Trap for scarabs in the desert. The scarab is a sacred symbol with a thousand-year history. Photo and description of the scarab beetle

Sacred space for the ancient Egyptian was not limited to the temple grounds and sacred groves. For him, every little detail of everyday life, all the surrounding nature could teach a lot of valuable lessons and appear in a halo of sacredness. Thanks to this worldview, a symbol appeared, which, along with the pyramids and the ankh, we associate with Egypt - the scarab. Egyptian mysticism endowed it with divinity and holiness, and myths made it popular and recognizable.

The origins of the scarab symbolism

To understand why the scarab is a sacred symbol, we must first say a few words about its nature. So, the scarab is the colors with a metallic tint that feeds on dung. But he does it so unusually that he is really able to impress. The fact is that at first the beetle collects manure and rolls out of it a geometrically ideal sphere. This ball rolls back into the hole where the scarab spends the next few days.

The photo just shows the process of transporting such a sphere. Such a ball often weighs more than the beetle itself. When the supply is eaten, the sacred scarab comes to the surface for a new portion of supplies. And that is not all. The same balls are used for reproduction: the sacred scarab beetle, hidden in a mink, transforms the ball into a kind of pear, in the narrow part of which it lays larvae. The latter, developing, feed on the inside of the ball, but do not eat through its walls. When the time comes, and this happens in the spring, a new beetle comes out of the ball.

In addition to everything else, the sacred scarab always rolls the sphere only from east to west and nothing else. And this insect always flies in the middle of the day.

Scarab and its connection with the sun

Of course, the Egyptians, who paid so much attention to solar deities, could not fail to see a certain similarity in all this. Just as the sun travels its daily path from east to west, and then disappears into darkness and reappears in the east, so the scarab rolls the sphere underground, then to return back for a new ball.

In addition, the sun, according to the Egyptians, is a sacred deity that brings life to everything, and after death - resurrection. Similarly, the cycle of development of a new insect inside the dung sphere and its birth were correlated with the death and resurrection of the sun.

Hence the connection of the scarab with one of the ancient deities of the Egyptian pantheon - Khepri. By itself, this god personifies the morning rising sun. In theological understanding, he is one of the three hypostases along with Ra, the god of the daylight, and Atum, who was in charge of solar affairs from dusk to dawn.

In hieroglyphic writing, Khepri was depicted as a man with the head of a scarab. His connection with this insect is deep and even reflected in the name itself, which literally means "Arising from itself." This clearly alludes to the scarab hatching from the dung-sphere in the spring.

Solar theology and scarab

Khepri in the mythology of Egypt was given a certain role in the creation of the world. The myth said that the entire visible universe came into being when the rising Khepri uttered his name. God shares this role of the creator of the Universe with all the solar deities of the Egyptian pantheon.

The legends about Khepri often associate him with Atum. It was believed that Atum, the god of the night sun, personifying secret divine knowledge, manifests his power through the morning rising sun - Khepri. Atum-Khepri is sometimes also identified with Amun - the hidden spirit of the sun, giving birth to Ra - the visible sun and daylight.

All this mythological load and symbolism was taken over by the scarab. Egypt and its mysteries endowed the latter with the properties of the deity associated with it. So, it was believed that Osiris is reborn in the form of a scarab and in this way emerges from the nostrils of his own head, which is buried in Abydos.

There were also sacred poetic texts that called the scarab a god that lives in the heart and guards the inner light. Hence, this symbol acted as a link between the human individual soul and God, proclaimed their unity.

The role of the sacred scarab in the life of the ancient Egyptians

The sacred scarab, this important religious symbol, accompanied the Egyptians throughout their lives. They were buried with the same talisman. The Egyptian religion proclaimed the immortality of the soul, which, after the death of the body, passed into another world, where it continued its journey. During the life of a person, the amulet in the form of a beetle was intended to bring good luck, prosperity, long life, protect the home, protect from troubles and demons, bring a rich harvest, and also help win the favor of God and his patronage.

Scarab and burial traditions

After death, the beetle figurine, as a symbol of resurrection in another world and the transformation of the soul, accompanied the soul and gave it a divine impulse to a new life. When an Egyptian of aristocratic origin died, whose body was supposed to be mummified, instead of a heart, an image of a scarab was put into the mummy. The latter was called to resurrect the deceased beyond the threshold of death. The Egyptians believed that the center and focus of human consciousness, and hence the habitat of the highest part of the soul, is located in the region of the heart. Therefore, the scarab located there represented the seed of new life, the germ of rebirth. This custom was not static and, as is typical of traditions, it changed in different eras. However, its semantic load did not change over time. For example, sometimes instead of the beetle figurine itself, a ceramic heart was made, and the scarab symbol with the names of deities was depicted on its surface.

