The protective role of bes-image for women and children in ancient Egypt

Abstract EN

Bes- image played several protective roles in ancient Egypt.

He was a protector of women and children during and after childbirth as well as during sleep.

He was also a god of warfare and death.

In addition he was closely associated with sexuality, music, dance, and alcoholic beverages.

Bes-images are found on many items: Bedroom furniture, toiletry items, amulets, jewelry, musical instruments, stelae, weapons, equipment, game pieces, as well as on reliefs, frescoes, ostraca and papyrus.

This study aims to highlight the role of Bes as a protector deity in general and explore the aspects of Bes-image protection role in particular for women and children.

Historical and analytical methodology is used to achieve the aims of this paper.

The findings of this study reveal that the most significant aspects of the protection role of Bes image for women and children are mostly represented in the magic knives, Bes vessels, Bes figurines and Tattoos of Bes.

They were mostly applied during critical periods of women and children particularly during childbirth.