Scarab mythology. The scarab beetle is a sacred talisman. Sacred Scarab Beetle

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Genus of dung beetles. Dl. 2 4 cm. They live in southern Europe, in Western and Middle Europe. Asia and North Africa. They roll manure into balls and feed on them. In Dr. In Egypt, sacred S. was revered as one of the forms of the solar deity. His images served as amulets and... Natural science. encyclopedic Dictionary

SCARAB- (from Latin scarabaeus) dung beetle that lived in the southern regions Western Europe, North Africa, in the Middle East. IN Ancient Egypt sacred representative of the world fauna. It was believed to bring happiness and good luck in military affairs. Was especially... Symbols, signs, emblems. Encyclopedia

In Egypt, the symbol of resurrection, also reincarnation; resurrection for the mummy, or rather for the higher aspects of the personality that animated it, and reincarnation for the Ego, the spiritual body of the lower, human soul. Egyptologists reveal only half... Religious terms

SCARAB IN Egypt- symbol of resurrection, also reincarnation; resurrection for the mummy, or rather for the higher aspects of the personality that animated it, and reincarnation for the Ego, the spiritual body of the lower, human Soul. Egyptologists reveal only half the truth when... Theosophical Dictionary

Sacred scarab Scientific classification Kingdom: Animals Type: Arthropods Class ... Wikipedia

Scarabs- Sacred scarab. SCARABES, a genus of dung beetles. The body is wide, black, length 2 - 4 cm. They live in the south of Europe, in the Western and Central Asia and North Africa. They roll balls of dung, which they feed on. To breed offspring, female scarabs... ... Illustrated Encyclopedic Dictionary

The sacred scarab (lat. Scarabaeus sacer) is a beetle of the Lamellar family (lat. Scarabaeidae), common in Northern and East Africa, as well as in southern Europe and South-West Asia.

Because of their habit of rolling dung into balls and rolling them towards their homes, scarabs have been associated since time immemorial with the forces that move the Sun across the sky.

In Ancient Egypt, they became sacred insects, which were considered the incarnation of the god Khepri, responsible for the movement of the Sun. Khepri was depicted as a beetle or a man with the head of a beetle and personified new life and resurrection from the dead.

The Egyptians produced huge quantities of amulets depicting scarabs. They were made from clay, faience, stone, ivory and metal. The image of the scarab was on the seals used to seal documents and seal doors.

It was customary to give way to him, and the deliberate murder of a sacred insect was considered as an encroachment on the foundations of the universe and could cost the villain his life.

Behavior

The sacred scarab lives mainly in hot semi-deserts with dry sandy soils, avoiding saline areas. Adult beetles emerge en masse in early spring, emerging from the ground.

They fly well, so they gather in friendly flocks and roam noisily around the surrounding area following migrating herds of ungulates. They pick up the smell of manure from a distance of several kilometers and unmistakably flock to the feast.

Each beetle tries to quickly grab a larger tasty morsel and hide it in a shelter away from its eternally hungry relatives. To deliver a treat to a secluded place, it uses its long hind legs to form an impressive ball of dung and begins to quickly push it.

Scarabs are unusually strong and easily roll balls several dozen times their own weight. Typically, a dung ball has a diameter of up to 8 cm.

A tunnel dug underground serves as a reliable refuge for a tireless worker. The length of the tunnel can reach one meter. Having reached home, the beetle buries itself in the ground along with its prey and feeds on it for several days.

Some individuals specialize only in feces a certain type animals, and categorically disdain the products of others. Elephant dung is considered a special delicacy among them.

Curious biologists, after painstaking practical research, discovered that in one standard elephant heap weighing about 100 kg, on average, almost 16,000 scarabs enjoy life. Each of them can bury a portion of manure into the ground overnight, the weight of which is 250 times greater than its own weight.

Reproduction

The first romantic date of beetles in love takes place, naturally, on a dung heap. The gallant gentleman presents the chosen one of his heart with a large, especially carefully rolled dung ball. If the beauty’s heart trembles at the sight of such a yummy, then she joins the male, and together they begin to roll the ball towards the male’s shelter.