The role of the scarab in the afterlife of the soul

There is another role played by the scarab embedded in the heart of the mummy. The photo above depicts the scene of the posthumous judgment of the human soul, as it was represented. Their myths describe this process through the image of weighing the heart of the deceased on the scales. In order to inherit the best part in another world, the heart of the deceased should not be heavier than the feather of the goddess Maat - the goddess of wisdom and justice. Such a heart can only be possessed by a pure, immaculate person, whose conscience is not weighed down by the atrocities and crimes of earthly life. Otherwise, the soul went to receive retribution. The scarab thus invoked God as the witness of the soul and the just judge of conscience and the human heart. Probably, he was also considered a symbol of hope for divine mercy and hope for indulgence for the deceased.

Scarab as a symbol of education

Among other things, the sacred scarab is also a symbol of learning and the student. A beetle that turns a viscous mass of manure into a perfect ball, which subsequently gives life to himself and his offspring, transforms a student who cultivates a good disposition and creates a perfect person, whose virtue, knowledge and wisdom will further equip his life and ensure the life of his descendants .

Conclusion

The scarab is deeply rooted in the cultural space of Ancient Egypt, has become an important and ubiquitous symbol. Images of the scarab are found throughout Egypt in a variety of versions. It was made from stones, clay, metal, ceramics, but products carved from a solar stone - heliotrope were especially valued. Such amulets were attributed special magical power and strength.

Finished figurines were covered with glaze and painted with paints. The scarab served as a cult item and decorative element on utensils and jewelry. Hieroglyphs, names of gods and sacred symbols were drawn and engraved on scarabs. Its significance was so great that until now, thousands of years after the extinction of ancient Egyptian culture, the scarab remains a recognizable and popular symbol of Egypt.

Squad: Coleoptera Family: lamellar Subfamily: Scarabs Genus: scarabs Latin name Scarabaeus Linnaeus,

