represents the importance of the soul moving
toward the light—that is, moving toward higher
consciousness or awareness.
Finally, the scarab always creates a ball of dung
in a perfect sphere, much like our own planet and
other celestial bodies, and buries it in the Earth for
28 days, the exact cycle of the moon and female
menstrual cycle. The scarab beetle reminds
women and men to adhere to the natural laws of
nature as it works diligently at maintaining order.
The scarab was associated with the solar god of
resurrection Khepri, who was also connected to
new life and creation, Amen.
Another animal worthy of note is the dog or
jackal as represented by Anubis, whose ears are
erect and open. This is linked with the jackal’s
clairaudient ability to hear beyond the capabilities
of the human ear. Next is the serpent or uraeus,
usually depicted on the front of the king’s crown
symbolizing upright readiness and an enlightened
soul. The cobra is also associated with the fertility
goddess, Renent, depicted nursing children and
protecting the pharaoh.
Ancient Africans also connected closely to birds
such as the stork, which symbolized the Ba or Soul
as well as the falcon or hawk. Because of the protec-
tive powers it possessed, it was linked with royalty
and seen as the guardian of the ruler and further-
more associated with the Solar God, Horus.
Similarly, the ibis or akhu bird was considered an
aspect of the soul as was represented by Tehuti, the
god of knowledge. As in the case of Tehuti, more
than one animal is often connected to one deity, and
the same can be said of Amun and his personifica-
tion as the ram and goose. The ostrich is yet another
bird that was associated with Maat, the personifica-
tion of order, justice, and balance. Another animal
of equal importance is the cat as personified by Bast,
also connected to the sun god, Ra.
Furthermore, the lion is one of the most well-
known examples as depicted on the head of the
sphinx. The lion personifies the rising and setting
sun, guardian of the horizon. Lions are also linked
to solar deities and many pharaohs, as well as
Sekhmet, who possessed the head of a lioness. The
lion of Judah is also a prime example because it
symbolizes rulership and ferocity.
Elizabeth AndradeSee alsoBats
Further Readings
Budge, E. A. W. (1978).Egyptian Magic.Secaucs, NJ:
Citadel Press.
Dunard, F., & Zivie-Coche, C. (2004).Gods and Men in
Egypt:3000 BC to 395 CE. Ithaca, NY: Cornell
University.
Gadalla, M. (2001).The All Who Are the One.
Greensboro, NC: Tehuti Research Foundation.
Mbiti, J. (1975).Introduction to African Religion.
Nigeria: Heinemann Educational Books.ANIMATISM
Animatism, not to be confused with animism, is
the belief in a supernatural power that animates all
living things in an impersonal sense. It is therefore
not individualized or specialized in terms of a par-
ticular object, such as one finds in animism, but is
a rather more generalized belief in an invisible,
powerfully impersonal energy that is everywhere.
Of course, it is possible that some individuals
might tap into this power and consequently be able
to manipulate it better than others.
In some African societies, as among the Asante
of Ghana, it is thought that the king carries with
him the ability to change the nature of society by
how he handles his office. In fact, if he endangers
the order of the universe by violating certain
taboos that threaten to destabilize the community
by misappropriating or misusing the unseen
power of the Earth, he might risk losing his office.
Thus, the belief in supernatural energy that is
not a part of a supernatural being is the essence of
animatism. Derived from the same Latin root as
animism, the termanimatismwas meant to differ-
entiate the individual spirit in animate and inani-
mate objects from the more generalized belief in
the active spirit of the universe. One cannot grant
any ethical or moral quality to this active spirit
because it is neither good nor evil, neither right
nor wrong, but everywhere present and therefore
inherently dangerous if it is violated. Some have
described it by the electricity metaphor; it is every-
where and it can bring harm, but it is not moral or
immoral; it is amoral.
Although one may find animatism and animism
in the same culture, they must be distinguished as
concepts. Animism may be said to have personalityAnimatism 57