Vila Wolf's Dyslexic Folklorist Ranting

Egyptian Eye of Horus Amulets, Ptolemaic, C. 323-30 BC

The Eye of Horus or wedjat-eye is an ancient Egyptian symbol of protection, royal power and good health. The eye is personified in the goddess Wadjet. It is also known as “The Eye of Ra.” The wedjat-eye was supposedly the eye that Seth tore from Horus during a battle over who would lead the gods. Thoth healed the injured eye, returning it to Horus as the “sound one.” Wedjat-eye amulets were used from the Old Kingdom through the Roman Period and whether worn for everyday wear or tucked among mummy wrappings, this amulet was believed to be an effective source of protection and a symbol of strength and perfection.

Made of electrum.

Egyptian Faience Thoth Baboon, Late Period, 664-332 BC

From the beginning of Egyptian history, the baboon had a role in Egyptian religion. Initially, he was known as a deity called the “Great White One” (that is, the moon), but soon this god was conflated with Thoth, the better known ibis-headed god of writing and recording. Thoth’s responsibilities included the calendar, which in ancient Egypt was lunar based, facilitating the integration of the two deities. Baboon amulets probably were offerings to shrines honoring Thoth, but could also have been placed with the deceased as a representative of the deity who recorded Osiris’ judgment. This baboon holds a wedjat eye, the eye stolen from Horus and healed by Thoth.

A Collection of Egyptian Amulets. Egypt, Late Period, 2nd half 1st mill. B.C. The two Art Nouveau vitrines contain 93 amulets and mummy amulets made of various materials, such as faience, jasper and lapis lazuli. Numerous gods are represented, for instance the triad of Isis, Nephtys and Harpokrates, Pataikos, Bes and Anubis, as well as falcons, the double sphinx Aker and several hieroglyphic symbols such as the djed-pillar, Horus eyes and heart amulets.