Was-sceptre
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Thewas(Egyptianwꜣs"power, dominion"[1])sceptreis a symbol that appeared often in relics, art, and hieroglyphs associated with theancient Egyptian religion.It appears as a stylized animal head at the top of a long, straight staff with a forked end.
Wassceptres were used as symbols of power or dominion, and were associated withancient Egyptian deitiessuch asSetorAnubis[2]as well as with thepharaoh.Wassceptres also represent theSet animalorKhnum.In later use, it was a symbol of control over the force of chaos that Set represented.
In a funerary context, thewassceptre was responsible for the well-being of the deceased and was thus sometimes included in the tomb-equipment or in the decoration of thetomborcoffin.The sceptre is also considered anamulet.The Egyptians perceived the sky as being supported on four pillars, which could have the shape of thewas.This sceptre was also the symbol of the fourthUpper Egyptiannome,the nome ofThebes(calledwꜣstin Egyptian).[3][1]
Wassceptres were depicted as being carried by gods, pharaohs, and priests. They commonly occur in paintings, drawings, and carvings of gods, and often parallel with emblems such as theankhand thedjed-pillar. Remnants of physicalwassceptres have been found. They are constructed offaienceor wood, where the head and forked tail of the Set animal are visible. The earliest examples date to theFirst Dynasty.
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Stela showing "Isisthe Great Goddess "sitting and holding awas-sceptre. A man, the head of necropolis workers, adores her.Middle Kingdom of Egypt,Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology,London -
Awassceptre carried by the godSet,in the tomb ofThutmose III -
Upper part of a stela showing a standing man adoringRa-Horakhty,who holds awas-sceptre.Nineteenth Dynasty of Egypt.Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology, London -
Head of a physicalwassceptre made from faience -
was-shaped amulet with animal head and forked tail
TheWas(wꜣs) is theEgyptian hieroglyphcharacter representingpower.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^ab Allen, James P. (2014-07-24).Middle Egyptian: An Introduction to the Language and Culture of Hieroglyphs.Cambridge University Press. p. 579.ISBN9781139917094.
- ^ "Horemheb KV 57".osirisnet.net.Retrieved2012-07-23.
- ^ "Was–sceptre".GlobalEgyptianMuseum.org.Retrieved2012-07-23.
External links[edit]
Media related toWas sceptreat Wikimedia Commons
