uraeus
A representation of the sacred asp, symbolising supreme power in ancient Egypt.
Noun
- A representation of the sacred asp, symbolising supreme power in ancient Egypt.
- In front is an inlaid cobra, the Royal uræus, and around the band are attached 15 rosettes, each composed of four flowers and four leaves of openwork inlaid. - 20 May 1914, The Times, col. A, page 7:
- even a fair amount of the gold His caravans returned from the Granite Mountains near the Red Sea, were now being fashioned by royal artisans into amulets, breast pieces, gold collars, bracelets, scarabs, uraei, even...
- In the small chamber opposite are Isis and Selket, and Nefertari's cartouche between two uraeuses. - 2004, Michael Haag, Egypt, page 305:
Origin
From Latin uraeus, from Ancient Greek οὐραῖος (ouraîos). This is traditionally assumed to be from Egyptian jꜥrt (“cobra in threat posture”), i-a:r:*t-I12, from jꜥr (“to rise, climb”); however, on phonetic grounds, Gundacker, following Fecht, argues for an origin in Egyptian wrrt (“White Crown, uraeus”, literally “the great one”) instead.