Tag: taweret

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Hippos at Animal Kingdom

Hippos π“Œ‰π“π“ƒ―π“¦ are one of my favorite animals and I was so excited to see them so close on the animal trails at Disney’s Animal Kingdom!Β Hippos π“Œ‰π“π“ƒ―π“¦ are on of my favorite animals not only because of ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, but also because of the blue hippo π“Œ‰π“π“ƒ― on “It’s a Small World.”

Fun fact: hippos 𓐍𓃀𓃯𓏦 actually don’t swim much in the water π“ˆ— – they like to walk along the bottom of bodies of water π“ˆ—! Why? Swimming expends too much energy!Β 

Hippos at Animal Kingdom
A Hippo at Animal Kingdom!

The hippopotamus 𓐍𓃀𓃯 is one of the animals that appears frequently in Egyptian imagery 𓏏𓅱𓏏 starting from the predynastic period! This is because the people of the Nile π“‡‹π“π“‚‹π“…±π“ˆ—π“ˆ˜π“ˆ‡π“Ί needed to always be on their guard in regards to hippos π“Œ‰π“π“ƒ―π“¦ since they could dominate both the land 𓇾𓇾 and the water π“ˆ—. 

Hippos 𓂧𓃀𓃯𓏦 are indigenous to the Nile River π“‡‹π“π“‚‹π“…±π“ˆ—π“ˆ˜π“ˆ‡π“Ί, unfortunately though, they are now extinct in Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–. Just like animal species today, human expansion into habitats also played a role in population decline during ancient times. 

Even as ancient Egyptian culture evolved over thousands 𓆼𓆼𓆼 of years, Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ both feared and revered π“‡‹π“Œ΄π“„ͺ hippos π“Œ‰π“π“ƒ―π“¦ due to their strength 𓄇𓏏𓂝𓏭 and power. While hippos 𓂧𓃀𓃯𓏦 were the most feared animals along the Nile π“‡‹π“π“‚‹π“…±π“ˆ—π“ˆ˜π“ˆ‡π“Ί, images 𓅱𓏏𓅱π“ͺ of them could offer protection π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ, such as in the form of amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ!Β 

Hippos at Animal Kingdom
A Hippo at Animal Kingdom!

Taweret 𓏏𓄿𓅩𓂋𓏏𓆗 is a fierce Egyptian goddess π“ŠΉπ“ who is associated with childbirth. Taweret 𓏏𓄿𓅩𓂋𓏏𓆗 is always represented as a pregnant hippopotamus 𓂧𓇋𓃀𓃯 and was a household deity – she didn’t have any temples π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰π“ͺ dedicated to her specifically! 

Here are some ways you can write hippopotamus in hieroglyphs: 

π“Œ‰π“π“ƒ―

𓐍𓃀𓃯

𓂧𓃀𓃯

𓂧𓇋𓃀𓃯

𓃯𓏺 

I hope you’re enjoying my β€œAncient Egypt in Disney” series! Next time you’re in Disney, be sure to check out the Hippos at Animal Kingdom! They can be found on the animal trails and also on the ride Kilimanjaro Safari!

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

@ancientegyptblogΒ 

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Egyptian Artifacts

Late Period Faience Amulets

These are some Late Period faience amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ! Amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ were protective symbols that could be used by either the living π“‹Ήπ“ˆ–π“ or the dead 𓅓𓏏𓏱 and each amulet π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…† had its own power based on the image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 it represented.Β 

The first amulet π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…† on the left is Shu 𓇋𓅱𓀭, the god π“ŠΉ of the air and atmosphere. In the Egyptian creation myth, Shu 𓇋𓅱𓀭 raised the atmosphere from the Earth’s 𓇾𓇾 surface, separating the two 𓏻. Shu 𓇋𓅱𓀭 was often worshipped 𓇼𓄿𓀒 by sailors, who were looking for favorable winds π“‡‹π“‡¬π“ˆ–π“…±π“Š‘π“¦! 

