Sistrum Symbol-History And Meaning
The sistrum, one of the various important ancient Egyptian symbols, was a percussion instrument that resembled a rattle.
Although the sistrum was a musical instrument, its symbolism and mystical purposes went far beyond music. It was used by the ancient Egyptian people in numerous rites and ceremonies.
If you want to learn more about the Sistrum symbol, read on to find out the meaning, history, and significance of this Egyptian symbol.
Sistrum Symbol- History And Meaning
If you want to learn more about the Sistrum symbol, read on to find out the meaning, history, and significance of this Egyptian symbol.
Sistrum Symbol History
The sistrum instrument originated in ancient Egypt. It was associated with the Egyptian goddesses Isis and Hathor, first appearing in the Old Kingdom, around 2700 to 2200 BC.
The sistrum started out as a musical instrument, but its symbolical value surpassed its musical use since. It became a focal part of a variety of ceremonies and rituals. The sistrum was also used as a mortuary object.
The ancient Egyptians also came to believe that the sistrum had magical powers, leading to another belief that this instrument may have been derived from the papyrus plant, which was another symbol associated with Hathor. This association came from myths proposing that the goddess emerged from this plant.
At first, the sistrum was an instrument and symbol that was exclusively carried by the gods and the high priests and priestesses of Egypt. Its power was said to be such that these gods and high priests and pristesses used it to scare off Set, who is the god of chaos and disaster.
It was also believed that the sistrum could as well avert the flooding of the river Nile. These linked the instrument with the goddess Isis. In some of her depictions, the goddesses appears with the flood symbol in one hand and the sistrum in the other.
Very few actual ancient sistra exist today. This particular variety of Old Kingdom sistrum did not survive, except for depictions in artworks and portrayals.
Most of the surviving ones have fewer details and are of a different shape. They merely have a loop-shaped frame and a long handle made from a papyrus stem. These sistra are from the Greco-Roman era.
One of the best-known depictions of the sistrum is found in Hathor’s temple in the Dendera Temple complex on the west bank of the Nile.
The Sistrum Symbol
The instrument was closely tied with ritual rites in Isis’ honor. This is evident in Egyptian art where the said goddess and her priestesses are frequently depicted holding a sistrum.
The oldest sistrum appeared in the Old Kingdom. It was known as naos-sistrum. This particular sistrum had cow horns and depictions of the goddess Hathor’s face on the handles. In some cases, though, falcons were featured on the top of the instrument.
As the sistrum was associated with the goddess Hathor, it also became connected with her powers. The sistrum thus came to symbolize joy, festivity, and erotism – traits attributed to Hathor. In later times, the sistrum became a symbol the Egyptians used to pacify the wrath of Hathor and any other enraged deity.
Today, the sistrum symbol is still present as a fundamental part of worship and religion in several regions of Africa. It remains a powerful symbol in Coptic and Ethiopian churches as well.
Sistrum Symbol Meaning
A sistrum is a percussion instrument, mainly associated with ancient Egypt. It is made up of a handle and a U-shaped brass or bronze frame.
This instrument was shaken during religious ceremonies and when coming into the presence of an ancient Egyptian deity. Tambourines are the sistrum’s its closest modern equivalent.
The name “sistrum” is derived from the Greek word “seistron” which literally means “that which is being shaken.”
