Egyptian Scarab Beetle Small Paperweight Homeschooling Teaching Aid Statue 2.4L x 1.75W

Small Egyptian beetle for appreciating ancient mythology and old world traditions. The Egyptian scarab beetle was associated very early on in Egypt with the generative forces of the rising sun and with the concepts of eternal renewal. The Egyptian symbol of renewal, the ankh, appears on top on his shell.

• Egyptian Scarab Beetle Replica is made from resin and crushed stone. Measures 2 3/8 in L x 1 3/4 in W x 1 in H. Weighs 4 oz.
• Finish: Hand-painted black with aged white wash finish. The ankh has a lovely gold painted accent. PN E-040KP
• This is a small size ancient Egyptian replica suitable for teaching, carrying in your pocket or as a desk paperweight.
• Reproduced after artifacts in the Egyptian Museum, Cairo.

The beetle is known for coming out of the sand backwards dragging its ball of dung behind it along the ground before depositing it in underground tunnels as a source of food for its larvae. Therefore it symbolizes the sun's daily journey across the heavens from East to West. Because the young beetles seemed to emerge spontaneously from these tunnels, the Egyptians worshiped the scarab under the name Khepri who they called He who came forth from the earth or He who came into being. Thus the beetle was equated with the creator God Atum from early times. Scarabs thus became potent amulets and were often placed upon the breasts of mummies in the position of the heart as a symbol of new life and were then weighed against the feather of truth in the final judgment. They were usually inscribed with part of chapter 30 of the Book of the Dead.