Was Scepter Symbol – History And Meaning
The was scepter, also known called the tcham scepter, is an important symbol in Egyptian mythology.
It is associated with Egyptian deities such as Anubis, the god of the underworld; and Set, the god of chaos, desert and war. As it represented the animalistic feature of Set and the whole takeover of the forces of chaos, the was scepter is depicted as a stylized animal head on top of a long, straight rod with a forked end.
The was scepter symbol is often seen in ancient Egyptian relics, art, and hieroglyphics.
Was Scepter Symbol – History And Meaning
If you want to learn more about the Was Scepter symbol, read on to find out the meaning, history, and significance of this Egyptian symbol.
Was Scepter Symbol History
The earliest examples of the was scepter date to the First Dynasty, from c. 3100 BC to c. 2900 BC, in the time of King Namer.
These are remnants of true was sceptres made of wood or faience and sometimes precious metals like gold and silver, where the head and forked tail of the animal depicting the Egyptian god Set can be clearly seen.
Was scepters are depicted as being held by gods, pharaohs, and priests. They frequently occur in drawings, paintings, and carvings of gods. They also commonly parallel with other symbols such as the ankh and the djed pillar.
Some believe that the was scepter originated from a fighting cane, a tent pole, a walking stick, or the root of a tree.
The was specter was employed as a symbol of the ancient Egyptian district of Thebes. This symbol was thought to be responsible for the well-being of the dead, hence, images of the was scepter were found in the equipment and on the decoration of the tomb and the coffin.
The ancient Egyptians also used the was specter as an amulet, believing that it had magical powers and that the sky was supported by four was scepters that served as pillars.
It was frequently combined with the ankh and the djed symbols seen in the hand of the god Ptah, known as the sculptor of the earth.
The was scepter was also found in the hands of other Egyprian deities like Isis, Hathor, Ra-Horakhty, and numerous others, as well as pharaohs.
The was scepter symbol was used to represent power or dominion, as well as the Set animal. It later came to be employed as a symbol of control over the force of chaos that the god Set symbolized.
The Was Scepter Symbol
The was scepter is a staff with the head of a desert animal at its top and an open fork at its base or “tail” which could be interpreted as the legs of this said animal.
In Egyptian hieroglyphics, the “was” was a character that represented power or dominion.
In Egyptian mythology, the was scepter was used by ancient Egyptian deities as emblems of their power and dominion. Hence, pharaohs and priests used this staff to symbolize their authority.
The symbol was used to create a link between the material world and the netherworld. It was also believed that four was scepters served as pillar that supported the sky.
The was scepter was as well employed by the ancient Egyptians as an amulet, believing the symbol possessed magical powers.
Was Scepter Symbol Meaning
The “was” is the Egyptian hieroglyph character symbolizing power and/or dominion. Thus, the ancient Egyptian symbol was scepter symbol, also known as tcham scepter, represented power and dominion.
The was scepter was used by pharaohs and priests as an emblem of authority.
Depicted as a stylized animal head on top of a long, straight staff with a forked end, it symbolized the animalistic aspect of the god Set and was also associated with the god Anubis.
The symbol is associated with wealth and happiness as well.
