Tyet Knot of Isis: An Ancient Egyptian Symbol of Protection and Life

The Goddess Isis and the Tyet

The Tyet knot is inextricably linked to the goddess Isis, one of the most important and beloved deities in the ancient Egyptian pantheon. Isis was revered as the goddess of magic, motherhood, healing, and funerary rites. She was the divine mother, wife of Osiris, and mother of Horus. The Tyet became her distinctive symbol, representing her immense power, particularly her magical ability to protect and revive. Its association with her underscored its role as a potent amulet against harm and a source of divine protection.

Symbolic Meaning of the Tyet Knot

The Tyet knot carried a rich array of symbolic meanings:

• Protection: This was its foremost function. Egyptians believed the Tyet amulet provided powerful protection for both the living and the dead. It guarded against evil forces, sickness, and all forms of danger.
• Life and Welfare: Like the ankh, the Tyet symbolized life itself, good health, and general welfare. It ensured the vitality of the wearer or deceased.
• Resurrection and Regeneration: Given its strong link to Isis, who resurrected her husband Osiris, the Tyet was deeply connected to the concepts of resurrection and eternal life. In funerary contexts, it helped the deceased achieve rebirth in the afterlife.
• Isis’s Power: The knot embodied Isis’s magical powers, wisdom, and maternal care. It was a tangible representation of her divine influence.
• Textually, some people refer to the Tyet as the “Blood of Isis.” This interpretation connects it to the goddess’s vital essence or her blood’s protective power, which could ward off evil. The red color artisans often used for Tyet amulets reinforced this association.