From time to time, she, overwhelmed with surging feelings, climbs onto the ball, giving her admirer the honorable right to work for two. Having reached the dwelling, the young wife, as the hostess, is the first to enter the tunnel previously dug by her husband and begins to dig side chambers in it.

At this time, the happy male tirelessly rolls home more and more portions of crap. The female transforms the delivered balls into peculiar “pears”. She lays one egg at a time in the narrow part of the “pear” and carefully places them in the nests. Each nest can contain up to 5 eggs.

The female carefully seals the openings of the tubules in which the eggs are located with her feces. Her restless husband, using the motto: “If you’ve done the job, go for a walk!”, goes in search of his next passion.

A caring mother stands alone for 2 months near the clutch, removing larval feces and cleaning the burrow from mold.

During this time, the larvae undergo three stages of development. When food supplies run out, they wisely pupate.

Next spring or after heavy autumn rains Adult beetles emerge from the pupae. The first thing they do is eat the remains of their “pears” and, having had a good meal, crawl to the surface and begin an independent life.

Description

The body length of an adult sacred scarab reaches 2.6-3.7 cm. The body is protected by a thick shell with longitudinal grooves.

The color is dark, with a greenish or black metallic tint. The head is flat and resembles a shovel. Powerful mandibles have turned into tiny shovels, allowing them to dig deep tunnels underground.

Short antennas are branched into several plates. The wide tibiae of the first pair of front legs are equipped with large teeth and are used for digging the ground. The strong and long third pair of limbs is adapted to hold and roll a dung ball.

Long transparent wings are hidden under the shell of the elytra. The elytra are rigid and cover the second pair of wings.

Who would have thought that one of the species of dung beetles would become a sacred animal. In ancient Egypt, the scarab was worshiped as a deity. The Egyptians saw in his rolling large balls a symbol of the movement of the sun across the sky.

Sacred scarab (lat. Scarabaeus sacer) (English: Dung Beetle). Photo by Manuel Schulz

And the fact that this ball consists of dung did not in the least spoil the status of its divinity, but quite the contrary. After all, the use of this processed animal waste product is one of the main guarantees of a good harvest.

These sacred beetles are found not only in Ancient Egypt, but also in other warm and sandy areas: in the steppes of Ukraine, in the Ciscaucasia, Crimea, in the south of Dagestan and in other countries located in the south of Western Europe.

These are large black beetles, reaching 3-4 centimeters in length and weighing about 2 grams. In males, the inner surface of the hind legs is covered with golden-red hairs, which for the Egyptians became another sign of the “sunshine” of this beetle.

Not only are scarabs quite large beetles, but they are also very strong. Not every insect, in addition to some other species of arthropods, is capable of moving a load tens of times greater than their own weight. But the mass of the dung balls that they constantly roll can reach 40 grams!

Photo by Ridfa

Why are these balls created? Well, firstly, for food supplies, and, secondly, female scarabs lay larvae in them. The beetles themselves feed on balls of, so to speak, low-grade manure, but for their babies they try to find the best - sheep manure.

Photo byGerenuk

The period when the balls start rolling begins in mid-March and lasts until the end of July. In the spring they “work” during the day, and in the summer, when the hot season sets in, they switch to night look life. When searching suitable material, construction and joint skating of balls, most often the meeting of the future “family” couple occurs.

Photo by Josef Mikuška

The male and female roll several balls and for each of them they dig special holes, where the dung ball will be dumped and sprinkled with earth on top. In the future, some of them will serve as a cradle for scarab larvae, while others will serve as food for adult individuals.

After the formation of a pair, the male and female begin to create " family nest" They dig a hole 10-30 centimeters deep, which ends in a nesting chamber, where mating occurs. Then the male recovers on all 4 sides, and after some time the female lays large egg into one of the buried balls. For every egg laid there is a ball of dung.

