Listen, O Isis, to the words of
the Knot Amulet: “I am offered
unto Isis for I am the Uniter of
Worlds. I am the Living Blood of
the Goddess poured out into the
universe."
"Offering to Isis"
the Knot Amulet: “I am offered
unto Isis for I am the Uniter of
Worlds. I am the Living Blood of
the Goddess poured out into the
universe."
"Offering to Isis"
May this knot tie me to You,
Goddess. By the life of my body,
by the depth of my soul, by the
breadth of my mind, by the fire
of my spirit, may it bind me to
You in love.
"Offering to Isis"
Goddess. By the life of my body,
by the depth of my soul, by the
breadth of my mind, by the fire
of my spirit, may it bind me to
You in love.
"Offering to Isis"
| THE KNOT OF ISIS TIET Symbol of Isis and Her Magic |
When an ancient Egyptian referred to “a knot amulet.” she or he usually
meant one specific type of knot amulet: the Tiet or Knot of Isis. The
standard form of the amulet was an open loop of material, tied with a sash
that hung down below the loop on two sides. The tiet looks similar to the
ankh, the hieroglyph for “life,” except that its crossbar is folded down. In
fact, the tiet may be related to the ankh, for the tiet sign is often
translated as “life” or “welfare.’
The origins of the amulet are unknown. As a knot, however, its symbolism
revolves around the idea of binding and releasing, the joining of opposites,
and, since a knot secures things, protection. Knot magic was well known in
Egypt from an early period; an inscription in one of the pyramids states,
“Isis and Nephthys work magic on Thee (Osiris) with knotted cords.” The
Book of Coming Forth by Day gives several examples of the magical power
of the knot. In this one, knots are tied around the deceased to help her
come into the presence of the Deities; “The four knots are tied about me
by the guardian of the sky . . .the knot was tied about me by Nut, when I
first saw Maat, when the gods and the sacred images had not yet been
born. I am heaven born, I am in the presence of the Great Gods.” In
addition to these four knots, there were seven knots, or tesut, that were
tied about the decreased to protect him or her.
The tiet appears in Egyptian iconography in the third dynasty. It was
frequently used in association with the djed pillar of Osiris, and so became
almost exclusively associated with Isis. Used together, the two symbols
could refer to the power of the Goddess and God to engender Life.
Because of this, the symbols may also be seen as sexual symbols --- the
pillar referring to the phallus of the god and the knot to the vulva and
womb of the Goddess.
Once born, the new or renewed life would have to be protected---an apt
job for the protective properties of the magical knot. In the Book of
Coming Forth by Day, the Knot of Isis not only helps protect, but also
raises up the deceased. The formula says, “The Knot of Isis amulet has
laid her hands on me,” and by doing so sets the deceased in the place of
rebirth, the eastern sky, where he says, “I have appeared in glory. I have
been initiated, I have been ennobled as a god.”
It may have been the combination of the tiet’s connection with life and its
association with Isis’ sexuality that led to it being called the Blood of Isis,
and so being made of red jasper, carnelian, or even red glass. It might
represent the red lifeblood a mother sheds while giving birth. On the
other hand, it might represent menstrual blood. Some say the amulet is
shaped like the cloth worn by women during menstruation. Others have
interpreted it as a ritual tampon that could be inserted into the vagina to
prevent miscarriage. In this case, it would have been the amulet Isis used
to protect Horus while he was still within Her womb. In addition to blood,
the amulet’s red color could represent fire and the Sun---and the living,
regenerative properties of Isis the Flame, the Radiant Solar Goddess and
Lady of Rebirth.
Goddesses other than Isis could be accompanied by the tiet as well. In
later periods, the tiet was associated with Isis’ sister, Nephthys, and Her
mother, Nuet, especially in situations having to do with resurrection and
rebirth. Earlier, it served as a badge of office in the cults of the Cow
Goddesses Bat and Hathor. Yet, the knot remains primarily associated
with Isis. There are many representations of Isis with knots (surely,
magical knots) tied into the straps of Her clothing. The tradition followed
the Goddess into the Graeco-Roman world, where the Knot of Isis was also
tied into the robes of Her priestesses. This potent symbol of the Goddess
is still worn by Her priestesses and priests today.
