Another point about marks: they take the animal form.
Animals are crucial for our survival, which is why we worship them.
Here, the mark becomes a vulture, inscribed into a relief in an ancient Egyptian frieze. The vulture symbolizes protection and maternal care.
So, the mark follows the myth. and the myth becomes decoration, which appears in temple ceilings, headdresses, cornices, armor, etc.
Pigs were associated with the God of Chaos.
The ram was associated with the gods Banebdjedet and Khnum and the attributes of fertility, strength, and birth.
The goose was associated with Geb, Isis, and Amon, and its attribute was strength. Antelopes were associated with Sokar and carried his royal and overseer attributes. Antelope heads graced the prow of ceremonial boats that stood in temple sanctuaries; this decorative arrangement was considered sacred.
The baboon was associated with Thoth, Khonsu, and Hapy, gods that possessed the qualities of eloquence, strength, fairness, and responsibility. Thoth was the god responsible for the lunar-based calendar and was often depicted with the head of a baboon in ancient Egyptian pictographs.
The Snake, in general, was associated with justice, fertility, protection, and royalty and was a symbol of resurrection.
Crocodiles were associated with Amnut, Sobek, and Taweret, the gods of justice, power, and respect. Frogs were abundant in ancient Egypt. Because there were so many of them, the Egyptians associated them were fertility, resurrection and childbirth and the gods,
Falcons and hawks were associated with Horus, Montu and Socar, the gods of royalty, protection and strength. Because of this, these gods were oftentimes depicted with the head of a falcon, and the pharaoh often had a falcon with outstretched wings hovering above his head on his throne
The scarab was considered to represent the creation of life. It appears in reliefs, amulets, decoration of columns, etc.
Who made these design decisions? The craftspeople? The priesthood?
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