Photo by Tarkhnishvili

After 1-1.5 weeks, a larva hatches from the egg and has an excellent appetite. She eats constantly and as a result grows very quickly. After a month and a tail, it turns into a pupa, and after another 2 weeks - into an adult. But she is in no hurry to get out into the world yet. And only in spring or autumn, when the rains begin, this “false cocoon” softens and adult individuals can crawl to the surface.

Photo by Fernando Cartagena

The scarab occupies a very important place in the mythology of Ancient Egypt. In addition to the fact that he is a symbol of the Sun, his image can be seen on various frescoes and sculptures as the face of the Egyptian god Khepri - the creator of the world and man.

Egyptian god Khepri with a scarab-shaped head

Also, the sacred scarab is a symbol of rebirth in the afterlife, so its images can often be seen on paintings in tombs.

Tourists who visit the Karnak Temple, located near Luxor, can see and even walk a couple of circles around the column of the Sacred Scarab.

I'm spinning circles around the Sacred Scarab :)

P.S. I couldn't miss this opportunity. They say that by walking 3 circles around it, you need to make a wish, and it will definitely come true. Well, unmarried girls are advised to go around him 7 times, and then she will soon get married. 🙂 Therefore, every year huge crowds of people circle around this column, like bees around a flower.

In the ideas of the ancient Egyptians, the scarab beetle, rolling a dung ball along the ground with its hind legs, was the personification of the supernatural viviparous forces of nature. The Egyptians believed that the persistent and purposeful beetle arises on its own and is therefore similar to deities, such as the ancient solar god Khepri and other gods, the creators of man, the world and the Universe, who arose on their own. The Egyptians considered the ball created from dung to be a symbol eternal life, since he was like the sun, and the hard-working beetle allegedly repeated the heavenly path of the sun on earth and at the same time he, like the sun, emitted light and heat. It is no coincidence that the god Khepri was often depicted with the head of a scarab beetle.

In Egyptian it was called khepru, which meant “to live, to exist,” in Greek it was called scarab, which simply meant beetle. According to legend, the god Osiris reigned over Egypt, he taught people agriculture, gardening and winemaking, but was killed by his brother, the god Set, who was jealous of his wealth and power. He chopped the dead man's body into pieces. According to some sources, into 13 parts, according to others - into 42 and transported them to the provinces of Egypt, and threw the head into the Nile. The head sailed to Abydos, a town located on the western bank of the river, where the head was buried. Since then, Abydos has become the burial place of the first Egyptian rulers. The scarab that appeared from the head of Osiris announced that Osiris had risen from the dead, moved to the heavenly world, and began new stage his existence.

Having endowed the scarab with all conceivable divine powers and virtues, the Egyptians gradually turned it into the most secret and desired talisman, which should accompany a person during life and go with him to the kingdom of the dead, where he would not part with him. In the kingdom of the dead, the scarab already personified the power of a never-dying heart, which helped a person get rid of the shortcomings he had during life and be reborn again. With the help of the scarab talisman, a person became able to overcome all obstacles encountered on his way, he was renewed and could return to the world of the living, then the person died again and was resurrected renewed, and so on endlessly. Therefore, a figurine of a scarab made of precious stones was placed inside the mummy in place of the removed heart.

The scarab and the legend of its divine origin were so popular in Ancient Egypt that images of the dung beetle were found on the walls of many dwellings, were present in all funeral complexes, and monuments were created to it. Carvers made his figurines from precious stones, decorated them with gold patterns, and thus sacred talismans and amulets appeared.

Sometimes you can see a scarab with its wings spread. Such beetles meant that they had completed their mission on earth and were ready to go to heaven, to the sources that gave birth to them. There are also stone figurines of scarabs holding a ball in their paws - a symbol of the fiery sun. A beetle with a ball in its paws means the birth of a new life, which promises to give impetus to human renewal.

Thus, an inconspicuous insect, the scarab beetle, in Ancient Egypt gradually acquired the features of a god who accompanied a person during life and after death, becoming an eternal symbol of the soul living outside of time and space.

