The Egyptian Scarab: Symbol of Resurrection and Immortality
The Egyptian scarab beetle held immense significance, representing themes of rebirth, transformation, and protection. Revered as a symbol of resurrection and immortality, the scarab played a pivotal role in Egyptian art, religion, and funerary practices, embodying profound cultural and spiritual meanings that endure to this day.
Symbolism and Mythology:
The Egyptian scarab beetle, known scientifically as Scarabaeus sacer, was revered for its association with the sun god, Ra, and its role in the divine cycle of life, death, and rebirth. The scarab’s habit of rolling balls of dung, which served as food and nesting sites, was seen as a metaphor for the sun’s daily journey across the sky and its role in the cycle of creation and renewal.
Amuletic and decorative use:
The Egyptian scarab’s symbolism extended to its use as an amulet and a decorative motif. Scarab amulets were crafted from various materials, such as precious metals, faience, and stone, and were worn as jewelry or incorporated into mummy wrappings. These amulets were believed to provide protection, ward off evil, and facilitate the journey to the afterlife.
Funerary Practices:
In the realm of funerary practices, the scarab held particular significance. Scarab amulets were often placed on the chest of the deceased in burial chambers, symbolizing the deceased’s journey through death and rebirth, as well as their protection by the divine forces associated with the scarab.
Artistic Representation:
The scarab was a common motif in Egyptian art, appearing in jewelry, seals, and other decorative objects. Its depiction often showcased the beetle with outstretched wings, an artistic representation that emphasized the transformative and protective qualities attributed to the scarab.
Legacy and Influence:
The enduring legacy of the scarab is evident in its continued presence in modern culture and its impact on the understanding of ancient Egyptian beliefs. Its symbolism as a potent emblem of regeneration, protection, and divine connection resonates across millennia, offering a window into the profound spiritual and cultural underpinnings of ancient Egypt.
The Egyptian scarab, with its profound symbolism and enduring legacy, serves as a testament to the intricate belief systems and cultural practices of ancient Egypt. Its representation as a harbinger of resurrection and immortality continues to captivate and inspire, underscoring the enduring power of this iconic symbol from a civilization rooted in mystique and wonder.
The scarab is prominent in Egypt, and souvenirs of the scarab are marketed everywhere. The beetle is represented in tombs and ancient temples all around Egypt. It was once thought to represent good luck and was also one of the ancient Egyptians’ depictions of the sun god Ra.
When the beetle was spotted rolling dung into a ball and then pushing it under the ground, the ancient Egyptians discovered this relationship between the sun and the beetle.
Similar to the solar deity Ra, who was the highest god of ancient Egypt and responsible for the provision of life, the baby beetle similarly emerges from the dung ball after being held within by its mother, signifying a new life. When it arrived early in the morning, it gave its owner good fortune and a fresh lease on life. The beetle’s name in ancient Egypt was “Khe-Ber,” which translates to “existence.”
Beetles that feed primarily or exclusively on feces are known as dung beetles. All of the species are members of the Scarabaeoidea superfamily, with the majority of them belonging to the Scarabaeinae and Aphodiinae subfamilies of the Scarabaeidae family (scarab beetles). Because most Scarabaeinae species feed exclusively on feces, the subfamily is known as real dung beetles.
Life on Earth is entirely dependent on dung beetles. Often called rollers, dung beetles spin excrement into spherical balls that many other insects use as food or nesting spaces. Another kind of dung beetle called a tunneler buries the excrement wherever they find it.
A third kind only lives in excrement; they don’t roll or burrow. Burrowing owls are usually drawn to their excrement. Rolling dung keeps planet seeds fertile, while burying dung keeps the soil healthy and provides a location for seeds to develop. These behaviors are meant to sustain life on our planet.
Other than humans, Egyptian scarab dung beetles are the only animals known to travel and orient themselves using the Milky Way.
