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Egyptian Artifacts

Hippos and Hedgehogs!

There are a couple of things I always look for when I go to a museum and the blue 𓇅𓆓𓏛 faience π“‹£π“ˆ–π“π“Έπ“Ό hippos π“Œ‰π“π“ƒ―π“¦ are one of them! The little hedgehogs π“Ž›π“ˆ–π“π“­π“„›π“ͺ in this display are a nice plus too because they are so cute!Β 

Hippos and Hedgehogs
Me with the Hippos and Hedgehogs at the Brooklyn Museum!

The the blue 𓇅𓆓𓏛 faience π“‹£π“ˆ–π“π“Έπ“Ό hippo π“Œ‰π“π“ƒ―π“¦ was made between the 12th and 17th Dynasties. In Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, hippos π“Œ‰π“π“ƒ―π“¦ were both feared and respected π“ˆ™π“†‘π“„…. They were feared because they were one of the most dangerous animals in the Nile Valley 𓇗. However, hippos π“Œ‰π“π“ƒ―π“¦ were also thought to be powerful protectors π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ against evil π“ƒ€π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“π“…¨! William has lotus flowers 𓆸π“ͺ painted all over him to associate it with rejuvenation! William is most likely painted blue 𓇅𓆓𓏛 to represent the Nile π“‡‹π“π“‚‹π“…±π“ˆ—π“ˆ˜π“ˆ‡π“Ί and rebirth π“„Ÿπ“Ώπ“…±.

Hippos and Hedgehogs
Hippos and Hedgehogs!

In ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, the hedgehog π“Ž›π“ˆ–π“π“­π“„› was associated with rebirth π“„Ÿπ“Ώπ“…±, which is a concept central to the ancient Egyptian religion. This association occurred because when food 𓇬𓀁𓅱𓏔π“₯ is scarce, hedgehogs π“Ž›π“ˆ–π“π“­π“„›π“ͺ will retreat into their underground burrows for long periods of time. Hedgehogs π“Ž›π“ˆ–π“π“­π“„›π“ͺ only re-emerge from their burrows during times of food 𓇬𓀁𓅱𓏔π“₯ abundance. This disappearing/appearing pattern strongly correlated with the concept of rebirth π“„Ÿπ“Ώπ“…± to the ancient Egyptians. 

The hedgehogs π“Ž›π“ˆ–π“π“­π“„›π“ͺ in this display are made out of blue 𓇅𓆓𓏛 faience π“‹£π“ˆ–π“π“Έπ“Ό just like the hippopotamus π“Œ‰π“π“ƒ―!

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost. 

@ancientegyptblogΒ