KARNAK, LUXOR:
Temple of Amon. Scarab statue
Ancient Egyptian religion often took its inspiration from nature, and the dung beetle would become one the most central symbols. The reason was that it laid its eggs in a dung ball, which it would push around with its feet even though it was far larger than the beetle itself. The eggs would benefit from the dung, both as protection and from its warmth. With the image of the larva coming out of the dung ball, it fitted well as a symbol of rebirth, a central motif in ancient Egyptian religion. From this, a rather direct symbol was deducted. The dung ball represented the sun, rising up into the sky. The giant scarab statue at Karnak represents the god Khepri, the reborn sun at dawn.
