Was Scepter

The Was (“power, dominion”) scepter is a symbol that appeared often in relics, art and hieroglyphics associated with the Ancient Egyptian religion. They appear as long, straight staffs, with a stylized animal head on top and a forked end.

Was scepters were used as symbols of power or dominion, and were associated with the gods (such as Set or Anubis) as well as with the pharaoh. Was scepters also represent the typhonic beast or Set-animal (the mascot of the Egyptian god Set). In later use, it was a symbol of control over the force of chaos that Set represented.

In a funerary context the was-sceptre was responsible for the well-being of the deceased, and was thus sometimes included in the tomb equipment or in the decoration of the tomb or coffin. The sceptre is also considered an amulet. The Egyptians perceived the sky as being supported on four pillars, which could have the shape of was-sceptres. The ‘was’-sceptre is also the symbol of the fourth Upper Egyptian nome, the nome of Thebes (called ‘Waset’ in Egyptian).

Was scepters were depicted as being carried by gods, pharaohs, and priests. They commonly occur in paintings, drawings, and carvings of gods, and often parallel with emblems such as the ankh-sign and the djed-pillar.

Remnants of real Was scepters have been found, constructed of faience or wood, where the head and forked tail of the Set-animal are visible, with the earliest examples dating back to the times of the first dynasty.

The Was is also the Egyptian hieroglyphic character that stands for a word meaning power.

Image Source | Source 

Associated LOST Characters

SET

ANUBIS










Ben’s Walking Stick


3×19 – “The Brig”  |  3×20 – “The Man Behind the Curtain“

   

Following Jack’s spinal surgery on Ben, he is seen using a walking stick resembling the Was Scepter while traversing the Island.

Images Source 

LOST Encyclopedia (Pg 242)

Comparison between the Was Scepter (Left) and Ben’s Walking Stick (Right) as seen in the LOST Encyclopedia. 

This walking stick used by Ben can be seen in greater detail on page 242 of the LOST Encyclopedia. The walking stick can be seen in the very middle of the double page spread.