Description The beetles are 9.5-41 mm long. The body is large, broadly oval or parallel-sided, slightly convex above and below, the underside and legs are covered with long dark hairs; the color of our species is black. The head is transverse, digging, the clypeus is armed with 4 strong teeth in front, the genae are rounded-triangular with anterior margin elongated into a tooth; thus the head has 6 teeth in front. Pronotum simple, strongly transverse, usually finely serrate laterally and at base. Elytra 1.5–2 times as long as pronotum, their base not carinated, dorsal surface with 6 striae, striae 7 and 8 replaced by closely spaced lateral carinae. The pygidium is bordered on the base. Fore tibia digging, with 4 strong outer teeth and distal half; basal part of outer margin finely serrate to base and with long hairs. The middle and hind tibiae are thin and long, more or less saber-shaped, their apical spurs separated by a distinct suture. The middle and hind tarsi are thin, dorsoventrally flattened, with two claws, sometimes very small. Sexual dimorphism is poorly developed. area Currently, 100 species of the genus are known, mainly from the Afrotropical region; in the Indo-Malay region, 4 species are known; they are absent in the Western Hemisphere and Australia. 20 species are known from the Palearctic. In the fauna of the former USSR - 8 species from two subgenera. Biology Representatives of the genus are typical inhabitants of arid landscapes with hot and dry summers. The beetles appear in spring and while the nights are cold, they are active during the hot part of the day. In summer, most species switch to a nocturnal lifestyle, when intensive flight to light sources begins. Beetles, flocking to heaps of manure, make balls of different sizes from it, sometimes much larger than the size of the beetle itself. These balls roll to a distance of tens of meters and, in suitable places, are buried in the ground, where they are eaten by one or two beetles. When rolling balls, beetles are guided by light sources. Often, due to the possession of a ready-made ball, fights arise between the beetles. In the process of rolling balls together, “married” couples are formed, starting to work together and prepare food for offspring. For this purpose, males and females dig minks, ending at a depth of 10-30 cm with a nesting chamber. Mating takes place in them, after which the male usually leaves the nest, and the female starts making one or two or three (depending on the species) pear-shaped dung ovoids. A round “cradle” is placed in their narrow part and an egg is laid, after which the entrance to the mink is filled up. The egg stage lasts 5-12 days, larvae 30-35 days, pupae - about two weeks. Fertilized females are able to dig more than a dozen mink nests during the active period. The beetles, after turning from pupae, remain inside the ovoids, transformed into a “false cocoon” for a long time, until autumn or spring rains soften them, and sometimes hibernate in them. The most famous types Scarabaeus (Ateuchetus) armeniacus Menetries, 1832. Scarabaeus (Ateuchetus) cicatricosus(Lucas, 1846). Scarabaeus (Ateuchetus) laticollis Linnaeus, 1767. Scarabaeus (Ateuchetus) puncticollis(Latreille, 1819). Scarabaeus (Ateuchetus) semipunctatus Fabricius, 1792. Scarabaeus (Ateuchetus) variolosus Fabricius, 1787. Scarabaeus (Scarabaeus) babori Balthasar, 1934. Scarabaeus (Scarabaeus) bannuensis Janssens, 1940. Scarabaeus (Scarabaeus) carinatus(Gebler, 1841). Scarabaeus (Scarabaeus) pius(Illiger, 1803). Scarabaeus (Scarabaeus) sacer Linnaeus, 1758. - Scarabaeus (Scarabaeus) typhon(Fischer, 1824). Scarabaeus (Scarabaeus) winkleri Stolfa, 1938. Write a review on the article "Scarabs" Notes An excerpt characterizing Scarabs So calmly in everyday worries the days passed, and then the weeks. Grandmother, by that time, had already returned from the hospital and, to her great surprise, found a newly-baked daughter-in-law at home ... And since it was too late to change anything, they simply tried to get to know each other better, avoiding unwanted conflicts (which inevitably appear with any new, too close acquaintance). More precisely, they simply “got used to each other”, trying to honestly bypass any possible “underwater reefs” ... I was always sincerely sorry that my mother and grandmother never fell in love with each other ... They both were (or rather, mother still are) beautiful people, and I loved them both very much. But if grandmother, all her life spent together, somehow tried to adapt to her mother, then mother, on the contrary, at the end of her grandmother’s life, sometimes showed her irritation too openly, which deeply hurt me, since I was very attached to both of them and very she did not like to fall, as they say, "between two fires" or forcefully take sides. I have never been able to figure out what caused this constant "silent" war between these two wonderful women, but apparently there were some very good reasons for this, or perhaps my poor mother and grandmother were just really "incompatible" , as happens quite often with strangers living together. One way or another, it was a pity, because, in general, it was a very friendly and faithful family, in which everyone stood up for each other like a mountain, and experienced every trouble or misfortune together. But let's go back to the days when all this was just beginning, and when each member of this new family honestly tried to "live in harmony", without creating any trouble for the others ... Grandfather was also at home, but his health, to the great regret of everyone else , after the days spent in detention, deteriorated sharply. Apparently, including the hard days spent in Siberia, all the long ordeals of the Seryogins in unfamiliar cities did not spare the poor grandfather's heart, tormented by life - he began to have repeated microinfarcts ... Mom made friends with him and tried her best to help him forget everything bad as soon as possible, although she herself had a very, very difficult time. Over the past months, she managed to pass the preparatory and entrance exams for medical school. But, to her great regret, her old dream was not destined to come true for the simple reason that at that time in Lithuania you still had to pay for the institute, and my mother's family (which had nine children) did not have enough finances for this .. In the same year, from a severe nervous shock that happened a few years ago, her still very young mother died - my grandmother from my mother's side, whom I also never saw. She fell ill during the war, on the day when she learned that there was a heavy bombardment in the pioneer camp, in the seaside town of Palanga, and all the children who survived were taken away to no one knows where ... And among these children was her son , the youngest and favorite of all nine children. A few years later he returned, but this, unfortunately, could not help my grandmother. And in the first year of my mother's and father's life together, it slowly faded away... My mother's father, my grandfather, had a large family in his arms, of which only one mother's sister, Domitela, was married at that time. And grandfather as a "businessman", unfortunately, was absolutely disastrous... And very soon the wool factory, which he, with his grandmother's "light hand", owned, was put on sale for debts, and his grandmother's parents did not want to help him anymore, so as it was already the third time when the grandfather completely lost everything, the property donated by them. My grandmother (my mother's mother) came from a very wealthy Lithuanian noble family, the Mitrulyavichus, who, even after the "dispossession", had a lot of land left. So when my grandmother (against my parents' wishes) married a grandfather who had nothing, her parents (not to lose face) gave them a big farm and a beautiful, spacious house... which, after a while , grandfather, thanks to his great "commercial" abilities, lost. But since at that time they already had five children, naturally, the grandmother's parents could not stand aside and gave them a second farm, but with a smaller and not so beautiful house. And again, to the great regret of the whole family, very soon the second “gift” also disappeared ... The next and last help of my grandmother's patient parents was a small woolen factory, which was superbly equipped and, if used correctly, could bring a very good income. , allowing the entire grandmother's family to live comfortably. But grandfather, after all the troubles experienced in life, by this time was already indulging in "strong" drinks, so the almost complete ruin of the family did not have to wait too long ...

