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Ancient Egyptians - Magic Stones |
The Magic Stones - Ancient Egyptian Magic Facts about Magic Stones - Ancient Egyptian Magic Ancient Egypt - Magic Stones Fact Sheet Fact 1 on Magic Stones: Each of the different types of precious and semi-precious Magic Stones used by the ancient Egyptians were believed to hold inherent magical properties and attributes. Fact 2 on Magic Stones: The design of magical amulets, that were created using magical stones, were also believed to invoke the powerful protection of various ancient Egyptian gods and goddesses. Fact 3 on Magic Stones: Magical Amulets were worn as protective talismans by both the living and the dead. Ancient Egyptians believed that they offered defence from evil and baleful influences, such as attacks of visible evil including snakes and scorpions and invisible evil spirits and foes. Fact 4 on Magic Stones: Ancient Egyptian amulets and talismans consisted of a gemstone or other small item, often inscribed or carved with magical inscriptions, magic signs, magic symbols, formula or sacred text. Amulets and talismans took the form of both jewelry and ornaments. Fact 5 on Magic Stones: Ancient Egyptian priests performed religious ceremonies and rituals centered around the talismans and amulets and said prayers over them that were believed to ascribe them with supernatural powers. Fact 6 on Magic Stones: Many talismans and amulets included 'voces magicae' meaning symbols and characters that represented magic words of power. The 'voces magicae' were believed to invoke spirits who would help the soul to ascend to heaven without fear of being diverted to eternal wandering in the perilous Underworld (Duat) or hell. Fact 7 on Magic Stones: As time passed and the religion of the ancient Egyptians evolved new amulets representing new ideas were invented by the priests, especially during the period of the New Kingdom, during which laymen (not just royals and the wealthy) were directed to use protective spells and amulets in the countless versions of the Book of the Dead. Fact 8 on Magic Stones: The religion placed extreme importance to the adherence of specific, and sometimes secret, funerary rites enacted by priests and designed to preserve the secrecy of magic spells and formulae. Fact 9 on Magic Stones: The different type of magical stones favored by the ancient Egyptians included feldspar, quartz, peridot, carnelian, amethyst, chalcedony, emeralds, jasper, lapis lazuli, tiger's eye, pearls and turquoise. Fact 10 on Magic Stones: Each magical stone had its own symbolism based on its color, qualities and attributes. Ancient Egypt - Magic Stones Fact Sheet The Magic Stones of Ancient Egypt Magic Stones Ancient Egypt - Magic Stones Fact Sheet Fact 11 on Magic Stones: The different varieties of blue stone used in magical amulets and talismans included lapis lazuli, blue glass, faience, and turquoise. Blue represented royalty and they strongly favored gemstones stones of this color especially lapis lazuli and turquoise. Fact 12 on Magic Stones: Blue symbolized and represented the Sky, Water, the Heavens, Primeval Flood, Creation, Birth and Rebirth. The Feather of Ma'at amulet symbolized integrity, morality, fairness and truth and was often represented by the dark blue lapis lazuli. Fact 13 on Magic Stones: Lapis lazuli was often used to create the eyes on the statues of the ancient Egyptian gods and the death masks of Pharaohs. The Egyptians also believed that the hair of the gods was made of Lapis Lazuli stone. The Eye amulet often contained blue stone to protect and guard its wearer from the malignant glances of the envious. It was also often used in the Ankh amulet. Fact 14 on Magic Stones: Feldspar symbolized fertility and was believed to bring good luck to the wearer. Feldspar was often for the Papyrus scepter amulet which was placed around the neck of a mummy on the day of the funeral. Fact 15 on Magic Stones: The different varieties of red stone used in magical amulets and talismans included red jasper, carnelian, rose quartz and garnet. Fact 16 on Magic Stones: Red symbolized and represented life, fire and victory. Red was also used to convey anger and hostility and used in the eyes of Snake head amulets. In ancient Egypt it was believed that jealousy, hatred, and malice darted in 'fiery sparks' from the eyes of evil people who were envious of the good looks, health, and success of the fortunate. Fact 17 on Magic Stones: A red stone was believed to be extremely powerful color because of its association with blood. Amulets and talismans containing a red stone were believed to possess the protective power of the blood of Isis which is why it is used in the Tyet amulet. Fact 18 on Magic Stones: Many Heart amulets included the red carnelian stone as a symbol of life and immortality. The carnelian stone was believed to possess magical healing properties and the power to protect the wearer from witchcraft. Fact 19 on Magic Stones: The different varieties of yellow stone used in magical amulets and talismans included citrine, amber, Tiger's eye, heliodor and yellow jasper Fact 20 on Magic Stones: Yellow symbolized and represented objects that were Imperishable, eternal and indestructible. The Ancient Egyptians believed that gold was the substance which formed the skin of the gods and statues of gods and pharaohs were either made of gold or covered with gold leaf. It was believed to hold the power of strength and harmony. Ancient Egypt - Magic Stones Fact Sheet Magic Stones Ancient Egypt - Magic Stones Fact Sheet Fact 21 on Magic Stones: Citrine was worn by some high priestesses in ancient Egypt to protect against jealousy and also used by ordinary Egyptians in the Eye talisman. Fact 22 on Magic Stones: The different varieties of green stone used in magical amulets and talismans included jade, turquoise, emeralds, peridot, green feldspar, serpentine, beryl and green quartz. Fact 23 on Magic Stones: Green symbolized and represented Fertlity, Vegetation, New life, Joy, Growth and Regeneration. Fact 24 on Magic Stones: Amulets such as the Eye of Horus and the Papyrus Scepter, were made of green stone as a potent symbol of regeneration and rebirth. Malachite was believed to possess magic healing properties that were inherent to the stone. Fact 25 on Magic Stones: The green Feldspar stone was a symbol of fertility and was popular with the ancient Egyptians as it was believed to bring good luck. Fact 26 on Magic Stones: The emerald was an expensive stone favored by royalty and believed to hold magic for foretelling the future. Emeralds were the favorite stones of Queen Cleopatra. Fact 27 on Magic Stones: The Frog amulet symbolizing mortal life, rebirth and resurrectionwas often made with green colored stone, especially turquoise. Fact 28 on Magic Stones: Black symbolized and represented death, the night and the Afterlife. It was also associated with fertility and regeneration of the land and connected to endurance and stability. Fact 29 on Magic Stones: The different varieties of black stone used in magical amulets and talismans included onyx, obsidian, steatite, hematite, basalt and amethyst. Fact 30 on Magic Stones: The Scarab amulet featured many black magic stones and was one of the most potent symbols of funerary talismans of ancient Egypt symbolizing the sun, resurrection, transformation and protection. Fact 31 on Magic Stones: Black stones were frequently used in statuary and funerary equipment to evoke the regenerative qualities of Osiris and the Underworld. Two Fingers Talismans have been found in the interior of ancient Egyptian mummies. The hardness of black stone was symbolic of longevity and endurance. Fact 32 on Magic Stones: White symbolized and represented Omnipotence, Purity, Cleanliness and Simplicity. Fact 33 on Magic Stones: The different varieties of white stone used in magical amulets and talismans included pearls, mother-of-pearl, chalcedony and milky quartz. Fact 34 on Magic Stones: Pearls were symbolic of purity and innocence and were once believed to be the tears of gods. Fact 35 on Magic Stones: Chalcedony, a type of quartz, was often carved with the symbols of the air and water gods. Ancient Egypt - Magic Stones Fact Sheet Magic Stones Magic Stones |
