Amulet: Wedjat Eye
Location
Era
Late Period, 26th Dynasty (665-525 B.C.E.)
Title
Amulet: Wedjat Eye
Materials
Faience
Dimensions
2.9 x 3.3 x 0.5 cm
Credits
Gift of Mrs. J. Douglas Morgan, inv. 1921.B.1
Collection
Archeology and World Cultures
In life as in death, the Egyptians sought to win the favours and the protection of the gods. Amulets fulfilled this function of magical protection. The type of amulet determined the protection provided: the wedjat eye (1) was a symbol of physical wholeness and the djed pillar (2), of stability. Some of them were positioned in very specific places on the mummified body. Heart scarabs (3) were placed either on the breastbone, or directly inside the chest cavity, to be near the heart, the seat of intellect, the soul and emotions.
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