Symbols were everywhere in ancient Egypt: carved on temple walls, painted in tombs, worn as amulets and woven into royal regalia. Each had a meaning that any Egyptian would understand at a glance. Knowing the main ones makes a visit to Egypt’s monuments much richer.
The most important Egyptian symbols
The ankh
The sign of life, a cross with a loop at the top. Gods hold it to the nose of the king, giving him the breath of life. Christians in Egypt later adopted it as the Coptic cross.
The wedjat eye, a symbol of protection, healing and wholeness, worn as an amulet by the living and the dead.
The dung beetle, symbol of the rising sun and rebirth, linked to the god Khepri. Scarab amulets were among the most common in Egypt.
The djed pillar
A pillar with four crossbars, often called the backbone of Osiris. It stood for stability and endurance.
A staff with an animal head and forked base, carried by gods, standing for power and dominion.
The tyet
The knot of Isis, similar to an ankh with drooping arms, a symbol of protection, often made in red stone.
The crook and flail
Carried by the king and by Osiris, the shepherd’s crook stood for leadership and care, the flail for authority and the fertility of the land.
The lotus and papyrus
The lotus, which closes at night and opens at dawn, stood for rebirth and Upper Egypt. The papyrus stood for Lower Egypt. Tied together, they meant the unity of the Two Lands.
The cartouche
An oval loop of rope drawn around the name of a king or queen, protecting it for eternity. Many visitors buy one with their own name in hieroglyphs.
The winged sun disc
A sun disc with outstretched falcon wings, often carved above temple doorways, a symbol of Horus and divine protection.
The double crown
The white crown of Upper Egypt and the red crown of Lower Egypt combined, worn by the king as ruler of the whole country.
The shen ring
A circle of rope with a straight line at the bottom, meaning eternity and protection.
Symbols and hieroglyphs
Many symbols are also hieroglyphs. The ankh is the word for life, the djed for stability, and the was for power, and they are often written together as a blessing. Read about the ancient Egyptian language.
Where to see them
You will find these symbols on almost every monument in Egypt, and on the treasures of Tutankhamun at the Grand Egyptian Museum. Silver and gold versions are sold in Khan el-Khalili. See our Egypt tour packages.
