The Scarab Beetle in Egyptian Mythology

The Egyptians saw the scarab beetle as a symbol of death and rebirth. It was associated closely with the sun god ‘Khepri’ who was depicted as having a scarab beetle as a head!

Scarabs roll large balls of dung. The rolling of the ball was seen as symbolic of the sun rolling through the sky. The connection between the beetle and the sun was so close that the young sun god was thought to be reborn in the form of a winged scarab beetle every morning at sunrise. As this young sun god, known as Khepri, rose in the sky, he brought light and life to the land.

The Scarabs actually roll the balls of dung to lay their eggs in it. The young scarabs are hatched from this ball, and this was seen as an act of spontaneous self-creation, giving the beetle an even stronger association with the sun god’s creative force.

Scarab amulets were used for their magical rejuvenating properties by both the living and the dead. They were interpreted as a symbol of resurrection. Not only did it protect those who wore it as an amulet while alive from illness, but when placed next to the dead it meant that they could be resurrected and thus attain eternal life.

The scarab symbol is often engraved on the sarcophagi or tomb rooms in the Valley of the Kings as well as in other tombs around the country. Some of the Egyptian scarabs on tombs featured its open wings to ensure rebirth of the deceased and peaceful flight into the afterlife.

We have designed some beautiful scarab ear weights suitable for lobes of 3mm and above. We also have some incredible scarab beetle earrings with rainbow abalone inlay. They are ideal for hanging through tunnels! Also a smaller scarab design earrings with Mother of Pearl inlay.