Expository Essay - Ancient Egyptians - 1575 Words

Ancient Egyptian Tattoos Brooke Campbell COM/150 June 27, 2010 Bill Wilke Egyptians are highly known for their glorious pyramids, powerful pharaohs, and endless amounts of gold and jewels. When we think of Egyptians we also think of tombs, curses, and cats being a source of protection. However, it is not known to many that they have not only defined the art, but also the meaning behind tattooing. Tattoos are the one thing still captured on the bodies of mummies, in which were discovered from over a millennium ago. Females in particular, had specific tattoos which were used as a therapeutic role during pregnancy and birth. Each tattoo had specific color and significance behind the symbols. Handmade tools were also used in the craft†¦show more content†¦Tattoos were presumed to be part of a permanent amulet that could not be lost. An amulet is defined as a trinket, or piece of jewelry that was thought to have magical protection against evil or disease. In other instances disease would have been another reason that Egyptian females would have acquire d a tattoo as well, simply to protect their health while carrying a child. Their significance in symbols also ranged from medical protection to fertility for women. Many tattoos that were used by Egyptians derived from their writing system, which consisted of pictures and symbols. The Scarab, also known as a beetle, was considered a symbol for renewing life. Madhura (2010), â€Å"It was also considered as one of the many royal titles used by the Pharaohs and was also found to be used by Tutankhamen, one of the most famous Egyptian Pharaohs† (Egyptian Tattoo Designs, para 4). He also explains a symbol used called the eye. Madhura (2010), â€Å"The Ankh or the eye is a widely identified and used symbol of Egyptian culture. In the ancient times, it represented life and was hence one of the respected symbols. Among the different designs of the Ankh, the eye of the Horus is more popular as it stands for the good luck. The eye of Horus, also known as the eye of the Ra, is believed to be the all-seeing eye that was also used in amulets worn by the ancient Egyptians. The Egyptian cross or the Ankh alsoShow MoreRelated Mumbo Jumbo by Ishmael Reed Essay3625 Words   |  15 PagesNew York, is an X factor, as neo-hoodoo ?detective? Papa LaBas calls it. Although Reed takes the term Jes? Grew from James Weldon Johnson (who wrote that the earliest Ragtime songs, like Topsy, jes grew , he traces it as far back as an ancient Egyptian dance craze that reappears in New Orleans in the 1890s. Throughout the book the hoodoo, or better, the philosophy behind hoodoo is paid a lot of attention. This is significant, because in the postmodern aesthetics there is a turn to the hyper-realismRead MoreReading Mumbo Jumbo3739 Words   |  15 PagesNew York, is an X factor, as neo-hoodoo detective Papa LaBas calls it. Although Reed takes the term Jes Grew from James Weldon Johnson (who wrote that the earliest Ragtime songs, like Topsy, jes grew , he traces it as far back as an ancient Egyptian dance craze that reappears in New Orleans in the 1890s. Throughout the book the hoodoo, or better, the philosophy behind hoodoo is paid a lot of attention. This is significant, because in the postmodern aesthetics there is a turn to the hyper-realism