Early in their history, Egyptians believed in an afterlife, burying the deceased with daily-use items intended for their next life. Common grave goods included pots—predominantly found in tombs—combs, stone vessels, and slate palettes for grinding malachite, a green eye cosmetic. Some burials also contained figurines, copper objects, beads, and amulets.
The evolution of Egyptian tombs was largely driven by the need to accommodate these funerary items. Post-unification, certain segments of society saw increased wealth, leading to the construction of larger tombs with designated storage chambers. This article will discuss the role of jewelry in Egyptian culture and its significance.
Why did ancient Egypt wear jewelry?
Ancient Egyptians wore jewelry for several reasons, deeply intertwined with their cultural beliefs, social status, and religious practices:
Symbolic Significance: Jewelry was imbued with spiritual and magical meanings. It was believed to offer protection against evil, bring good luck, and ensure divine favor. Different materials and symbols had specific powers or meanings, such as lapis lazuli for royalty and turquoise for health and joy.
Status and Wealth: Jewelry was a clear indicator of social status and wealth. The more elaborate and precious the materials, such as gold, gemstones, and intricate designs, the higher the wearer’s status. Pharaohs and high-ranking officials wore the most luxurious jewelry, often elaborately crafted and heavily adorned.
Religious and Ceremonial Use: Jewelry played a crucial role in religious ceremonies and was essential in burial rites. Egyptians often buried the dead with their jewelry to ensure a prosperous and equipped afterlife. Certain pieces were specifically made to be worn by the gods’ statues or used in temple rituals.
Aesthetic Appeal: Like today, jewelry was also worn for personal adornment and fashion. It was a way to display personal taste and beauty, enhancing the wearer’s appearance with crafted items that often featured colorful beads and metals.
Functional Uses: Some jewelry pieces had practical applications, such as clasps, buckles, and amulets with specific purposes, like ensuring health or fertility.
Thus, wearing jewelry in ancient Egypt was much more than a mere decoration; it was a vital part of daily life, reflecting religious, social, and personal values.
Why Jewelry Was So Important to The Ancient Egyptians
Jewelry has always been a fundamental aspect of Egyptian culture, cherished by everyone regardless of age, gender, or social status. In ancient Egypt, both the rich and the poor adorned themselves with jewelry made from materials ranging from simple clay, stones, and shells to luxurious metals and semi-precious stones. These pieces served multiple purposes: personal decoration, ceremonial use, gifts, and grave goods, revealing their importance through archaeological discoveries. Here are three important reasons why jewelry was so significant to the ancient Egyptians:
1. Ancient Egyptians Used Jewels to Stay Safe
Ancient Egyptians valued jewelry not just for its beauty but for its supposed protective powers. They wore jewelry pieces like necklaces, bracelets, rings, and anklets, believing these could shield them from sickness, misfortune, and evil. Infants often wore pendants to safeguard against the high rates of child mortality prevalent at the time. The Egyptians referred to what we call charms as amulets, considering them crucial for both life and the afterlife. Amulets like the heart scarab—a gemstone carved into a scarab beetle, symbolizing rebirth—were commonly placed on mummies during burial rituals.
2. Jewelry Was a Sign of Power for Ancient Egyptians
Ancient Egyptians, especially those of high status, wore elaborate and ornate jewelry as symbols of power. They adorned themselves with gold, silver, and precious gemstones like peridot, Cleopatra’s reputed favorite, in various forms such as arm cuffs, rings, necklaces, and collars. This ostentatious display contrasted with the modern preference for minimalism.
3. The ancient Egyptians told stories with jewelry
Ancient Egyptians adorned themselves with symbolic jewelry that encapsulated their culture, traditions, and religious beliefs. These pieces served as narrative tools, reflecting personal and collective histories. For instance, the scarab beetle symbolized resurrection and the afterlife, whereas the Lotus flower represented the emergence of life, as Egyptians believed it bloomed from primordial darkness to reveal the Sun God. Jewelry also illustrated the achievements of pharaohs and marked historical events, helping to differentiate between leaders and chronicle periods of prosperity and adversity.
Materials Used in Ancient Egyptian Jewelry
In ancient Egypt, gold was favored over silver in jewelry because its color represented the goddess Amun and the radiant sun, with copper also being commonly used. Many jewelry materials were locally sourced, although some, like lapis lazuli, were imported from distant lands such as Afghanistan. Emeralds, Queen Cleopatra’s preferred gem, were often given to dignitaries, carved in her image.
Colorful jewelry and beads, as well as pottery, were crafted from polychrome glass in vibrant shades of green, red, yellow, and blue. Other gemstones like emeralds, malachite, garnet, turquoise, carnelian, obsidian, and amethyst were used, each symbolizing various attributes such as immortality, healing, protection, and royalty.
What are the Egyptian beliefs about the afterlife?
The ancient Egyptians had the view that after death, their spiritual bodies would live on in an afterlife that was remarkably similar to this one. But admission into this hereafter was not assured. Before being allowed entry, the deceased had to endure a perilous voyage through the underworld and confront the ultimate verdict. If they were successful, they would have to give their spirit unending nourishment. If the necessary arrangements were made during a person’s lifetime, these goals could be accomplished.