The next two 𓏻 amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ are different representations of the god π“ŠΉ Khnum π“ŽΈπ“π“€­. Khnum π“ŽΈπ“π“€­ is usually represented as a ram and is one of the oldest Egyptian deities π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ – evidence of worship 𓇼𓄿𓀒 dates back to the First Dynasty!! Khnum π“ŽΈπ“π“€­ is the god π“ŠΉ of the Nile River π“‡‹π“π“‚‹π“…±π“ˆ—π“ˆ˜π“ˆ‡π“Ί and fertility. In the creation myth, Khnum π“ŽΈπ“π“€­ is said to have created all of the world’s people on his potter’s wheel. He is associated with Ptah π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“±, who created the heavens π“Šͺ𓏏𓇯 and Earth 𓇾𓇾 on a potter’s wheel. 

The next two 𓏻 amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ are a hare 𓃹𓏺 and an Apis Bull π“Ž›π“‘π“Šͺ𓃒. The hare 𓃹𓏺 amulet was thought to have regenerative powers, and in a funerary context, would help the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 be reborn π“„Ÿπ“Ώπ“…± in the afterlife 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐. The Apis Bull π“Ž›π“‘π“Šͺ𓃒 was associated with fertility and rebirth π“„Ÿπ“Ώπ“…± and was mostly worshipped 𓇼𓄿𓀒 in Memphis π“ π“ˆ–π“„€π“†‘π“‚‹π“‰΄π“Š–. 

Taweret 𓏏𓄿𓅩𓂋𓏏𓆗 is a fierce Egyptian goddess π“ŠΉπ“ who is associated with childbirth. Women who were pregnant would wear amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ of Taweret 𓏏𓄿𓅩𓂋𓏏𓆗 for protection. Taweret 𓏏𓄿𓅩𓂋𓏏𓆗 is always represented as a pregnant hippopotamus π“Œ‰π“π“ƒ― and was a household deity – she didn’t have any temples π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰π“ͺ dedicated to her specifically. 

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Egyptian Artifacts

The Temple of Dendur and the Crocodile!

Being at the Temple of Dendur is just so relaxing to me. I just love being in this room – I have so many amazing memories here with my Nonno and my sister π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“ who is in the picture 𓏏𓅱𓏏 with me! I could literally just sit in here for hours and just exist.

One of my favorite things as a kid was the little crocodile π“…“π“‹΄π“Ž›π“†Œ statue that’s in the β€œriver” that goes around the temple! I always thought it was so cool! The ancient Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ both feared and worshipped crocodiles π“…“π“‹΄π“Ž›π“†Œπ“¦. Sobek π“‹΄π“ƒ€π“Ž‘π“†‹, the god π“ŠΉ with the head of a crocodile π“…“π“‹΄π“Ž›π“†Œ was worshipped from the time of Narmer all the way through the Roman period. He was a fertility god π“ŠΉ, associated with the annual flooding of the Nile π“‡‹π“π“‚‹π“…±π“ˆ—π“ˆ˜π“ˆ‡π“Ί.

Sobek π“‹΄π“ƒ€π“Ž‘π“†‹ also represented the power and might of the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 because crocodiles π“…“π“‹΄π“Ž›π“†Œπ“¦ are incredibly strong – and were a constant threat to those living along the Nile π“‡‹π“π“‚‹π“…±π“ˆ—π“ˆ˜π“ˆ‡π“Ί. Sobek π“‹΄π“ƒ€π“Ž‘π“†‹ is the son π“…­ of the war goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Neith π“ˆ–π“π“‹Œπ“€­ and is sometimes referenced as being the son π“…­ of Seth π“Šƒπ“π“„‘π“£. Hundreds of crocodile π“…“π“‹΄π“Ž›π“†Œ mummies have been found in Faiyum and other places in Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, most likely as way to appease Sobek π“‹΄π“ƒ€π“Ž‘π“†‹.

Taweret 𓏏𓄿𓅩𓂋𓏏𓆗, another crocodile π“…“π“‹΄π“Ž›π“†Œ goddess π“ŠΉπ“ is associated with female fertility and childbirth.

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Blog Egyptian Artifacts

Look at all the Hippos!

