Thet
Commonly called the “Girdle of Isis” the Thet is associated with Isis (Aset) in the same way that the Djed is associated with Osiris. The Thet represents the powers of life, birth, and fertility. In all likelihood the image depicts exactly what the name ”Girdle of Isis” suggests –the Goddess’ Isis’ sash. A red sash of this sort was historically worn by Egyptian Queens, and also (tied differently) by women seeking children. Some however have chosen to interpret the image as depicting the Goddess’ internal organs, notably Her uterus –thus representing the cosmic mechanism of creation.
Was
Symbol of power and dominion the Was scepter is carried in artwork by persons or Deities who have rulership over others. The Was scepter, which is actually more like a staff, was an actual staff of office carried by certain Priests. The image at the top of the scepter depicts an animal of some sort, possibly the animal associated with the God Set (Who only took on a negative character in later Egyptian history).
Color Symbolism in Egyptian Thought
Black (Kem)
Black (Kem)
Black was the color of death and the afterworld, and is associated with afterlife Deities and with the tomb. However black was also the color of the rich Nile mud on which the fertility and wealth of Egypt was based. As a result black was a color of fertility, fecundity, and reproduction. In this sense black is also a color associated with rebirth and regeneration.
White (Hedj)
White was the color of purity and holiness.
White was the color of purity and holiness.
Green (Wadj)
Green was the color of vegetation and symbolic of life, growth, and fertility. Green represented good, positive things which ensure life and provide joy.
Green was the color of vegetation and symbolic of life, growth, and fertility. Green represented good, positive things which ensure life and provide joy.
Red (Desher)
Red was the color of blood and also of fire. Red was the color of life and vitality, but was also emblematic of destructive energies as well –passion, wrath, chaos. Red was the color of the desert and thus of all things beyond the pale of human ken.
Red was the color of blood and also of fire. Red was the color of life and vitality, but was also emblematic of destructive energies as well –passion, wrath, chaos. Red was the color of the desert and thus of all things beyond the pale of human ken.
Blue / Khesbedj
Blue was the color of the sky and of the waters, and in ancient thought these two things were often linked. Blue was a color of life, fertility, and rebirth. Blue was also (and still is in the middle east) a color of Divine protection, and many amulets were made of blue faience.
Yellow / Kenit
Yellow was the color of gold, symbol of all that is eternal and imperishable. Yellow was also associated with the Sun and thus with life and strength.