Scarab beetle and the ancient Egyptian sun god. Meaning for Egyptians. Talismans, tattoos and Jewelry with the sacred beetle. Rules for selection and use...

From Masterweb

05.06.2018 00:00

Special objects endowed with magical power- amulets. People have used them since ancient times. They say that the first amulets were the claws or teeth of animals killed in hunting. Over time, amulets became more varied and sophisticated. For their manufacture they were used gems and metals. Many of them have survived to this day.

Ancient Egyptian sacred scarab

The highly developed ancient Egyptian civilization associated the scarab beetle with a god who symbolized the rising sun. Sometimes he was depicted as a man with an insect for a face. But more often just like a bug.

Scarabs feed on the droppings of large cattle. From it they make balls that can significantly exceed the size of the insect. They roll the finished dung circle into their burrows, using it for nutrition and breeding.

They also lay eggs in the balls. The emerging larvae can remain in such a cradle for several months. After which they go outside.

Everyone who has visited Egypt knows exactly what a scarab beetle looks like. The insect is also found in Russia, mainly in the steppe Crimea. The beetle can reach 4 cm in length. It has powerful legs, teeth and large eyes.

The Egyptians saw something symbolic in the work of the beetle. They drew a parallel with an insect rolling a ball and the solar disk making its way across the sky. The priestesses believed that all small animals were born in the mud of the Nile. The scarab beetle is the only one born in the sands.

The sun god, Khepri, like his prototype scarab, was created without conception, from the earth. This may be why the beetle was associated with resurrection. His figurine was placed in the body of the deceased during mummification.

Scarab beetle talismans were found throughout Ancient Egypt. They were made from marble, faience, basalt, clay and covered with multi-colored glaze. Figures were drawn on the base or back sacred symbols. Most often it was the eye of Horus. For the nobility, figurines were made of precious stones and covered with gold or silver.

The main meaning of the scarab beetle is the rising sun. It symbolized eternity and immortality. Forced to awaken only the best that is in a person. He personified the eternal youth of the soul and life after death.

Ancient amulets

The symbol of the scarab beetle was present on almost all objects surrounding the ancient Egyptians. They believed that the insect had enormous magical powers that could be transmitted to humans. It helps you overcome all life's difficulties and achieve success.

One of the main meanings of the scarab beetle is the origin of life. Therefore, women who for a long time couldn’t get pregnant, they kept amulets with them all the time depicting this insect. Thanks to him, it was possible to bear a healthy baby.

Decorating the body with drawings was very popular in Ancient Egypt. Tattoos were especially popular among the nobility. People believed that images of a scarab beetle stuffed onto the skin would become a kind of pass to the afterlife and bestow the favor of the gods.

An ancient statue dedicated to the sun beetle has survived to this day and is located in Luxor, Egypt. She is capable of doing the most cherished wish. To implement it, you need to touch the statue with your hand. Then, go around it seven times in a circle, clockwise. During the walk, it is important to keep your desire in mind. It really must be difficult to implement. Scarab won't waste his time on nonsense.

Rules for using the amulet

IN modern world amulets are no less popular than in ancient times. Numerous tourists bring scarab beetle figurines from Egypt. What does it symbolize now and who should wear it? Anyone who needs help and protection.

IN horror stories You shouldn’t believe about cannibal scarabs. These are just the fantasies of Hollywood directors. You must treat your amulet bug with respect and love.

The functions that a talisman performs are different and depend on many factors. For example, the impact of a scarab tattoo on a person will be different from the impact of a home figurine with its image. The amulet can be made in the form of:

• jewelry;
• pendant;
• keychain;
• brooches;
• figurines;
• tattoos;
• engravings.

Some people use dead beetles as a talisman. They dry them in a special way and store them in boxes. Sometimes used for magical rituals. Dried bugs are ground into dust and consumed internally. Sorcerers believe that this allows one to gain incredible strength and get rid of diseases.

Pendant

Pendants with the image Egyptian beetle Scarabs are able to protect their owner from failure. It is best if such an amulet was received as a gift - this will enhance its properties. You can purchase the pendant yourself. In this case, when making a purchase, you do not need to take change from the seller.