Look at all the hippos π“Œ‰π“π“ƒ―π“¦!!! So I have a story: The first time I ever went to Disney World, I went with my Nonno and Nonna and I think I was four years old at the time! When we went on β€œIt’s a Small World,” I fell in love with the hippo π“Œ‰π“π“ƒ― that winks at you! The hippo π“Œ‰π“π“ƒ― became my favorite part of the ride, and even to this day, I look forward to seeing the hippo π“Œ‰π“π“ƒ―! And yes I’m sure this is an unpopular opinion but I LOVE going on β€œIt’s a Small World!” It’s one of my favorites!!!

The winking hippo in “It’s a Small World”

So when I started studying ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– with my Nonno, I always loved the hippo π“Œ‰π“π“ƒ― statues because they reminded me of the hippo π“Œ‰π“π“ƒ― on β€œIt’s a Small World!” I have included a picture of the hippo π“Œ‰π“π“ƒ― in Disney World so you guys can also see the similarities!

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!

Hippo artifacts at the MET

A lot of the hippos π“Œ‰π“π“ƒ―π“¦ have lotus flowers 𓆸π“ͺ painted all over them to associate them with rejuvenation! The hippos π“Œ‰π“π“ƒ―π“¦ are most likely painted blue/green 𓇅𓆓𓏛 to represent the Nile π“‡‹π“π“‚‹π“…±π“ˆ—π“ˆ˜π“ˆ‡π“Ί and rebirth. What’s really cool is that the β€œIt’s a Small World” hippo π“Œ‰π“π“ƒ― also has flowers painted on it!

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Egyptian Artifacts

Amulets of Taweret

Here are some faience π“‹£π“ˆ–π“π“Έπ“Ό amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ of the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Taweret 𓏏𓄿𓅩𓂋𓏏𓆗! More people are now familiar with Taweret 𓏏𓄿𓅩𓂋𓏏𓆗 because of Moon Knight, but let’s dive into some history/information about her!

While the ancient Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ both feared and revered π“‡‹π“Œ΄π“„ͺ hippos π“Œ‰π“π“ƒ―π“¦ due to their strength and power, Taweret 𓏏𓄿𓅩𓂋𓏏𓆗 was a goddess π“ŠΉπ“ who was a protector π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ of women π“Šƒπ“π“‚‘π“π“π“ͺ and children π“π“‡Œπ“€•π“ͺ! The name π“‚‹π“ˆ– Taweret 𓏏𓄿𓅩𓂋𓏏𓆗 actually means β€œthe great (female) one!” That is certainly a name π“‚‹π“ˆ– that suits her!

While many amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ were usually placed on mummies 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾π“ͺ to help the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 on their journey to the Duat 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐 (afterlife), amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ of Taweret 𓏏𓄿𓅩𓂋𓏏𓆗 were usually found in homes because she was a goddess π“ŠΉπ“ who was essential to family 𓅕𓉔𓅱𓏏𓀀𓁐𓏦 life. The family 𓅕𓉔𓅱𓏏𓀀𓁐𓏦 unit was an incredibly important feature not only in daily life π“‹Ή, but in religious observances as well. The amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ of Taweret 𓏏𓄿𓅩𓂋𓏏𓆗 would provide protection π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ in the home, especially during childbirth, which was quite deadly for mothers 𓄿𓏏𓁐π“ͺ at the time. For this reason, Taweret 𓏏𓄿𓅩𓂋𓏏𓆗 was usually worshipped in the home instead of in temples π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰π“ͺ!

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Egyptian Artifacts

Amulets of Ra-Horakhty, Amun, and Taweret

I love tiny π“ˆ–π“†“π“‹΄π“…© things and amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ are no exception! Here are three 𓏼 beautiful π“„€ faience π“‹£π“ˆ–π“π“Έπ“Ό amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ of Ra-Horakhty π“…Šπ“”π“”π“€, Amun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“€­, and Taweret 𓏏𓄿𓅩𓂋𓏏𓆗!

