Egyptian scarabs are one of the oldest examples of engraved talismanic gems to be found in history.
The Egyptian sun god Ra was seen rolling the sun across the sky each day, disappearing at night only to revive again each morning. An echo of this phenomenon was seen in the behavior and life cycle of a scarab beetle, a microcosm of the rising and falling of the sun, life and death and life once again. The scarab became culturally significant to the ancient Egyptians as a symbol of renewal and regeneration.
While the scarab hieroglyph represents ideas of existence, manifestation, and growth, most Egyptians wore their scarab amulets to bring good luck and ward off evil spirits. Scarab amulets were commissioned to commemorate royal weddings and births, to honor family members, and were exchanged as gifts in ancient times—one in the Met reads, "May Ra grant you a happy new year.”
Later, as Egyptian culture came to permeate the Roman Empire, Roman legionnaires wore rings set with scarabs, believing they would grant courage and strength.