The new pendant must be cleared of foreign energy and charged. This can be done using natural elements. The beetle was born in the earth, which means she must cleanse it. Of course, this does not mean that the pendant will have to get dirty in black soil.

Natural sea salt is suitable for cleansing. It is quite often used in magical rituals. Cover the new amulet with salt for several hours.

After the pendant is cleaned, it needs to be charged. This can be done with the help of the sun, which symbolizes the scarab. At sunrise, place the amulet on the balcony or windowsill so that the rays completely illuminate it. After a few hours, the amulet is ready.

The scarab pendant will be located near the heart. This means that it will help improve health and fill you with vital energy. In addition, the amulet will protect against heart failures and betrayals of friends. The scarab will help develop intuition, strengthen mental capacity. Will attract good luck and success.

Figurine for home

The scarab beetle talisman can be made in the form of a figurine. It is also engraved on a box, candlestick and other interior items. In this case, the purpose of the amulet is to protect the house.

The owner need not worry, the bug will cope with its task and protect from evil. A figurine or object depicting a scarab can be placed in the bedroom. In this case, the amulet will protect against diseases and protect the spouses from home-wreckers. Will help you conceive a long-awaited child.

The scarab, which is in the living room, will protect from enemies and envious people. Takes care of the good reputation of its owners. It will also attract useful people.

The amulet will work to attract wealth if you choose a place for it in the kitchen. In such a house no one will know what need is. All household members will have money.

If a student or schoolchild lives in the house, it is recommended to place the figurine in his room. The beetle will help you with your studies. It will reveal previously unnoticed talents in the child.

Scarab tattoo

One type of talisman is a scarab tattoo. In ancient times, such images were allowed only to priests and high nobility. Today anyone can do this.

As a tattoo, the scarab beetle is more suitable for women, as it allows them to enhance their sexuality. In addition, such an amulet has other qualities:

• increases self-confidence;
• allows a woman to remain young and attractive longer;
• relieves infertility;
• protects from envious people;
• increases vitality;
• gets rid of rivals.

The best place for a scarab talisman tattoo is the back, arm, neck or behind the ear. The brighter the image, the stronger the amulet will be. You can complement the image of a beetle with various magical symbols.

Gentle individuals should refrain from such a tattoo. The talisman requires confidence and firmness from a person, and in some cases toughness. The soul of an indecisive and soft person will resist this, which will lead to internal conflict.

Keychain

The image of a scarab beetle can also be found on keychains. This amulet is suitable for those people who want to protect their home or car from intruders. It’s not for nothing that beetles were depicted on the walls of tombs. The insect not only helped the soul of the deceased in the afterlife, it protected the tomb from invasion by robbers.

A scarab on your keychain will protect your car from accidents and damage. And the house from a fire or a neighbor's flood. In addition, he will make sure that there is always peace and quiet at home.

Jewelry

Jewelry made from precious stones can also act as strong amulet. When choosing a scarab beetle decoration, you should give preference to those figurines that are made of gold. Since it is this metal, like the insect itself, that symbolizes the sun. It is better to avoid buying jewelry in white gold.

If the beetle's body is covered with enamel, it should be green or of blue color. The scarab can be decorated with precious stones such as diamond, emerald, amber or ruby. The talisman will not only bring prosperity, success, longevity and happiness to the owner, it will protect him from the evil eye and damage.

What does the Christian Church think?

Wearing talismans Christian church considers it a manifestation of magic. Only pagans believe in amulets. They, unlike Christians, are convinced that certain objects will help them find happiness and success in life. Such people live contrary to the will of God.

Participation in magical practices and wearing such attributes is strictly prohibited in the Bible. Orthodox Christians wear a cross on their body. And in their homes they can surround themselves with icons.

A Christian can also decorate himself with jewelry or costume jewelry. It could even be an image of a scarab beetle. But provided that a person treats such a thing only as a decoration and does not attach any sacred meaning to it.

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