The history of Egypt is full of secrets and mysteries. Grandiose pyramids and mummies of pharaohs, sacred animals and a scarab, as one of the symbols of the former greatness of the ancient civilization. The Egyptians endowed it with divinity, and numerous myths and legends, along with the pyramids, made it the emblem of tourist Egypt. To understand why this little bug has earned worldwide fame, let's learn more about it.

Who is the sacred scarab?

The sacred scarab - namely, our hero belongs to this species, is a black matte insect with an almost round smooth body 25-35 cm long. Old individuals become shiny over time. On the head of the beetle there is a frontal protrusion and eyes, divided into upper and lower parts. Each leg has spurs. Their gender differences are weakly expressed. The lower part of the body is pubescent with dark brown hairs. In the photo of the scarab beetle, taken in the "macro" mode, these features are well visible.

These beetles are found on the coasts of the Mediterranean and Black Seas, in Southern and Eastern Europe, on the Arabian Peninsula, in the Crimea, Turkey and, of course, in Egypt.

Scarabs are dung beetles that feed on the dung of cattle, horses, and sheep.

The main feature of beetles is the way they feed. They roll a perfectly even sphere from a shapeless mass of excrement and bury it in the ground, where they then use it as food.

Scarabs live for about two years. They spend most of their lives underground, coming to the surface at night. They hibernate by burrowing to a depth of 2 meters. Emergence of beetles begins in March and lasts until mid-July.

Pairs are formed in the process of harvesting dung balls, and further work takes place together. A pair of scarabs digs a hole 15-30 cm deep, which ends in a chamber. After mating, the male leaves, and the female begins to roll special pear-shaped balls and lays eggs in them. At the end, the mink falls asleep.

After 1-2 weeks, beetle larvae hatch. For a month, they eat food that their parents have prepared for them, and then they are reborn into pupae. In unfavorable weather, the pupae remain in the mink for the winter. In spring, young beetles leave their burrows and come to the surface.

Scientists believe that dung beetles in hot tropical climates play a critical role in processing the vast amounts of manure produced by wild and domestic herbivores. Only elephants, common in Africa, consume about 250 kg of food per day, and return a little less to nature in the form of dung heaps.

Some time ago, through the efforts of imported scarab beetles in Australia and South America, a myriad of manure was processed, which local insects could no longer cope with. The scarabs did not take root in the new place, but they performed their task perfectly.

Where do scarab myths originate?

Watching the scarabs, the Egyptians noticed an interesting feature - the beetles always roll their balls from east to west, and fly only at noon. Attentive Egyptians saw in this the connection of beetles with the sun. The luminary passes its way from east to west and hides behind the horizon, so that tomorrow it will again appear in the east.

According to the ideas of the ancient Egyptians, the sun was a deity that brings life to all living things and resurrection after death. The Egyptians correlated the cycle of development of scarabs inside a dung ball and its emergence to the surface with the movement of the sun. The similarity struck the ancient people so much that the god Khepri, who personified the rising sun, began to be depicted with a scarab instead of a head.

In Luxor there is a statue of the sacred scarab, this place is especially revered by tourists and locals.

The role of the scarab in the life of ancient Egypt

The Egyptians had poetic religious texts that called the scarab a god that lives in the heart and guards the inner light of man. Therefore, the symbol of the beetle gradually became a link between the divine principle and the human soul, uniting them.

The symbol of the sacred scarab accompanied the ancient Egyptians all their lives and, according to their beliefs, passed with them to the afterlife. If the body was mummified after death, then an image of a sacred beetle was inserted instead of a heart. Without it, the resurrection of the soul in the afterlife could not take place. Even at the primitive level of medicine, the ancients understood the importance of the heart in the human body and, placing the image of the sacred beetle instead, believed that it represented the primary impulse for the rebirth of the soul. Somewhat later, instead of a figurine of a scarab beetle, the Egyptians made a heart of ceramics, and the names of the deities were depicted on it next to the symbol of the sacred beetle.

