Fact 1 on the Bes: | The Bes was worn as a protective talisman by both the living and the deceased. |
Fact 2 on the Bes: | Meaning: To the ancient Egyptians the amulet symbolized the dwarf guardian god of Egypt and a protector god of childbirth. He was the adversary of evil and believed to guard against evil spirits and misfortune. |
Fact 3 on the Bes: | The ugly appearance of the dwarf god was believed by the ancient Egyptians to act as a frightening deterrent to enemies of Egypt and all evil spirits. |
Fact 4 on the Bes: | Although the god was depicted as a frightening and grotesque figure he was in fact a benign, friendly, god to the ancient Egyptians. |
Fact 5 on the Bes: | He was worshipped as a household god who protected the home and the family. As a protector god he was believed to protect the home against all intruders including snakes and scorpions. |
Fact 6 on the Bes: | The dwarf god also symbolized the good things in life, music, dance, laughter, merry-making and good luck. |
Fact 7 on the Bes: | The amulet was particularly popular with pregnant women. The ancient Egyptians believed that he possessed magical powers to scare away demons that might harm a newborn child. |
Fact 8 on the Bes: | He was also regarded as the god who renewed youth and was a patron of beauty. |
Fact 9 on the Bes: | Many shrines dedicated to the god were found at the village of the tomb workers in Deir el-Medina. |
Fact 10 on the Bes: | Images of Bes were also used as a decorative element on the foot-board of beds or on the head-rests that were used as pillows, suggesting sexual symbolism. |
Fact 11 on the Bes: | This amulet is believed to be the originator of the modern American Billiken, a good luck charm doll. To buy a Billiken was said to give the purchaser luck, but to receive a Billiken would bring even better luck. |