Decorative Egyptian Motifs had the following patterns: cobra, cow, feather flower, Geometric, Hathor, scarab, sphinx, and star. Also, they had different kinds of borders. The Lotus Flower was the symbol of sun and creation.

Symbolism also played an important role in establishing a sense of order. Symbolism, ranging from the Pharaoh’s regalia (symbolizing his power to maintain order) to the individual symbols of Egyptian gods and goddesses, was omnipresent in Egyptian art.

Egyptian Symbolic Figures

Animals were usually also highly symbolic figures in Egyptian art. Color, as well, had extended meaning – Blue and green represented the Nile and life; yellow stood for the sun god, and red represented power and vitality. Despite the stilted form caused by a lack of perspective, ancient Egyptian art is often highly realistic.

Ancient Egyptian artists often show a sophisticated knowledge of anatomy and a close attention to detail, especially in their renderings of animals. The Eye of Horus symbol was used in funerary rites and decoration, as instructed in the Egyptian Book of the Dead. Hence, the sacred eye could also function as a symbol of offerings.

Scarabs were worn as jewelry and amulets in ancient Egypt. The Heart Scarab, which had hieroglyphic inscriptions on the back, was often buried with the dead to ensure the rebirth of the deceased in the afterlife.

A great symbol of Ancient Egypt is the Sphinx. A magnificent monument carved out of living rock, sits outstandingly in the Giza Plateau. It was built near the Giza Pyramids around 2500 BC by the pharaoh Khafre. It is thought that Sphinx is a guardian of the horizon for the later journey of the kings in the life-after.

Important Egyptian Motifs

The deities were also important motifs in ancient Egypt. Ra was often considered to be the King of the Gods and thus the patron of the pharaoh and one of the central gods of the Egyptian pantheon. The ancient Egyptian God Ra has been associated with the sun, heaven, light, power, kingship and the creation of the universe. Anubis was the Egyptian god of the underworld who guided the spirits of the dead into the afterlife.

Horus was a god of the sky, light, and goodness who soared above and protected the land of the Pharaohs. He is usually depicted as a falcon or a man with a falcon’s head wearing the crown of all Egypt. Modern-day Egypt still celebrates festivals dedicated to god Osiris. Osiris is usually depicted as a mummy wearing the Atef crown with a crook and flail in his hands.