What do scarab amulets mean in our time

At all times, people believed in the miraculous power of various amulets that bring good luck, wealth, happiness. Egyptian talismans among them, due to their ancient origin, are considered the most powerful.

The scarab beetle talisman is one of the most revered, and it is this one that is offered to tourists as a souvenir. Initially, amulets were made from stones, both precious and ornamental. Green granite, marble, basalt or ceramics were used, which, after drying, were covered with green or blue azure. Now tourists are offered amulets made of metal, decorated with stones.

Before buying a talisman with the image of a scarab beetle, you should find out its meaning. The bag helps its owner gain self-confidence, achieve desires and achieve their goals. First of all, it concerns work and creative activity. Since the scarab is a symbol of life, it is believed that it preserves youth and brings beauty to women. With its help, the strong half of humanity should gain a stable income and a high position in society. Students take the talisman with them to exams, and in the home, the symbol of the sacred beetle can provide protection from thieves, fires, and other troubles.

It is believed that donated amulets have greater power, but the treatment of the amulet must be respectful and careful. A careless attitude to magical objects and to a foreign culture and mythology can be dangerous for a person.

Sacred scarab September 30th, 2013

Perhaps the most famous of the scarabs is the sacred scarab (Scarabaeus sacer), a beetle deified by the ancient Egyptians. In the balls rolled by the beetles, they saw the image of the sun with its daily movement across the sky, and in the teeth on the head and paws of the beetle they saw the likeness of the sun's rays. The images of the sacred scarab were decorated with tombs, it was painted on papyri, imprinted in stone. The beetle was honored and considered a symbol of happiness.

In the Karnak temple complex near the city of Luxor (the territory of ancient Thebes), a column has been preserved, which is crowned with a stone scarab. According to legend, the one who goes around the column seven times and touches the beetle can make a wish - it will come true. And an endless round dance of tourists who came to look at the Karnak temples goes around the beetle. Whether their wishes come true is unknown, but the owners of numerous nearby shops have something to thank the sacred scarab for.

Ancient legends also served science well - to a certain extent, because of them, the famous entomologist of the last century, Jean-Henri Fabre, became interested in the scarab and revealed many of its secrets. Thanks to the observations of this scientist, we learned many interesting facts from the life of the relatives of the sacred beetle - the Spanish copra, Isis copra, moon copra and some others. It was Fabre who discovered that most of the balls rolled by scarabs are their food reserves. Beetles, both males and females, not only make balls themselves, but also steal and take them away from each other. Having acquired the ball in one way or another, the beetle tries to roll it away, bury it in the ground and there, in comfort and tranquility, indulge in a meal. The scarab is very voracious, and soon he has to get to the surface for new prey.

When the time comes to lay eggs, the females of the sacred scarab make special balls, usually from the more delicate - sheep - dung, and singly (beetles of a number of other species perform their parental duties together) bury them in the ground. Then an egg is laid in the ball, and this is where the female's care for the offspring ends. When the food supply runs out, the larva in the ball pupates, and after about a month, an adult beetle emerges from the pupa.

Much more interesting are the family relationships of many other types of scarabs. For example, in the Spanish copra, the moon copra (C. lunaris), the males of which wear a slightly curved horn on their heads, and some other copra, or kaloedov, male and female work side by side, digging a fairly large gallery under a suitable dung heap, ending with an expanding camera. The beetles drag a large amount of manure there and form a special “pie” of elongated or spherical shape from it. In such a “pie”, specific anaerobic fermentation processes take place, as a result of which the future food for the larvae becomes more homogeneous and easily digestible.

And only when the “pie” is ready, the female begins to mold nutritious balls out of it for future offspring. And then she continues to take care of the larvae - if the ball begins to crack and threatens to dry out, the female closes up the cracks, if mold appears on it, she cleans it off. And so it goes until the young beetles come out of their cradles or until the mother dies. The latter happens more often - most scarabs breed once in a lifetime and do not live to see offspring from pupae.

The parental cares of the Australian scarabs of the genus Cephalodesmius are also complex and surprising. Adult beetles appear on the surface at the end of summer and immediately dig fodder minks for themselves, into which they pull food supplies. In autumn, the male and female meet. And although the breeding season is still far away, they no longer part, but start a common mink, where they store food for the winter. The breeding season is in the spring. Now both parents are constantly scurrying back and forth, dragging into the hole a huge amount of a wide variety of food - unlike most scarabs, representatives of this genus feed mainly on plant material.

