Tyet
Encyclopedia
The tyet is an ancient Egypt
ian symbol of the goddess
Isis
; its exact origin is unknown. In many respects the tyet resembles an ankh
, except that its arms curve down. Its meaning is also reminiscent of the ankh, as it is often translated to mean “welfare” or “life.” It seems to be called "the Knot of Isis" because it resembles a knot used to secure the garments that the Egyptian gods wore. The meaning of "the Blood of Isis" is more obscure, but it was often used as a funerary amulet made of a red stone or of glass. It is also speculated that the Tyet represents the menstrual blood flow from Isis' womb and its magical properties.
It is mentioned in the 156th spell for the Book of the Dead
:
In all these cases it seems to represent the ideas of resurrection and eternal life.
Also called Tyet, Tet, the Knot of Isis, Buckle of Isis, Girdle of Isis, and the Blood of Isis.
The symbol can be compared with the Minoan
sacral knot
, a symbol of a knot with a projecting loop found in Knossos
of Crete.
Ancient Egypt
Ancient Egypt was an ancient civilization of Northeastern Africa, concentrated along the lower reaches of the Nile River in what is now the modern country of Egypt. Egyptian civilization coalesced around 3150 BC with the political unification of Upper and Lower Egypt under the first pharaoh...
ian symbol of the goddess
Goddess
A goddess is a female deity. In some cultures goddesses are associated with Earth, motherhood, love, and the household. In other cultures, goddesses also rule over war, death, and destruction as well as healing....
Isis
Isis
Isis or in original more likely Aset is a goddess in Ancient Egyptian religious beliefs, whose worship spread throughout the Greco-Roman world. She was worshipped as the ideal mother and wife as well as the matron of nature and magic...
; its exact origin is unknown. In many respects the tyet resembles an ankh
Ankh
The ankh , also known as key of life, the key of the Nile or crux ansata, was the ancient Egyptian hieroglyphic character that read "eternal life", a triliteral sign for the consonants ʻ-n-ḫ...
, except that its arms curve down. Its meaning is also reminiscent of the ankh, as it is often translated to mean “welfare” or “life.” It seems to be called "the Knot of Isis" because it resembles a knot used to secure the garments that the Egyptian gods wore. The meaning of "the Blood of Isis" is more obscure, but it was often used as a funerary amulet made of a red stone or of glass. It is also speculated that the Tyet represents the menstrual blood flow from Isis' womb and its magical properties.
It is mentioned in the 156th spell for the Book of the Dead
Book of the Dead
The Book of the Dead is the modern name of an ancient Egyptian funerary text, used from the beginning of the New Kingdom to around 50 BC. The original Egyptian name for the text, transliterated rw nw prt m hrw is translated as "Book of Coming Forth by Day". Another translation would be "Book of...
:
- "You possess your blood, Isis, you possess your power, Isis, you possess your magic, Isis. The amulet is a protection for this Great One, which will drive off anyone who would perform a criminal act against him."
In all these cases it seems to represent the ideas of resurrection and eternal life.
Also called Tyet, Tet, the Knot of Isis, Buckle of Isis, Girdle of Isis, and the Blood of Isis.
The symbol can be compared with the Minoan
Minoan civilization
The Minoan civilization was a Bronze Age civilization that arose on the island of Crete and flourished from approximately the 27th century BC to the 15th century BC. It was rediscovered at the beginning of the 20th century through the work of the British archaeologist Arthur Evans...
sacral knot
Snake Goddess
Snake Goddess, indicates figurines of a woman holding a snake in each hand found during excavation of Minoan archaeological sites in Crete dating from approximately 1600 BCE.It seems that the two elegant idols found in Knossos represented goddesses and by implication, the term 'snake goddess'...
, a symbol of a knot with a projecting loop found in Knossos
Knossos
Knossos , also known as Labyrinth, or Knossos Palace, is the largest Bronze Age archaeological site on Crete and probably the ceremonial and political centre of the Minoan civilization and culture. The palace appears as a maze of workrooms, living spaces, and store rooms close to a central square...
of Crete.
See also
- TanitTanitTanit was a Phoenician lunar goddess, worshipped as the patron goddess at Carthage. Tanit was worshiped in Punic contexts in the Western Mediterranean, from Malta to Gades into Hellenistic times. From the fifth century BCE onwards Tanit is associated with that of Baal Hammon...
, Phoenician goddess - Snake goddessSnake GoddessSnake Goddess, indicates figurines of a woman holding a snake in each hand found during excavation of Minoan archaeological sites in Crete dating from approximately 1600 BCE.It seems that the two elegant idols found in Knossos represented goddesses and by implication, the term 'snake goddess'...
. - Knot (hieroglyph)Knot (hieroglyph)The ancient Egyptian Knot hieroglyph, or girdle knot, Gardiner sign listed no. S24, portrays a reef knot. Besides its use as a hieroglyph, it has usage in statuary and reliefs; it is also an amulet, typically made of worked stone, or as jewellery elements.-Language usage:The knot hieroglyph is...