ancient Egyptian birds in Shanghai Museum

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Observe Ancient Egyptian Birds in Shanghai Museum

The Nile River’s fertile plains created an environment teeming with avian life, making birds an integral part of the Egyptians’ spiritual and material world. In this document, I will walk you through some of the most important concepts of Ancient Egypt about birds, with picture I took in the exhibition On Top of the Pyramid: The Civilization of Ancient Egypt in Shanghai Museum.


Wall Paintings: Birds were featured prominently in wall paintings in tombs, representing scenes of daily life, hunting, and agriculture. These paintings not only depicted the birds themselves but also their natural habitats, providing insights into Egypt’s environment.


Ibis: One of the most sacred birds, associated with the god Thoth, the deity of wisdom and writing. The ibis was often mummified and offered in temples.


Horus: Horus was one of the most important deities, often represented as a falcon or as a man with a falcon’s head. He was the god of the sky, war, and kingship.


The Ba Bird: The ba was a part of the soul that could travel between life and death. It was often depicted as a bird with a human head and played a crucial role in funerary texts and art.


Birds played a significant role in Egyptian hieroglyphics (medu netjer), which the Egyptians considered sacred writing. Several bird species were represented in hieroglyphs, symbolizing various concepts.


Jewelry and Amulets: Birds, especially falcons and vultures, were common motifs in jewelry and amulets, symbolizing protection, power, and divine favor.

Exhibition Information

On Top of the Pyramid: The Civilization of Ancient Egypt
Date: 2024-07-19 ~ 2025-08-17
Location: Shanghai Museum on People’s Square, Exhibition Gallery (1st Floor)

These artifacts are selected from seven major Egyptian museums, including the Egyptian National Museum, Luxor Museum, Suez Museum, and the latest archaeological discoveries in the Saqqara area.

Additional Reading: Observe Ancient Egyptian Birds at Shanghai Museum (weibo.com)