Queen Mar-Gara-Tiri...
the Egyptian Lotus Goddess...
guardian of Water Blossoms which grew profusely
in the ancient river civilizations
of the Near East.
The talisman itself is
in the design of the
Udjat Eye...
...and is noted to be one of the most powerful of all talismans in
Ancient Egypt.
The Udjat, once brilliant in color, adorned a fragment of finely woven linen.
This potent charm was used to protect its owner from sickness
and
to provide eternal life in the afterworld.
The linen fragment itself was
found placed within a translucent
alabaster carved vessel
and bound with
finely woven and intricately plaited
papyrus reed fibers.
The reeds were tied with delicate knots
were also found within the alabaster vessel.
They indicated that
Ptah, the Egyptian deity protecting ancient artisans,
had befriended Mar-Gara-Tiri
and became her Muse
showering her with good juju.
It is believed, by many Egyptologists, that vessels like these
were used for watercolor painting
and that the colors painted on the cloth
designated the color palette used by the artist-owner
of the vessel.
Such vessels and their magical contents were buried with female owners
to provide colorful serenity
throughout their journey in the afterlife.
It has been said that whoever gazes upon such an artifact as this will be
inspired in the ways of the ancient artistic ones.
They will be surrounded with a lifetime of
good karma...where Every Day Matters...,
and
that the art produced by each viewer
from that day forward
will have
magical and joyful properties.
"So let it be written...So let it be done."
~Rameses II (Yul Brenner)
The Ten Commandments-1956
Illustration Friday Challenge: Talisman