Colours and Materials

Gold was named "nebw" of "nub". It was associated with the power of the sun god Ra (or Re), the pharaoh. However gold was also associated with Set who was sometimes known as "He of Gold town" (the town of Nubt). The skin of the gods was thought to be formed from gold and so gold was thought to represent eternity and purity. Gold was represented by the hieroglyph of a gold necklace, the kind often given by the king to his faithfull subjects as an honour.

Silver was named "Hedj". The word Hedj also means white, and silver was sometimes known as "white gold". It represented purity, but could also represent the moon (when paired with gold as the sun). Silver was very rare in Egypt, and so was worth more than gold during the Old Kingdom. By the Middle Kingdom supplies had improved and silver was valued at roughly half the value of gold. Silver became more popular in the pharonic burials of the Twenty-first and Twenty-second dynasties but it is not clear whether this was because of an increase in supply (making it cheaper than gold) or because of artistic or mythological reasons (and a possible link to the god Sokar.

Silver was also used as a base for currency with the major commodities (beer, bread, linen etc). The shat (seniu, Sna or shena) was a flat disc weighing about 7.5 or 7.6g of silver while the deben wieghed between 90 and 91g. Deben and shat were not actually used as a form of coin, rather they were used to compare the value of different comoddities with reference to their value in silver.

Lapis Lazuli was known as "Khesbedj". Its dark blue colour symbolised fertility and good luck and was associated with the sky and the universe.

The Egyptians called Malachite "Wahdj". The word was written with the hieroglyph of a papyrus plant, which was also used to write "green", "flourish" or "be healthy". Malachite represented joyfulness and was closely associated with the goddess Hathor.

Red Jasper was known as "khenmet" (from the verb hnm, "to delight"). Red could symbolise blood, in particular "the blood of Isis", and hence life and vivacity.

Turquoise was known as "mefkAt". It symbolised fertility, good luck, and protection against the evil eye. Turquoise was also associated with Hathor and was highly prized by the ancient Egyptians.

Amethyst (a purple form of quartz) was also popular in Ancient Egypt. The gem was usually formed into beads to create beautiful necklaces but there are also some fine examples of Amethyst rings. The modern word Amethyst is derived from a Greek word meaning "without drunkenness" but in Ancient Egypt the gem was associated with the pharaoh power. Amethyst jewellery became common in the tombs of nobles during prosperous periods and there is some evidence that Egyptian soldiers wore Amethyst amulets in battle to give them courage and strength.

Lotus was known as "sSn" (seShen). The blue lotus or water lilly was the symbol of Upper Egypt, often appearing with the papyrus plant to represent the unified country. The flower also had a strong solar connection because its petals opened every sunrise only to close again at sunset. According to one myth, the creator god (Ra, Atum or Nefertum) emerged from a lotus at the beginning of creation. The flower also has narcotic qualities and so was closely linked to Nefertum in his role as the god of aromatherapy and pharmacology. The Egyptians considered the lotus to be a fertility symbol and an aphrodisiac as well as associating it with life after death.

Myrrh, known as "antyw", was one of the ancient Egyptians most prized resins. Expeditions to Punt to trade for Myrrh were recorded as a great triumph on the walls of Hathsepsut´s temple. Myrrh was used in incense, perfume and embalming. In ointment form it was a remedy for headache, backache, toothache and to promote the healing of wounds. The scent was closely associated with Hathor and to a lesser extent Isis as the essence of female sexuality and beauty. Myrrh also had a solar connection. In Heliopolis Myrrh incense was burned in devotions dedicated to the sun god Ra.

Sandalwood was highly prized by the Egyptians for its beautiful scent. It was used during the mummification process so that the deceased did not offend the nose of Anubis in the hall of Judgement. Smelling good was just as important in the afterworld. Sandalwood was also used to remedy indigestion, calm headaches, and to treat gout.

Frankincense (known as Olibanum in the ancient world) was very popular in Ancient Egypt. It was burned as an offering to the gods and was thought to aid meditation and relaxation. The Egyptians were also aware of the medicinal qualities of the resin, using it to aleviate throat infections and asthma, soothe headaches and to reduce bleeding. The Ancient Egyptians also ground the charred resin to make kohl eye liner.

Cedar was considered to be very precious partly because few trees grew within Egypt's borders and cedar wood was thought to be the most beautiful, strong and fragrant. Craftsmen built stunning furniture and boats from cedar and it was a common ingredient in incense (including the precious incense known as "Kapet" or "Kyphi") and was used in mummification.