Harthor Cartouche Necklace

Hathor, often depicted as a cow-horned goddess embodied a multitude of roles and attributes within the Egyptian belief system. She was renowned as the goddess of love, music, dance, fertility, and motherhood. Hathor's benevolent nature extended to overseeing the afterlife, where she welcomed and cared for the souls of the departed, ensuring their peaceful transition into the realm of the dead.

The name "Hathor", also known as Het-Heru means House Of Heru(Horus). Hence, in cartouche(Shen) you see the hieroglyphic of a falcon(Horus) in a square(house).

Hathor represented as a falcon, an "ankh" symbol, and the oval cartouche. This symbolic combination is rich in significance: the falcon denotes her celestial connection, the ankh symbolizes life and immortality, and the cartouche, enclosing her name, signifies protection and eternity.

The cartouche, an oval-shaped frame, was a sacred container for the names of Pharaohs and deities. It served as a protective shield, safeguarding the eternal essence of the individual it encapsulated. In Hathor's case, it beautifully encapsulates her role as both a nurturing mother goddess and a powerful guardian of the afterlife.

The word cartouche is French, and derives from the word “carcass”, meaning dead bodies. They usually found these amulets in the tombs of the pharaohs. That’s why they called them cartouches(carcasses).

But the correct name for these oval shaped pieces of art is “Shen”, is a prominent oval shape that enclosed hieroglyphic symbols. It was reserved for the names of Pharaohs and deities. It signified the eternal nature of the individual whose name it contained, shielding them from harm in both the mortal realm and the afterlife.

For the ordinary person, a jewel with the name of the deity or king in the cartouche(Shen) guaranteed the wearer's protection.

Material: 18k Gold Plated

Chain length: 18” or 22”

Chain Type: Rope chain

Pendant Width x Height: 1" x 2”