The meaning of scarab jewelry: everything you need to know

The Egyptian scarab was a true symbol of royal power, representing the sun god Khepri. Omnipresent in ancient Egypt, the commemorative scarab is a jewel that has survived the ages. The scarab is an Egyptian symbol that represents rebirth, transformation and eternal life.

The ancient Egyptians believed that the dung beetle pushed the sun into the sky. The scarab was a symbol of their god Khepri who pushed the sun in its course across the heavens. This is why it has become a symbol of rebirth, transformation and eternal life.

The ancient Egyptians also believed that when a person died, their soul was weighed against a feather or against "Ma'at", goddess of truth and justice. If they were found to be lighter than Ma'at, they would be granted passage to paradise.

The Egyptian scarab is illustrated on many ancient Egyptian jewelry as illustrated by the bracelet found in the tomb of Pharaoh Tutankhamun, made of carnelian and lapis lazuli.

The shapes, images of animals and stones chosen to make these gems form a whole intended to transmit the message of the afterlife.

What does the beetle mean?

The Egyptian scarab represents the sun god who is reborn every morning. For those who have passed away, this animal is the embodiment of rebirth. For the living, it symbolizes protection. The beetle symbolizes diligence and hard work. It is also a symbol of protection and anchoring.

The beetle is often used as a sign of luck or good fortune . There are many different interpretations of the meaning of this little creature. For example, some people see the scarab as a symbol of diligence and hard work, while others see it as a symbol of protection or grounding.

The first commemorative scarab was made for a pharaoh . It is a sacred scarab marked with a commemorative text. Around ten lines are in fact engraved on the square face of the bug. This text recalls an important event of the dynasty.

The Hyksos were the first Egyptian rulers to use this practice.
In turn, the ninth pharaoh of the 18th dynasty "Amenhotep III" produced several commemorative scarab specimens.

One of the first beetles was created to symbolize her marriage to Tiyi, the other associated with bull hunting (referring to Seth) and lion hunting (referring to power).

Without forgetting the commemorative scarab made in honor of his union with Princess Mittanian, daughter of King Mittani. In total, more than 250 examples of commemorative scarabs signed by Amenhotep III have been identified. The places where these memorial scarabs were found show the power of each king of Egypt.
This map details the geographic extent of their influence. In ancient Egypt, the scarab symbolized the rebirth of the Sun incarnated by the god Khepri.

The scarab, a symbol of rebirth

For the Egyptians, the scarab represented change and the future.

They also claim that this animal enjoys a continuum of biological states throughout life, a term often mentioned in ancient Egyptian funerary texts.
Egyptian scarabs are also placed in tombs between the bands instead of mummy hearts.

The reason is very simple. Egyptians found autonomy and self-sufficiency in beetles. In ancient Egypt, these "heartbeats" were also often seen with the inscription "Book of the Dead" on their abdomen.

The ancient Egyptians who gave way to beetles had the ultimate goal of walking with a light heart. To weigh the heart on the scales of Thoth, a perfect balance was required between the life of the deceased symbolized by the heart and the principles of justice.

Some claimed that the earth beetle prevented the deceased's heart from testifying against him.

The scarab ring, a powerful lucky charm

Beetles have different meanings. These insects are species of beetles with a very attractive appearance. You should already know that the Egyptians considered beetles as a sign of fertility. This applies to all areas of life.

In the years that followed, he found inspiration in the fields of economics and tourism. According to a proverb, the Egyptian scarab ring was the most powerful good luck charm of all.

He had many virtues. The scarab symbol inspired balance, harmony and prosperity. Scarab rings were therefore very popular jewelry. People gave them a protective nature and considered them valuable symbols of good luck.

Meaning of the scarab in different cultures

The scarab is not a universal symbol of good luck, and some cultures may associate the scarab with a negative meaning.

In Ghana, the beetle is considered an evil creature while it is a symbol of luck and good fortune in China and Brazil. While in Jewish culture it is a symbol of holiness. Some cultures believe the scarab brings luck and fortune, while others believe it brings holiness.

Beetles are often used to symbolize death in Mexico, but they symbolize luck in Africa. If you like little-known and atypical jewelry, we recommend our article on the meaning of cameo jewelry !