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In Egypt and the East: Egyptian

The word "substance" 天 likewise contains the figure of the bee, while of the signs meaning 66 serpent" TEL one is the bee. also contains the bee, The sign for the arrow the reason for which would seem to be sufficiently obvious, even though it does occur in Egyptian hieroglyphics. Here, as in Hindu, and many other literatures, the bee is found associated with death as is shown by its presence in the symbol of the bier; while honey itself is expressed thus :

Maspero lets us into some of the secrets of Egyptian honey by telling us that, of the pigments used in picture- In Egypt and the East making, "the white is made of gypsum, mixed with albumen and honey," and also that the smallest of the perfume vases "were not intended for liquids, but for pomades, medicinal ointments, and salves made with honey," which, in conjunction with the perfumed pills that we learn were made in part of honey and "when chewed by women made the breath of their mouth sweet," gives us an insight into the manners of the Egyptian ladies somewhat at variance with the non-frivolous impression they create by their unsmiling visages cut in stone or painted on their tombs.

Piercing as best we can the dim vistas of the past into the ancient life of Egypt, we find the bee, so surrounded by the mysteries and the silences of that strange world that we are puzzled to know all that it stood for in the minds of the people.

It is not here the frank symbol of the sun and the moon so charmingly expressed by the ancient Hindus, and yet there are hints, dim and vague, of a similar meaning accorded to it.