The was scepter is a long staff with the stylized head of an animal at the top and a forked end at the bottom. In ancient Egyptian art it is held by gods and kings and stands for power and dominion.
What it looks like
The head at the top looks like a dog or a donkey, and is often thought to represent the animal of the god Seth. The forked bottom may have been used to pin down snakes. Scepters like this may come from the herding sticks used by shepherds.
What it meant
Gods are often shown holding the was scepter together with the ankh, the sign of life, and the djed pillar, the sign of stability. Together they promised the king life, stability and power. The was sign also appears in the name of Thebes, Waset in Egyptian. On temple walls, two was scepters often hold up the hieroglyph for the sky.
Where to see it
Look for it on almost every temple wall in Luxor and on objects from the tomb of Tutankhamun at the Grand Egyptian Museum. Read more about ancient Egyptian symbols.