The power of the Knot of Isis, the tiet, is the power of Isis Herself:
generation and regeneration, protection, power, and magic. Thus do we
offer unto Isis that which is Hers.
"Offering to Isis" was originally published by Llewellyn Publications, 2005
(C) M. Isidora Forrest. Excerpt used with permission of the author
meant one specific type of knot amulet: the Tiet or Knot of Isis. The
standard form of the amulet was an open loop of material, tied with a sash
that hung down below the loop on two sides. The tiet looks similar to the
ankh, the hieroglyph for “life,” except that its crossbar is folded down. In
fact, the tiet may be related to the ankh, for the tiet sign is often
translated as “life” or “welfare.’
The origins of the amulet are unknown. As a knot, however, its symbolism
revolves around the idea of binding and releasing, the joining of opposites,
and, since a knot secures things, protection. Knot magic was well known in
Egypt from an early period; an inscription in one of the pyramids states,
“Isis and Nephthys work magic on Thee (Osiris) with knotted cords.” The
Book of Coming Forth by Day gives several examples of the magical power
of the knot. In this one, knots are tied around the deceased to help her
come into the presence of the Deities; “The four knots are tied about me
by the guardian of the sky . . .the knot was tied about me by Nut, when I
first saw Maat, when the gods and the sacred images had not yet been
born. I am heaven born, I am in the presence of the Great Gods.” In
addition to these four knots, there were seven knots, or tesut, that were
tied about the decreased to protect him or her.
The tiet appears in Egyptian iconography in the third dynasty. It was
frequently used in association with the djed pillar of Osiris, and so became
almost exclusively associated with Isis. Used together, the two symbols
could refer to the power of the Goddess and God to engender Life.
Because of this, the symbols may also be seen as sexual symbols --- the
pillar referring to the phallus of the god and the knot to the vulva and
womb of the Goddess.
Once born, the new or renewed life would have to be protected---an apt
job for the protective properties of the magical knot. In the Book of
Coming Forth by Day, the Knot of Isis not only helps protect, but also
raises up the deceased. The formula says, “The Knot of Isis amulet has
laid her hands on me,” and by doing so sets the deceased in the place of
rebirth, the eastern sky, where he says, “I have appeared in glory. I have
been initiated, I have been ennobled as a god.”
It may have been the combination of the tiet’s connection with life and its
association with Isis’ sexuality that led to it being called the Blood of Isis,
and so being made of red jasper, carnelian, or even red glass. It might
represent the red lifeblood a mother sheds while giving birth. On the
other hand, it might represent menstrual blood. Some say the amulet is
shaped like the cloth worn by women during menstruation. Others have
interpreted it as a ritual tampon that could be inserted into the vagina to
prevent miscarriage. In this case, it would have been the amulet Isis used
to protect Horus while he was still within Her womb. In addition to blood,
the amulet’s red color could represent fire and the Sun---and the living,
regenerative properties of Isis the Flame, the Radiant Solar Goddess and
Lady of Rebirth.
Goddesses other than Isis could be accompanied by the tiet as well. In
later periods, the tiet was associated with Isis’ sister, Nephthys, and Her
mother, Nuet, especially in situations having to do with resurrection and
rebirth. Earlier, it served as a badge of office in the cults of the Cow
Goddesses Bat and Hathor. Yet, the knot remains primarily associated
with Isis. There are many representations of Isis with knots (surely,
magical knots) tied into the straps of Her clothing. The tradition followed
the Goddess into the Graeco-Roman world, where the Knot of Isis was also
tied into the robes of Her priestesses. This potent symbol of the Goddess
is still worn by Her priestesses and priests today.
The power of the Knot of Isis, the tiet, is the power of Isis Herself:
generation and regeneration, protection, power, and magic. Thus do we
offer unto Isis that which is Hers.
"Offering to Isis" was originally published by Llewellyn Publications, 2005
(C) M. Isidora Forrest. Excerpt used with permission of the author
| THE KNOT OF ISIS "Offering to Isis" M. Isidora Forrest |
| This website is sponsored by The Circle of Pelagia Fellowship of Isis |