A scarab on ancient Egyptian jewellery

In the simplest form, amulets gave general protection. The ankh, for instance, was a sign of life, while the ‘djed’ pillar was a sign of stability. Many have a literal meaning: amulets often protect the part of the body they are fashioned after (in life or after death), while a snake’s head amulet would protect against snake bites.

Amulets could also give the wearer special powers; an eye would give sight and a hare would give speed, for example. The most important amulet was the scarab. This beetle rolls a ball of dung containing its eggs and so came to represent the passage of the sun through the sky and rebirth.