Menat

Ancient Egyptian ritual necklace with counterweight

The menat is an ancient Egyptian ritual necklace closely associated with the worship of the goddess Hathor, consisting of multiple strands of beads and a distinctive metal counterweight at the back of the neck. Priests and priestesses shook the menat during temple rituals, producing a rattling sound believed to please Hathor and bring fertility and renewal. Wall paintings frequently depict Hathor offering the menat to the pharaoh as a symbol of divine protection and life force. Crafted from faience, semi-precious stones, and glass beads, menats have been found in numerous tombs including Tutankhamun's burial chamber.