The people of ancient Egypt had a pronounced belief in the afterlife and in rebirth, and their religion was filled with symbolic ceremonies and portrayals. This volume takes a look at hundreds of symbols from widely differing areas of Egyptian high culture - gods and goddesses, plants and animals, historical personalities, sacred signs, gestures and actions are all explored. The meanings behind such well-known symbols as the mummy, pyramid and scarab are discussed, along with the significance of the use of various colours. The book examines the various deities in which the Egyptians believed, and their important rulers such as Cleopatra, Afhanaten and Tutenkhamen.