What insect was used in ancient Egypt as a symbol of resurrection?

The insect used in ancient Egypt as a symbol of resurrection was the scarab beetle. Egyptians associated the beetle with Khepri, the morning manifestation of the sun god Ra and a deity of becoming, renewal, and rebirth.

The connection came partly from the beetle’s behavior. Dung beetles roll balls across the ground, which Egyptians compared with the sun’s daily journey across the sky. They also saw young beetles emerge from buried dung balls and, without understanding the full life cycle, interpreted this as a form of self-creation.

Scarab imagery became widespread in Egyptian religion and funerary art. Small scarabs were made from stone, faience, ivory, and precious materials, often as seals or amulets. Heart scarabs were placed on mummies to help protect the deceased during judgment in the afterlife.

The sacred scarab is especially associated with Scarabaeus sacer, although “scarab” can refer more broadly to many beetles in the scarab family. The symbol represents transformation and renewal as well as resurrection.