It may have been the combination of the tiet’s connection with life and its association with Isis’ sexuality that led to it being called the Blood of Isis and so being made of red jasper, carnelian, or even red glass. Because of this, the symbols may also be seen as sexual symbols the pillar referring to the phallus of the God and the knot to the vulva and womb of the Goddess. Used together, the two symbols could refer to the power of the Goddess and God to engender Life. It was frequently used in association with the djed pillar of Osiris and so became almost exclusively associated with Isis. The tiet first appears in Egyptian iconography in the third dynasty. The Knot of Isis is frequently paired with the Pillar of Osiris as in this modern amulet.
I am heaven born, I am in the presence of the Great Gods.” In addition to these four knots, there were seven knots, or tesut, that were tied about the deceased to protect him or her. In this one, knots are tied around the deceased to help her come into the presence of the Deities: “The four knots are tied about me by the guardian of the sky the knot was tied about me by Nut, when I first saw Maat, when the gods and the sacred images had not yet been born. Knot magic was well known in Egypt from an early period an inscription in one of the pyramids states, “Isis and Nephthys work magic on Thee with knotted cords.” In addition to the formula above, the Book of Coming Forth by Day gives several other examples of the magical power of the knot. As a knot, however, its symbolism revolves around the idea of binding and releasing, the joining of opposites, and, since a knot secures things, protection. In fact, the tiet may be related to the ankh, for the tiet sign is often translated as “life” or “welfare.” The tiet looks similar to the ankh, the hieroglyph for “life” except that its crossbar is folded down. The image to the right is the standard form of the amulet an open loop of material, tied with a sash that hangs down below the loop on two sides. If you happen to have a Knot of Isis of your own, speaking the formula over it from time to time will keep it magically alive and active. (Formula 156, Book of Coming Forth by Day) This is the classic Knot of Isis, or Tiet, amulet.
A true matter you shall not let anyone see it in your hand, for there is nothing equal to it. “You have your blood, O Isis you have your power, O Isis you have your magic, O Isis.” As for him for whom this is done, the power of Isis will be the protection of his body, and Horus son of Isis will rejoice over him when he sees him no path will be hidden from him, and one side of him will be towards the sky and the other towards the earth. There’s a famous passage from the Book of Coming Forth by Day, commonly called the Book of the Dead, that tells us the words to use to magically charge this important amulet: Thanks to Alexandra-Shakira for her question via Facebook, today’s post will be about that sister of the ankh, the Tiet, Tyet, Tet, also known as the Knot of Isis, the Girdle of Isis, the Buckle of Isis, or the Blood of Isis. I had intended to post during the week, but life got in the way and here it is Saturday again already. Sorry I missed last Saturday’s post…I was away doing magical things.