Among their stocks one can find rotten leaves, and small flowers, and small fruits, and seeds, and animal droppings. As reserves accumulate, foraging becomes mainly the concern of the male, and the female begins to “process” the delivered provisions. She adds her own droppings and the droppings of the male to the total mass and begins to form balls from all this, in which a specific fermentation process takes place. When the nutrient mass “ripens”, the female makes peculiar cups out of it, lays eggs in them and closes them with lids - so that again, balls are obtained as a result.

Since that time, the female cephalodesmis never leaves the nest - all her strength goes to caring for her future children. As soon as the larva hatches in the cradle and begins to feed on the contents of its ball, the mother's worries increase. She adds new portions of food to the ball, which the male continues to supply her with.

While the larva is small, the mother adds only the fermented mass to her ball, but then she switches to not completely “ripened” and even fresh food, just brought by the male. The developing larva at this time begins to make sounds in its ball, which arise due to the friction of small tubercles on the inner surface of the last abdominal segment and special scallops on the head. The function of these sound signals is unknown, but scientists suggest that in this way the larva can inform the mother about its condition and the need for food. Adult cephalodesmis do not make any sounds.

When the development of the larva is completed and it is ready for pupation, the mother plasters the surface of the ball with a special mixture of her droppings, male droppings and larvae (the latter is released from the ball through the walls). After the mixture dries, the ball becomes especially durable and strong. Having “sealed” one cradle, the female continues to look after the others, but by the time the young beetles should be born, the parents are already dying.

However, Australian dung beetles are not only amazing family relationships. For example, in Australia there is the only representative of the subfamily that is not able to fly. This beetle was discovered quite by accident, and not in nature, but in museum collections. In 1972, Australian researcher Eric Matthews, who worked at the Paris Museum, drew attention to an unusual specimen with the label "Queensland, from the collection of Henry Bates."

How did the Australian beetle get to one of the greatest naturalists of the last century, who worked mainly in the Amazon, but had never been to Australia? It turned out that Bates bought this copy from the collector Francis du Boulay, who actually visited Queensland, in an area located about 150 km from where wingless beetles are now found.

Their winglessness was also discovered by accident - when an incomprehensible specimen from the old collection was softened and raised by the convex elytra of the beetle. More precisely, he has wings, but they are small, unable to ensure the flight of a heavy insect.

The newly discovered beetle received the Latin name Onthophagus apterus, which reflected its "winglessness". However, a copy from the Bates collection continued to be the only known scientist.

Live beetles were found only 24 years later - in 1996, when several insects of this species fell into entomological traps set by scientists in western Queensland. It turned out that wingless dung beetles live in small mountains, in wallaby resting places, and feed on the droppings of these marsupials. Later, another colony was discovered in another area, also in wallaby resting areas.

Such a commitment of beetles to one place, abundant in food for many centuries, may, according to scientists, explain their inability to fly. However, this is only an assumption - after all, in this case, the dung beetle population is very vulnerable. As soon as changes occur in the landscape, wallabies change their place of rest - and then the beetles will disappear ...

It is interesting that although about 400 species of dung beetles are found in Australia, they are all quite specialized and adapted to the peculiar conditions of the “fifth continent”. And when, following the European settlers, herds of sheep and cows appeared here, it turned out that there was no one to process their droppings! In the 60s. of our century, the problem assumed alarming proportions - huge areas were covered with drying and dried manure.

As a result, it was necessary to bring and acclimatize African dung beetles here, which have adapted perfectly to cope with the rich "harvest" left by herds of ungulates. After numerous experiments, representatives of the species Onthophagus gazella were appointed to the position of "vacuum cleaners", which, by the way, have already been used in this position in Texas and California. These beetles are very industrious and treat each other calmly - from 10 to 50 pairs can simultaneously "work" on one dung cake without entering into conflicts.

This species is probably the most productive among the dung beetles. The larva in the ball develops within 2.5 weeks, and the pupa - 2 weeks. Puberty occurs in beetles as early as 4–5 days after leaving the nesting burrow. Each female molds from 10 to 12 balls and lays a testicle there, and the male helps her to create food supplies for future children ....

