Literature

The ancient Egyptians believed that the dung beetle, the Scarabaeus sacer, was one of the manifestations of the sun god. Representations of these beetles were used as amulets, and for ritual or administrative purposes. This scarab displays on the bottom side the figure of the goddess Taweret. Her appearance combines a hippopotamus head and body, lion paws, crocodile tail, and human arms and hands. The goddess is standing on her hindlegs, and her left arm is out stretched in front of her holding a sa loop symbol for protection. This hybrid creature combines the elements of dangerous and fertile creatures, perfect for a goddess that was meant to protect women and their children. The sa-symbol was also used as a hieroglyph to write the word for 'protection' and for 'amulet.' The scarab would likely have been worn set into a similar ring, as a protective amulet for a woman.