By Jacqueline Engel
Musical instruments in ancient Egypt ranged from the simple percussion ones to the complex harp, whose strings tend to now be lost.
In general, the sistrum was decorated with a head of Hathor or the body of a female.
Music was indeed closely associated to youth and enjoyment with many musicians being accompanied by dancers.
Flower bouquets represent the same youth and freshness associated with these activities, and the same connection to Hathor.
Clappers were also used, to mimic the sound of the simplest instrument, the hands clapping.
They also had the function of warding off bad demons with their noise.
The god Bes with its fierce demeanor did the same, especially during sleep and pregnancy.
He was the only god fronting the viewer in two-dimensional representations.
This allowed him to focus his attention to protecting.
Hurgada Museum
LA CIVILTA' EGIZIA 