The dung beetles include three subfamilies of beetles of the lamellar mustache family (Scarabaeidae)1; aphodia (Afodiinae, about 2500 species); real dung beetles, or geocorpses, (Geotrupinae, about 900 species), and scarabs (Scarabaeinae, about 4500 species).

Ecologically, all three subfamilies are very similar - their representatives process the organic matter of the litter and transfer it to the soil, where further decomposition is carried out by various microorganisms.

Dung beetles, and scarabs in particular, are excellent fliers. Usually they get to the source of food by air, and where to fly - they are prompted by a well-developed sense of smell.

Although scarabs, as already mentioned, do not like dryness and therefore usually avoid deserts, among them there are a number of species that have nevertheless adapted to live in regions with an arid climate. To survive, they developed peculiar forms of behavior. For example, in the dry steppes and deserts of Turkmenistan, a very large (up to 5 cm) dung beetle (Synapsis tmolus) and a smaller (up to 3 cm) Spanish copra (Copris hispanus) retain feed moisture, first quickly burying their food right on the spot, and then transferring it to deeper holes in which the air remains moist.

The Australian beetle Coproecus hemiphaericus buries dry excrement very deep, near aquifers, and there it dampens and softens to the desired condition. Many species of scarabs that live in the deserts of North America and in mountainous deserts often do not leave rodent burrows at all, where they have both food and a favorable microclimate.

And some Australian dung beetles, feeding on the droppings of marsupials, act differently. There is not much moisture in the excrement of desert mammals, and when they fall on dry soil, they instantly turn into hard pebbles. In order to prevent the food from drying out, the beetles grab onto the fur near the anus of the animal with their tenacious paws and travel in this way, waiting for the desired prey. They then jump off and quickly drag their trophy underground.

Particularly interesting is the fact that in nature, the scarab is an African sewer. Herds of elephants living on the plains of Africa, eating 250 kg of food a day, most of it is returned back to the earth, in the form of large dung heaps. Perhaps Africa would be mired in a huge layer of manure if it were not saved every day by thousands of beetles - scarabs living there. They contribute to the disposal of manure.

The Egyptian scarab beetle is often found in feature films about the tombs of the pharaohs. As a rule, these insects do not cause positive emotions, and sometimes even inspire fear, as in the movie "The Mummy", where the beetles brought death to those who dared to disturb the peace of the tomb.

Can an amulet in the form of a sacred insect be useful and what is the meaning of the scarab beetle symbol from the time of Ancient Egypt, let's try to figure it out.

Ancient Egyptian mythology contains many interesting legends about the image of the scarab beetle, here are some of them:

1. The ancient Egyptians associated the image of the scarab beetle with the movement of the sun across the sky. Most likely, this is due to his way of rolling a dung ball - in many images that have survived to this day, the sacred scarab similarly rolled the Sun across the sky. The people also believed that all animals originated from the sacred waters of the Nile River, while the scarab beetle came from the golden sandy deserts. Therefore, the insect was compared with the god of sunrise Khepri. Since then, the first amulets began to appear, depicting Khepri with the head of a scarab beetle. They were made of stones, and then covered with green or gold paint.
2. The most common myth about Egyptian scarabs is that they are the guardians of souls after death until the dead are transported to the realm of the dead. Therefore, in the ancient tombs there are a lot of figurines and images of the scarab - the Egyptians called on them to protect the dead.

The Egyptians inserted a scarab figurine into the body of the deceased. Even in those ancient times, people understood that a person's life depends on the heart. Therefore, when preparing the body for burial, the heart was removed, and a figurine of the guardian of the soul was placed instead - it was believed that without it a person would not be resurrected in the afterlife.

The people of ancient Egypt sincerely believed–beyond death, life is no worse. Therefore, the beetle was a talisman for them, helping to move towards a new, better life.

Since the time of Ancient Egypt, many different objects have been found that are not entirely clear in their meaning to modern science. One of the groups of these treasures is mysterious and talismans. Among them, in addition to the well-known and, quite often there are objects with the image of the guardian beetle of the soul:

• pendants;
• seals;
• brooches;
• pendants;
• figurines;
• statues;
• drawings on frescoes and edged weapons;
• images of people with a scarab pattern on their skin.

The scarab beetle can often be found in ancient Egyptian frescoes.

In our age, you can find a variety of interior items with a sacred insect applied to them. Most often these are paintings, watches, small figurines, caskets and dishes. Scarab-shaped pendants and brooches are also common. Occasionally you can see a watch decorated with his image, or a keychain in the form of a soul keeper.

