Tag: ancient symbols

Sacred Writs /

Ancient African Symbols Relationship To Religion

Ancient African Symbols

Animals were usually used to depict the characteristics of a particular Netcher (manifestation of God) since the nature of an animal was distinctive and consistent. Therefore, ancient African symbols relationship to religion is demonstrated through those animal representations. The following examples are a list of some of the ancient African symbols which provide insight into the essence of specific Netchery.

The Ibis Symbol

Ibis, a sacred bird

Consider that the ibis is a bird that sleeps with its head folded beneath its wing, simulating the shape of a heart. In ancient African symbolism, the heart was considered the seat of the soul and true intelligence. The Netcher Djhuiti was pictured with an ibis head representing divine articulation of speech and intelligence. He was keeper of the sacred cubit and the creator of science, writing and medicine. Moreover, Djhuiti was known to the Greeks as Thoth and Hermes. However, to the Romans, he was identified as Mercury.

The scarab beetle

Resurrection and the scarab beetle

In African culture the scarab beetle symbolized the resurrection and immortality of God as represented by the sun. In this connection, the scarab lays its eggs in a ball of dung which it rolls around on the ground in the direction of the sun. Sunlight warms the eggs within the dung ball facilitating their metamorphosis and emergence into light as winged scarabs. The ball of dung symbolizes matter, the eggs spiritual potential and the winged scarabs represent spiritual rebirth. Kheprea is the Netcher imbibing these transformative powers and is viewed as a metaphor for resurrection.

Ancient African Symbols – The Falcon

Falcon flight toward the sun

Now we look at the falcon symbol which represents sun and light. A falcon can soar into the air where light abounds with rapid flight. Therefore, the falcon represents the Netcher Heru, and his right eye symbolizes the sun and the sun’s ability, like that of God, to see all things at all times. In addition, the eye perceives light, indicative of the process of spiritual awareness. Native Americans incorporated similar inferences into their culture, such as, hawk eye and eagle eye.

Sacred Writs /

Ancient African Symbols Relationship To Religion

Introduction of ancient African symbols relationship to religion

African symbols have served an essential role in the development of every facet of civilization. Writing, art, science, philosophy and many other areas of everyday life have been influenced by these symbols. Ancient African symbols were a language which communicated on various levels, informing the educated mind of abstract and practical means of thought. Ancient African symbols relationship to religion were no less important for communicating an understanding of the divine or knowledge of God.

African priests observed the stars

Symbols from heaven

Ancient African astronomers/priests devoted themselves to the study of the heavens. They used symbols to catalog and codify their findings, subsequently submitting their reports to community officials. These astronomer/priest waxed well-versed in the secrets of the universe, discovering the movements of the stars and planets. Their increase in knowledge over generations enabled them to discern the relationships between phases of heavenly bodies and their influence on human beings, animals, vegetation and the earth itself.

Ancient African symbols

Relationship to religion

African astronomer/priest developed a specialized interest in religion as their knowledge began to increase. That knowledge empowered them to greater understand their relationship with the infinite power which was seen as God. Ancient Africans of the Nile River Valley viewed the universe as the ultimate expression of one superior being manifesting itself in all of the functions and principles of that universe. These features of the one supreme God were collectively referenced as Netcherw and individually as Netcher. Each manifestation of a Netcher was associated with a divine feature of God represented by a specific symbol. Animals were usually selected to represent qualities of a certain Netcher since the nature of animals were unique and tended to remain constant. The following examples illustrate some ancient African symbols relationship to religion.

Ancient African Symbols Relationship To Religion

Ancient symbol of truth

Our first example pointing out ancient African symbols relationship to religion is Maat. Maat is associated with the seven cardinal virtues, the keys to human perfectibility. They are: truth, justice, propriety, harmony, balance, reciprocity and order. The symbolic representation of Maat as a human figure with outstretched hands and wings is the prototype of the image of the angel found in the world’s major western religions. The ostrich feather and the balance are also symbols of Maat and the precepts she represents. The seven virtues and 42 admonitions of Maat were the guidelines of correct behavior and the standard against which the soul of the deceased would be judged. People who lived in accordance with the principles of Maat were guaranteed a just reward in the afterlife after the judgement of the soul. (Browder, Nile Valley Contributions to Civilization. 1992, p.82).

St. Michael painting inspired by African symbol

The divine attributes of Maat were the prime inspiration for the concept of the angel in Christian theology. The fifteenth-century painting of ” St Michael Weighing Souls ” portrays the winged image of a male weighing the soul of a man on the scale of judgement.