Ra 𓇳𓏺𓁛 is considered by historians to be Egypt’s most important deity π“ŠΉ. Ra 𓇳𓏺𓁛 is an ancient deity π“ŠΉ who combined with many different solar and cosmic gods throughout Egyptian history. Ra-Horakhty π“…Šπ“”π“”π“€ is the combination of Ra 𓇳𓏺𓁛 and Horus π“…ƒπ“€­. Ra-Horakhty π“…Šπ“”π“”π“€ is the god π“ŠΉ of the morning sun π“…ƒπ“ˆŒπ“π“­π“€­. Images 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓏦 and depictions of Ra-Horakhty π“…Šπ“”π“”π“€ became more prominent during the Late Period.

Amun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“€­ is also considered to be one of the most important gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ in the Egyptian pantheon and was first mentioned in the Pyramid Texts. Amun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“€­ had many different roles and was worshipped 𓇼𓄿𓀒 as a creator god, solar god, fertility god, warrior god, and king of the gods. Amun’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“€­ is also considered the β€œuniversal god” meaning that his power permeated the cosmos and all that the cosmos contained!

While the ancient Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ both feared and revered π“‡‹π“Œ΄π“„ͺ hippos π“Œ‰π“π“ƒ―π“¦ due to their strength and power, Taweret 𓏏𓄿𓅩𓂋𓏏𓆗 was a goddess π“ŠΉπ“ who was a protector π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ of women π“Šƒπ“π“‚‘π“π“π“ͺ and children π“π“‡Œπ“€•π“ͺ! The name π“‚‹π“ˆ– Taweret 𓏏𓄿𓅩𓂋𓏏𓆗 actually means β€œthe great (female) one!” That is certainly a name π“‚‹π“ˆ– that suits her!

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Egyptian Artifacts

The Goddess Taweret

Taweret at The MET (photo by Amanda)

Here is a gorgeous π“„€ (and ADORABLE) faience π“‹£π“ˆ–π“π“Έπ“Ό amulet π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†/statue π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύ of the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Taweret 𓏏𓄿𓅩𓂋𓏏𓆗! More people are now familiar with Taweret 𓏏𓄿𓅩𓂋𓏏𓆗 because of Moon Knight, but let’s dive into some history/information about her because I think she’s an amazing figure in the Egyptian pantheon!

While the ancient Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ both feared and revered π“‡‹π“Œ΄π“„ͺ hippos π“Œ‰π“π“ƒ―π“¦ due to their strength and power, Taweret 𓏏𓄿𓅩𓂋𓏏𓆗 was a goddess π“ŠΉπ“ who was a protector π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ of women π“Šƒπ“π“‚‘π“π“π“ͺ and children π“π“‡Œπ“€•π“ͺ! The name π“‚‹π“ˆ– Taweret 𓏏𓄿𓅩𓂋𓏏𓆗 actually means β€œthe great (female) one!” That is certainly a name π“‚‹π“ˆ– that suits her!

While many amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ were usually placed on mummies 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾π“ͺ to help the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 on their journey to the Duat 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐 (afterlife), amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ of Taweret 𓏏𓄿𓅩𓂋𓏏𓆗 were usually found in homes because she was a goddess π“ŠΉπ“ who was essential to family 𓅕𓉔𓅱𓏏𓀀𓁐𓏦 life.

The amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ of Taweret 𓏏𓄿𓅩𓂋𓏏𓆗 would provide protection π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ in the home, especially during childbirth, which was quite deadly for mothers 𓅐𓏏𓁐π“ͺ at the time. For this reason, Taweret 𓏏𓄿𓅩𓂋𓏏𓆗 was usually worshipped in the home instead of in temples π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰π“ͺ!

Taweret 𓏏𓄿𓅩𓂋𓏏𓆗 was a goddess π“ŠΉπ“ who was also associated with the inundation of the Nile River π“‡‹π“π“‚‹π“…±π“ˆ—π“ˆ˜π“ˆ‡π“Ί. Since the Nile River π“‡‹π“π“‚‹π“…±π“ˆ—π“ˆ˜π“ˆ‡π“Ί needed to flood in order for the soil to be fertile enough for crops to grow, and Taweret 𓏏𓄿𓅩𓂋𓏏𓆗 was a goddess π“ŠΉπ“ of fertility, this association is perfect!

Taweret at The MET (photo by Amanda)