938 1630 BC), they were created in great numbers where they were used as ornaments and an amulet, especially in Egypt’s new kingdom (1539-1075 BC) as large Scarab was placed in the bandages of Egyptian mummies to represent the heart of the deceased. The symbol appeared many times in the holy book of the Dead.

The Scarab was shaped like a seal, and there were many clay sealings. The Egyptian Scarab Beetle was used to describe the titles of officials, places, and even different deities. When combined with a prayer like “With Ra Behind There Is Nothing To Fear” it was considered a sign of a good omen. In the 11th dynasty, the most valuable class of scarabs were the ones bearing royal names.

Most of the names of the Hyksos dynasts have been known due to the recovered collections of Scarabs. The scarab was imported by ancient traders from the Mediterranean, Mesopotamia, Levant, and the Middle East; even today, the scarab is still considered a typical product of present-day forgers.

The Symbolism & Meaning Of Scarab Beetles in Egypt

The scarab is known to have deep meaning and rich symbolism that was essential to the society of the ancient Egyptians. It was worshipped by a sun god named Khepri, who was referred to as Ra, the creator of the cosmos. It was the true embodiment of the divine manifestation of the morning sun. Its behavior of emerging from dung balls represents the cycle of life and death. The scarab beetle was depicted as pushing the sun across the sky with a deep connection to Ra, which symbolizes renewal each day. The scarab was found in everything from amulets to hieroglyphs, sculptures, jewelry, amulets, and various works of art. It was a symbol of a protective force that prevented everyone from death & sickness, plus granted everyone the grace of rebirth, growth, manifestation, eternity, and resurrection.

Scarabs served as protective amulets and talismans, which were crafted from various materials and inscribed with blessings or magical spells that were believed to bring good luck, ward off evil, and ensure a safe journey into the afterlife, plus offer a gateway to a new form of existence. It was even placed among mummy wrappings or worn as jewelry, which provided protection and guidance for the deceased. Scarabs were used as seals, with designs or inscriptions carved on their flat bottoms to create impressions in clay or other materials. These seal impressions were used for administrative, religious, or personal purposes, serving as marks of authenticity or ownership. Scarabs were also employed to commemorate events or convey political and personal statements. Pharaohs and important figures commissioned scarabs with inscriptions celebrating victories, building projects, or other significant achievements.

Types of Scarabs

The types of scarabs found in Egypt vary as each type was used for a different purpose across the ancient Egyptian social fabric. These types include:

The Heart Scarabs are placed on the chest during mummification, which replaces the heart and contains spells from the Book of the Dead to aid the deceased in the afterlife. The Funerary Scarabs are associated with burial rituals that were placed among mummy wrappings or worn as jewelry, featuring inscriptions about protection and resurrection. The Amuletic Scarabs were worn for protection and featured symbols or inscriptions of protective spells. They were carried as charms by individuals seeking the beetle’s symbolic protection. The Royal Commemorative Scarabs were commissioned by the Pharaohs to commemorate victories or achievements; these scarabs glorified the ruler and symbolized power and success.

The Administrative Scarabs are used as seals for documents that bear the owner’s name and authenticated administrative or legal paperwork when pressed into clay or other materials. Name Scarabs are personal identifiers featuring the names and titles of individuals, used by officials and elites to mark possessions or as a form of personal branding. The Transformational Scarabs depicted a beetle pushing a solar disk, symbolizing the sun’s journey and transformation; these scarabs were associated with the solar aspects of the scarab beetle and linked to the sun god Ra. The Sacred Scarabs are crafted as religious offerings that were placed in temples or tombs as votive offerings to deities, symbolizing the religious significance of the beetle.