Symbols for Egypt

Ancient Egyptian History for kids - Symbols for Egypt & their Meanings

The history of ancient Egypt and the significance and meanings of ancient Symbols for Egypt

Pictures and Facts about the Symbols for Egypt
The ancient Egyptians used many symbols and signs to convey stories and meanings to the people of ancient Egypt. Our illustrated guide contains pictures and descriptions of the icons and Symbols for Egypt. The following chart, or fact sheet, provides pictures and interesting facts about the symbols of Egypt.

Pictures and Facts about the Symbols for Egypt
Symbols for Egypt	Pictures of Symbols for Egypt	Description and facts about the symbols for Egypt
Egyptian Symbols: The Pyramids		The pyramids were massive memorials with a square base and four triangular sides that were built as royal tombs in ancient Egypt
Egyptian Symbols: Tutankhamen		Tutankhamen was an insignificant Egyptian Pharaoh made famous by the discovery of his fantastic tomb by Howard Carter
Egyptian Symbols: The Sphinx		The Sphinx is one of the most iconic symbols for Egypt. The most famous sphinx is situated at Giza. The mythical sphinx has haunches of a lion, the wings of a great bird, and the face of a woman
Egyptian Symbols: Hieroglyphics		Hieroglyphics are characters in any system of writing in which symbols represent objects (such as animals or boats) and ideas (such as happiness, motion and time).
Egyptian Symbols: The Cartouche		The Cartouche is depicted in many hieroglyphics. A cartouche is an oblong magical rope which was drawn to contain the Egyptian hieroglyphics that spelt out the name of a Pharaoh. The picture of the cartouche belongs to Tutankhamen
Egyptian Symbols: The Eye of Ra		The Eye of Ra, also known as the Eye of Horus, was used as an amulet or talisman worn by both the living and the dead
Egyptian Symbols: The Ankh		The Ankh is sacred emblem, symbolizing regeneration or enduring life.
Egyptian Symbols: Nemes striped headdress		The Nemes was the striped head cloth worn by the pharaohs as a ceremonial headdress.
Egyptian Symbols: The False Beards		Pharaohs, queens and gods were depicted a false plaited beard that was hooked behind the ears. Beards with an upward pointing curl were called an “osird” or “the divine beard". Living pharaohs wore a beard with a straight edge. The picture is Queen Hatshepsut
Egyptian Symbols: The Scarab		The sacred Scarab Symbol ensured the deceased would be fearless when the heart was weighed against the feather of truth during the  ceremony of justification in the Afterlife.
Egyptian Symbols: The Lotus		The Lotus Flower is depicted on ancient Egyptian architecture, especially on the capitals (tops) of Egyptian pillars. The lotus, water lily, symbolized the sun, of creation, rebirth and regeneration
Egyptian Symbols: Winged Sun Symbol		The Winged Sun symbol represented divinity, royalty and power
Egyptian Symbols: The Winged Goddess		The goddess Maat is sometimes depicted as a winged goddess with outspread wings attached to her arms
Egyptian Symbols: Canopic Jars		During the process of mummification the liver, lungs, stomach and intestines were placed in special containers called canopic jars protected by four different gods who were the Sons of Horus
Egyptian Symbols: The Feather of Maat		The Feather of Maat represented truth, justice, morality and balance.
Symbols for Egypt: The Solar Boat		Ra, the Supreme Solar God was believed to travel across the sky each day in a Solar boat, and pass through the realms of the underworld (Duat) each night
Symbols for Egypt: The Uraeus		The Uraeus was the rearing cobra symbol represented on the front of the headdresses of gods and pharaohs as an emblem of supreme power and authority.
Symbols for Egypt: Obelisks		Obelisks were prominent in the architecture of the ancient Egyptians, who placed them in pairs at the entrance of temples. Obelisks were a symbol of sun-worship
Symbols for Egypt: The Sun Disk		The solar god Ra was usually depicted in human form with a falcon head, crowned with the sun disk encircled by the Uraeus. "Aten" was the traditional name for the sun-disk
Symbols for Egypt: The Was Scepter		The 'Was Scepter' was a long staff, topped with a symbolic animal head, believed to embody magical powers, symbolizing divine power and authority, held by gods and royalty
Symbols for Egypt: The Djed		The Djed symbol was a pillar-like symbol used in jewelry, amulets, hieroglyphics and representing stability
Symbols for Egypt: The Bennu Bird		The Phoenix-like Bennu bird is believed to be a divine bird returning to Egypt and the personification of the sun god Ra. It built its nest on top of the Benben stone
Symbols for Egypt: The Benben stone		The sacred Ben-Ben Stone was a pyramid-shaped capstone on top of an obelisk.
Symbols for Egypt: The Crook and Flail		The Flail held by the Pharaoh symbolized the role as provider of food for the people. The crook symbolized the role as the 'shepherd' of the people
Symbols for Egypt: The Ka (Soul)		The Ka and Ba are the names given to two parts of the soul. The Ka was the life-force and spiritual essence that was received at the instant of birth  in the first breath. The Ka symbol is associated with Heka, the Egyptian god of Magic
Symbols for Egypt: The Ba (Soul)		The Ba was the part of the soul believed to be able to fly and was able to leave the tomb and journey in the Underworld. The Ba is represented in ancient Egyptian art as a bird with a human head that symbolized the deceased
Symbols for Egypt: Circle of Ouroboros		The Circle of Ouroboros originated in Egypt symbolizing renewal and represented the travels of the sun disk. It depicts a snake eating its own tail
Symbols for Egypt: The Sistrum		A sistrum was a sacred rattle used in ancient Egypt
Symbols for Egypt: The Cow Horns crown		The cow horns crown worn by the goddesses Isis and Hathor. The crown consisted of head horns surrounding a sun disk, often with a uraeus cobra symbol
Symbols for Egypt: The Vulture Headdress		The Royal Vulture Crown consisted of a falcon feather headdress with its wings spread round her head in the act of protection
Symbols for Egypt: The Khepresh Crown		The Khepresh was the blue crown that was worn by Pharaohs in battle
Symbols for Egypt: The Deshret Crown		The Red Crown of Egypt was the symbol that represented Lower Egypt (the North of Egypt)
Symbols for Egypt: The Hedjet Crown		The White Crown represented Upper Egypt (the South of Egypt)
Symbols for Egypt: The Pshent Crown		The Pshent, the red and white Double Crown, represented a unified Egypt
Symbols for Egypt: The Atef Crown		The Atef crown was worn by Osiris, the god of death and was a tall, conical, white crown with ostrich feathers on each side.
Symbols for Egypt	Pictures of Symbols for Egypt	Description and facts about the symbols for Egypt
Pictures and Facts about the Symbols for Egypt

Pictures and Facts about the Symbols for Egypt - Animal Headed Gods
The ancient Egyptians used many symbols and signs to convey stories and meanings to the people of ancient Egypt. As there were over 2000 ancient Egyptian gods it was also necessary for Egyptians to be able to recognize depictions of the major gods. Many of their gods were also perceived as 'human hybrids'  depicted with human bodies with the heads of animals and these have also become symbols for Egypt. The ancient Egyptians did not usually worship animals as such, these symbols were used as a recognition aid and a device to visually convey the powers, identity and attributes of the gods and goddesses.