CHAP. XV. EMBLEMATIC OFFERINGS. 373 



No. 481 a. Emblematic offerings. 



in bags or rings (J a and^) ; three feathers or heads of 

 reeds, the emblem of a field (8) ; a scribe's tablet 

 and ink-stand (9 a and 6) ; a garland or wreath (10) ; 

 and an emblem of pyramidal form, perhaps the seal 

 or key of the sanctuary (11). 



Thanksgivings for the birth of a child, escape 

 from danger, or other marks of divine favour, were 

 offered by individuals through the medium of the 

 priests. The same was also done in private ; and 

 secret as well as public vows were made in the 

 hope of future favours.* The quality of these ob- 

 lations depended on the God to whom presented, 

 or the occupation of the donor; a shepherd bring- 

 ing from his flocks, a husbandman from his fields, 

 and others according to their means t ; provided 

 the offering was not forbidden by the rites of the 

 Deity. But though the Egyptians considered cer- 

 tain oblations suited to particular Gods $, others 



* Vide supra. Vol. I. (2d Series) p. 386; 



-j- Vide supra, p. 356. 



X Vide siqjrd, p. 338. 319. 334, 355. 358, &c. 



B B 3 



