Difference between revisions of "Template:POTD protected"

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|style="padding:0 0.9em 0 0;" | [[File:Bloodstones1.jpg|300px|thumb|]]
|style="padding:0 0.9em 0 0;" | [[File:Foreleg of Set Amulets.jpg|300px|thumb|]]
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The mineral aggregate '''[[bloodstone]]''' is a cryptocrystalline mixture of quartz that occurs mostly as [[jasper]] (opaque) or sometimes as chalcedony (translucent). The "classic" bloodstone is opaque green jasper with red inclusions of hematite. The red inclusions may resemble spots of blood, hence its name. The name heliotrope derives from various ancient notions about the manner in which the mineral reflects light. Such notions are described, for example, by Pliny the Elder.
'''[[Set]]''' is a god of deserts, storms, disorder, violence, and foreigners in ancient [[Egyptian religion]]. In a legend in the [[Pyramid Texts]], as punishment for his rebellion and overthrow of Osiris, Set was transformed into a sacrificial red ox (some legends say a red goat). His foreleg (''xpS'') was cut off and thrown into the sky where it became Meskhetiu (''Msxtyw''), a group of seven stars in the northern sky (likely either Ursa Major or Ursa Minor).
 
Bloodstone was called "stone of Babylon" by Albertus Magnus and he referred to several magical properties, which were attributed to it from Late Antiquity. Pliny the Elder (1st century) mentioned first that the [[magician]]s used it as a stone of invisibility. Damigeron (4th century) wrote about its ability to make rain, solar eclipse and its special virtue in [[divination]] and preserving health and youth.


The foreleg was not only a protective god, but it was also a lasting symbol of power and strength, especially of strength in the afterlife. Thousands of blue or red foreleg amulets have been found wrapped in the bandages of mummies across all periods of Egyptian history, and drawings of ''Msxtyw'' feature prominently alongside the [[Egyptian decans|decanal stars]] in the Middle Kingdom Period coffins.


<p><small>Photographer: [[Travis McHenry]]</small></p>
<p><small>Photographer: [[Travis McHenry]]</small></p>
[[:Category:Images|'''(More Images)''']]
[[:Category:Images|'''(More Images)''']]
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Revision as of 02:37, 15 April 2024

Foreleg of Set Amulets.jpg

Set is a god of deserts, storms, disorder, violence, and foreigners in ancient Egyptian religion. In a legend in the Pyramid Texts, as punishment for his rebellion and overthrow of Osiris, Set was transformed into a sacrificial red ox (some legends say a red goat). His foreleg (xpS) was cut off and thrown into the sky where it became Meskhetiu (Msxtyw), a group of seven stars in the northern sky (likely either Ursa Major or Ursa Minor).

The foreleg was not only a protective god, but it was also a lasting symbol of power and strength, especially of strength in the afterlife. Thousands of blue or red foreleg amulets have been found wrapped in the bandages of mummies across all periods of Egyptian history, and drawings of Msxtyw feature prominently alongside the decanal stars in the Middle Kingdom Period coffins.

Photographer: Travis McHenry

(More Images)