Kheper Scarab Beetle, a photo from Luxor, Inland

Photographer's Note

A giant scarab beetle carved from pink granite in front of the Hypostyle hall.

Here's a profiled shot I found.

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Karnak_temple_scarab_beetle_A.jpg

I have removed some ropes in the sky and bird droppings on the sculpture. In ancient Egyptian religion, the scarab was a symbol of immortality, resurrection, transformation and protection & was much used in funerary art. I was surprised to learn that there are 2,200 scarab species native to Australia. From traveleg.com:

"This huge 2 metre high sculpture was dedicated by king Amenhotep III and is located in the north eastern corner of the sacred lake of King Thotmoses III. The statue was very popular in ancient times, as it was believed to be one of the images of the god Ra, and also a symbol of good luck given by the same god. The popularity of the scarab is maintained by the tour guides who save no effort to convince tourists to walk around the statue for certain rounds seeking good luck and success in their life. This is introduced to the tourist by the guides as a wishing chance!!

The tourist makes his wish which could be a fortune, a new born, a handsome husband (boy friend), success, and happiness in general.

For each wish the tourist should turn around the scarab some specific rounds which scarab-blue-icons told by guides, 3 rounds (the least) for a common wish (happiness, success, etc), 7 rounds for an impossible wish (to get cured of hard diseases, get a baby,.etc), 21 rounds for a handsome Egyptian husband, or a beautiful Egyptian wife (guide's joke, but people do walk around it for 21 rounds)." The place was deserted when I was there and I was blissfully unaware of the 'lucky rounds'. Probably clockwise as in some Asian cultures. I doubt I would have made 21 in the blistering 48c heat! The ancient Egyptians saw an analogy between the dung beetle rolling circular piles of dung across the ground, with life appearing from death (larvae hatching), and Amun Re 'rolling' the sun across the sky from east to west and also having power over life and death.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Khepri

pierrefonds, ikeharel, pajaran, PaulVDV, holmertz, Royaldevon, jhm, macjake, ricardomattos oznaczył to zdjęcie jeko użyteczne

Critiques | Translate

pierrefonds (113512) 2021-03-23 16:39

Bonsoir Chris,

Le sujet est bien cadré. La prise de vue permet de voir les détails de la sculpture de scarabée. La lumičre met en valeur la beauté des couleurs. Bonne soirée.

Pierre

ifege (46851) 2021-03-23 20:17

Hi Chris
The world's biggest scarab beetle. A very interesting photo and note.
How are you going with the latest rain? Here we had nearly 300mm in a few days but just the odd leak in our 100 year old timber house.
cheers
Ian

Silvio1953 (220495) 2021-03-23 22:48

Ciao Chris, great view of fantastic sculpture, excellent clarity, fine details, splendid light and wonderful colors, very well done, my friend, ciao Silvio

jemaflor (146206) 2021-03-23 23:43

Hi Chris,
Nice frame with this strange statue and animal, good quality, tones, sharpness, tfs.

PaulVDV (62770) 2021-03-24 0:36

Hello Chris,
Interesting note on the scarab as a symbol of the ancient Egyptians.
This block of granite has beautiful colours.
Well shown with the relief on the front side.
Best regards, Paul

holmertz (101930) 2021-03-24 2:29

Hello Chris,
It's an interesting sculpture, still quite beautiful after so many years. Especially the reliefs on the front seem to be in a good condition. I suppose that surface isn't quite as affected by bird droppings. It's impressive that you managed to see so much and take so many carefully exposed and sharp photos in 48 °C.
Regards,
Gert

Royaldevon (85606) 2021-03-24 7:53

Hello Chris,

When we were researching Ancient Egypt, in primary school, the children were very amused at the choice of the scarab beetle, to hold such importance. Obviously the ancient Egyptians recognised its cleverness and ability to survive!

We don't really get an impression of the scale of this carving, which your notes explain is quite large, but it is a fine carving especially when you realise when it was carved and how long it has survived.
The mottled stone looks like a very beautiful substance for the carving.

You have done a fine job of cloning!

My warm regards,
Bev :-)

jhm (211734) 2021-03-24 10:36

Hello Chris,

You chose a lovely angle and great detailed view.
Excellent sharp and clear photographed.
Composition and presentation make your picture attractive.
Very well done, TFS.

Have a nice day,
John.

lousat (138551) 2021-03-24 11:32

Hi Chris,lucky moment,you caught the scarab beetle withoue the usual lot of people turning around..ehehe...perfect front view from a new magnificent memory of your trip in Karnak,i like it! Have a nice evening and thanks,Luciano

macjake (98260) 2021-03-24 15:25

Hi Chris
what the heck is this? Let me read the note.
Very interesting and informative note, well done. and yes, 48 degree heat is not the time to do 21 rounds! excellent subject content, its been a learning experience reading this...cool post. cheers
Craig

ricardomattos (17368) 2021-03-25 17:57

Hi Chris,

Hi Chris,

This was one of the gods of ancient Egypt and that the true God made a point of embarrassing itself in one of those ten plagues that came upon Egypt to set the Hebrews free. This sculpture looks very big. Good thing you didn't have to turn around in this scorching heat.

Best regards

Ricardo

mkamionka (73256) 2021-03-26 13:43

Hi Chris,
I would be scared to think that there are 2200 scarabs in total and you mention so many different species...
Great "portrait" of the huge insect.I like the variety of color tones. Very good idea to focus on this important Egyptian symbol.
Excellent work,
M

jmdias (114196) 2021-04-01 12:19

chris

this remind me the village of my father in portugal, the locals were nicknamed as scarabs and the ones of the land of my mother were the "little cocks".
excellent pov and closer view of the sculpture.

take care

jorge

foxy (3423) 2021-04-02 5:05

Hello Chris,
Nobody told me about the 'wishing' scarab when I was there :-) maybe I was not paying attention to the guide.
Only if I knew , I would definitely do more than 21 rounds :-) what will my wish be?
This is one fine looking 'giant scarab' staring at us with the amazing pink granite carved to perfection in spite of some broken edges and the removed 'droppings'.
One more popular temple is the temple of Horus, Edfu. I also love the Horus Falcon statues.
As you mentioned about the symbol of scarab, I even bought a gold scarab pendant .....silly of me!!!
Thanks for sharing this 'good luck charm'.
Loong