The meaning of the amulet beetle scarab

To this day, the scarab beetle is used as an amulet that protects the human soul from grief, problems, helping to overcome difficulties on the way to life's goal. Only one who knows the true meaning of this Egyptian symbol and believes in the power of solar energy can use the amulet.

As in ancient times, today the image of an insect is applied to jewelry and household items, small figures in the form of a beetle are made. As a rule, stones of various colors are inserted into jewelry. Since the beetle symbolizes the path from the past to a better future, it is recommended to purchase items with turquoise. This shade is considered the color of rebirth and the transition from a past life to a new one.

In Luxor there is a statue of a scarab beetle, very popular among tourists.

Many psychics and magicians, believing in the power of the sacred Egyptian insect, put its image on their ritual objects. Amulet with a scarab beetle today is often found in the form of a pendant or ring.

People who understand the meaning of a scarab tattoo sometimes use its image, combining it with ancient hieroglyphs. By the way, in men, a tattoo in the form of an Egyptian beetle takes on the meaning of wisdom and the victory of light over darkness. For women, the sign helps to preserve beauty, youth and women's health.

When to get a talisman

The talisman, depending on the application, acts differently on its owner. Experts identify several areas of influence:

1. In the absence of family happiness, problems in communicating with children or with a loved one, it is necessary to place an item of interior decor in the form of an Egyptian beetle approximately in the center of your home - the amulet will reflect the evil energy of strangers and strengthen love feelings.
2. If there are problems at work (with colleagues or career development) - a small figurine or wall decoration in the office will help reflect negative energy, bring good luck and give a sense of self-confidence.
3. Jewelry will only help its owner, his relatives will not be influenced. This version of the amulet is relevant for health problems or the presence of ill-wishers in the immediate environment. The symbol will attract solar energy to heal its owner and protect from enemies.
4. It will also be useful for people in the military, security and rescue professions to wear a beetle as a warrior's amulet. A sacred insect will repel a threat to life and health.
5. Such a talisman will help students to attract good luck in their studies and strengthen the desire for knowledge.

The talisman Scarab beetle has many meanings, and it can act in different ways.

After acquiring a personal talisman, it is recommended to use it so that outsiders do not see the amulet - for example, hide the pendant behind the collar of clothes. If you tell about its existence and show it to strangers, the magical power directed at the owner can change direction, and the result achieved will be lost.

As soon as you have the amulet, activate it: press it to your chest with both hands and mentally ask the scarab beetle for help. The amulet, providing strong protection, accumulates in itself all the negativity that comes from the outside. Therefore, periodically, about once a week, it needs to be cleaned: hold it under running water for several minutes to get rid of negative energy, and then put it under bright sunlight for several hours to accumulate positive power. It is desirable that no one was at home at the time of purification and recharging of the amulet.

Which amulet to choose

Experts in mythology and esotericism say that no amulet can be acquired just like that. In order for the amulet to really work, it must be individually selected. To do this, they recommend relying on some rules:

1. The amulet protects the place in which it is constantly located. If jewelry is purchased, it will protect the person personally, his health and energy background. It can be a pendant, pendant or necklace. It should be hung close to the heart. For men, a beetle ring is better suited.
2. Before acquiring, you need to decide which life sphere most of all requires the help of a sacred insect.
3. When purchasing a talisman, initially think about the purpose of its acquisition. Thus, he will immediately begin to tune in to the required energy wave.
4. There should not be any inscriptions on the amulet - they make its strength weaker. Moreover, sometimes the words are written in an unfamiliar language. The acquisition of an amulet, for example, with the inscription “to attract money”, when it is actually necessary “for health”, distorts its effect.

In Orthodox Christianity, there is a ban on wearing any talismans at the same time as an amulet or a cross. Therefore, believers in Christ are not recommended to turn to the symbols of another religion for help and protection.

Talisman as a gift

The sacred scarab is well suited for the role of a gift to relatives and friends. Most often, figurines or paintings depicting a beetle are chosen. Female relatives can choose jewelry, and male relatives can choose a ring with a carved scarab. When choosing a gift, mentally you need to be tuned only to the good. When presenting a present, you need to tell the new owner about the meaning of this sign and the rules for its use.

A talisman obtained in this way can serve no worse than one acquired independently. Of course, in this case, the donor must choose the amulet, knowing in advance by whom and for what it will be used.

It is impossible to accept a gift in the form of an Egyptian talisman from strangers or unfamiliar people - it is not known with what thoughts a person gives it.