Valley of the Kings
Of course, I knew of the significance of scarab beetles in ancient Egyptian culture before visiting the country. I had read that these humble insects symbolised rebirth, protection and the eternal cycle of life. When scarab beetles rolled balls of dung in the morning, it was as if they were rolling out the golden orb itself so they were connected with the sun god Ra.
Visiting tombs and temples in The Nile Valley I was drawn to several images of scarab beetles in the hieroglyphs and stone carvings. It seemed that when you looked they were everywhere - venerated and yet one of the humblest creatures of all.
As a souvenir gift for Phoebe I picked a golden scarab ornament that she could place on her window ledge. Maybe one day - when she is learning about Egypt at school - she will remember to take her special beetle in for other children to see.
And I bought myself a carved stone scarab beetle from Hopi's shop on the waterfront at Luxor. He had several very old ones in a dusty glass cabinet but this was the one I picked after knocking him down from one thousand Egyptian pounds to six hundred. That is about nine British pounds or $12US. There were many cheaper scarabs in the shop but I wanted to rescue this particular one. It was calling to me.
Temple of Khnum, Elephantine Island, Aswan
Perhaps you were wondering, "Do scarab beetles still exist?" And if so, I am happy to reassure you that they are certainly still with us. In fact there are 35,000 known types of beetle within the scarab family. The particular beetle that the Egyptians revered was the "scarabaeus sacer" or sacred scarab. I hope you are not eating right now...
They are fascinating creatures but, ooh, beetles make me shudder.
ReplyDeleteI guess you preferred Gerry and the Pacemakers.
DeleteI was fascinated by all the scarab depictions as well. I took lots of photos of them. Didn't see any real ones, though! (And didn't buy a souvenir one, though I like yours.)
ReplyDeleteI think we would have had to go into the fertile fields of Egypt to find living scarab beetles.
DeleteA great souvenir!
ReplyDeleteA great addition to my clutter.
DeleteI have a scarab bracelet that my grandmother brought me from a trip to Egypt when I was a child. I'm not sure I realized they were the same as a dung beetle. I'm always amused when I see one rolling his dung ball (backwards, at that). If I have my cellphone on me (which I always do) I have to stop and take a video. See what you're missing out on by not having a mobile phone?!
ReplyDeleteI ain't missing nuthin' honey-pie.
DeleteI have heard of the scarab but didn't know anything about it.
ReplyDeleteI have an interest in symbols.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry to have seen your beetle. It isn't very pretty and looks like a soak in bleach would improve its appearance. Phoebe's is nice.
ReplyDeleteSo interesting to watch those perfectly round balls being made and carted away, but what do they do with them? Just store them? Like squirrels store nuts for future eating?
ReplyDeleteI like your and Phoebe's Scarabs very much.
O.K. and I often see glossy black dung beetles on the paths in the Black Forest where we like to hike. We are always careful not to step on them (but then we are careful not to harm any insect or other animal, even though I must admit to have killed quite a few wasps and spiders in my life - but only when they were where they had no business to be, and threatened to eat me alive).
ReplyDeleteNow you and Phoebe both have an Egyptian scarab in your homes! Another connection between you and your granddaughter.
They are the symbol of the interconnectedness of life. Without dung beetles we would have huge piles of dung climbing to the sky. They are part of the cycle. Phoebe's scarab is beautiful.
ReplyDeleteBusy little beasts, aren't they?
ReplyDeleteThe scarab loses some of it's mystical charm when you learn it's actually a dung beatle! That was a nice gift to bring Phoebe and yours is a nice memento. Did they have them as fridge magnets too?
ReplyDeleteA marvelous memory trigger of a great adventure.
ReplyDeleteI like the jeweled ones, and the carved ones, but y'all can have the real ones, dead or alive!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great gift for Phoebe. "My grandpa bought this for me all the way from Egypt!"
ReplyDeleteI have a scarab bracelet but never made the connection to Egypt... Thanks for the info.
ReplyDeleteI've always been amazed that there are dung beetles. Mother nature abhors a vacuum too.
ReplyDeleteThose are lovely scarabs that you bought for yourself and for Phoebe.