I have a small collection of Egypt related items picture above.  (I am aware that Shiva Lingham stones from India, and butterflies from North and South America don't exactly go with Egyptian culture, but that was where they wanted to be.)  I have been drawn to ancient Egypt since I was young. I have loved reading about the ancient civilization, seeing artifacts at museums, watching documentaries on ancient Egypt, reading about the mythology, and more.  I even have a hairless cat (Sphynx) that I named Bast, after the Egyptian cat Goddess.

Anyways, I have always been fascinated and drawn to the Egyptian culture and art.  Something about it makes me feel comfortable in a way I can't quite explain.  I love learning about different cultures, especially ancient cultures.  I think my favorite may be Egypt though.

Egyptians used gemstones as protective amulets, for luck, and as status symbols.  Both men and women would wear gemstone jewelry and amulets.  They believed the gemstones could protect them in life and death.  The Egyptians were buried wearing gemstone jewelry because they believed that it would protect them in the afterlife.  Some important gemstones to the Egyptians included Turquoise, Carnelian, Lapis Lazuli, Amethyst, Emerald, Malachite, Quartz, and Jasper.  

Flowers have been used in almost all cultures throughout time for a variety of purposes.  They have been use in religious and cultural ceremonies, as decoration, to heal ailments, as a sign of affection, and more.  Flowers can have a healing and peaceful affect on the psyche.  Each month is assigned flowers (a similar idea to a birthstone), and various flowers even have different meanings associated with them.