Amulets of Gods, Goddesses and Sacred Animals

The large number of amulets in the shape of deities, whether completely human, with animal head,s or in sacred animal manifestation, comprises the category called theomorphic from the Greek meaning 'in divine form'. However, in spite of the popular conception that there were 1,001 gods in the Egyptian pantheon, amulets were made in the likeness of only a small proportion. Of these some are instantly recognizable, others are inscribed with the name of the deity, but a disappointing number, usually animal-headed, are difficult to identify. The problem is that the Egyptians believed most of their gods were able to manifest themselves in animal form, but there were so many deities that there were not enough types of animal to suffice. Thus any one species might represent a number of different gods.