Facts about the Symbolism and Meaning of Blue in Ancient Egypt
Fascinating information and interesting facts about the Symbolism and Meanings of this color the fast and easy way via the Meaning of Blue Fact sheet.

Ancient Egypt - Symbolism and Meaning of Blue Fact Sheet

Fact 1 on Meaning of Blue: The Egyptian name for this color was 'khesbedj' and 'irtiu'.

Fact 2 on Meaning of Blue: The color represented the Sky, Water, the Heavens, Primeval Flood, Creation and Rebirth. The color is also associated with birth and rebirth because the annual flood of the River Nile brought fertility to the land.

Fact 3 on Meaning of Blue: The dark color of lapis lazuli symbolised fertility and good luck, as did feldspar which was a lighter color.

Fact 4 on Meaning of Blue: Indigo or blue came from either the indigo plant or from woad. The paint used for the color was made from copper silica, calcium, powdered azurite and lapis

Fact 5 on Meaning of Blue: The chemical compounds used to create dyes and pigments to produce the color included calcium copper silicate, azurite, ground lapis lazuli, combinations of sand, malachite, and natron and indigo.

Fact 6 on Meaning of Blue: The precious and semi-precious Blue colored Magical Stonesused by the ancient Egyptians included lapis lazuli, blue glass, faience, and turquoise.

Fact 7 on Meaning of Blue: Synthetic material, or frits, were used to produce pigments and dyes. Frit was crushed to make pigments or shaped to create objects.

Fact 8 on Meaning of Blue: Ancient Egypt was rich in copper and lead ores, gold and semiprecious stones. The ancient Egyptians produced copper, bronze and glass. The glass, called faience, was painted to produce cheap jewelry, talismans and amulets.

Fact 9 on Meaning of Blue: The glass known as faience was easier to work with than the harder gemstones. The Egyptians became so adept at crafting glass bead versions of precious and semi-precious stones that it was difficult to distinguish authentic gemstones from faience.

Fact 10 on Meaning of Blue: The ancient Egyptians used the glass faience not only to make jewelry and amulets but also to make fabulous vessels, furniture, ritual equipment, funerary equipment, tiles, ankhs, scepters and figurines. Symbolism: Faience was thought to glisten with a light that was symbolic of life, rebirth, vegetation and immortality.

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Ancient Egypt - Symbolism and Meaning of Blue Fact Sheet

Ancient Egypt - Symbolism and Meaning of Blue Fact Sheet

Fact 11 on Meaning of Blue: According to ancient Egyptian mythology the hair of the gods was made of precious Lapis Lazuli (khesbedj).

Fact 12 on Meaning of Blue: Some of the Pharaohs imitated the gods and were depicted in art with blue faces or hair.  

Fact 13 on Meaning of Blue: Amun was the Egyptian god of the air, sun and the sky. Originally, Amun was depicted with red-brown skin. However, following the Amarna period and the religious revolution involving the god Aten, his cult revived and he was painted with blue skin, symbolizing his association with air and primeval creation.

Fact 14 on Meaning of Blue: Hapi was the Egyptian god of fertility and the Egyptian Nile god who was believed to bring the silt to the banks of the River Nile. One of his titles was "Lord of the River Bringing Vegetation". The blue-colored skin of Hapi was symbolic of the River Nile and its associated crops and fertility.

Fact 15 on Meaning of Blue: Other gods associated with the River Nile were Khnum the guardian of the River Nile, Satet, the goddess of the annual inundation and Anuket, the goddess of the cataracts. Together these three gods were referred to as the Elephantine Triad.

Fact 16 on Meaning of Blue: The color blue represented royalty and stones of this color which included lapis lazuli and turquoise were the most prized of all gemstones.

Fact 17 on Meaning of Blue: Blue was often paired with gold in Egyptian royal regalia and jewelry.

Fact 18 on Meaning of Blue: The Royal Vulture Crown consisted of a falcon feather headdress with its wings spread round her head in the act of protection

Fact 19 on Meaning of Blue: The Nemes was the name of the blue and gold striped head cloth worn by the pharaohs as a ceremonial headdress.

Fact 20 on Meaning of Blue: The Flail held by the king or Pharaoh symbolized the role as provider of food for the people. The crook symbolized the role as the 'shepherd' of the people

Fact 21 on Meaning of Blue: The Khepresh was the blue crown that was worn by Pharaohs in battle

Fact 22 on Meaning of Blue: Lapis lazuli had to be imported from Afghanistan. The dark colored Lapis lazuli stone was often used to create the eyes on the statues of the ancient Egyptian gods and the death masks of pharaohs.

Fact 23 on Meaning of Blue: The magic Lapis lazuli stone represented rebirth and regeneration. The name derives from Lapis the Latin word for 'stone' and Lazuli from the name of a place where the gemstone was originally mined. It was believed to inspire courage.

Fact 24 on Meaning of Blue: The blue-green Feldspar stone was a symbol of fertility and was believed to bring good luck to the wearer. It was also the favored stone for the papyrus scepter amulet which was placed around the neck of the deceased on the day of the funeral.

Fact 25 on Meaning of Blue: The design of amulets created using magic stones were believed to harness different magical powers and the protection of various gods and goddesses.

Ancient Egypt - Symbolism and Meaning of Blue Fact Sheet

Facts about the Meaning of Blue to the Ancient Egyptians
Discover fast, interesting fun facts about the Symbolism and Meaning of the color Blue in ancient Egypt with some amazing, cool and quick information about ancient Egypt and Egyptians. Ideal for children, homework, schools, teachers and kids of all ages. Find fascinating fun facts about the Symbolism and Meaning of Blue for kids and the history, culture and civilisation of the ancient Egyptians and ancient Egypt. Interesting, fun facts about the Symbolism and Meaning of Blue for research, schools, students and kids of all ages via the following Fact sheet.