For thousands of years, perfume has been valued as a luxury good, and ancient Egypt was no exception. Uses for perfumes were numerous. Perfume was once considered a luxury good for the gods due to its scarcity; in order to gain the gods' favor, fragrant powders were burned. Later, perfume entered the mainstream and was used by both sexes for its holy virtues, which included its healing benefits, body-purifying properties, and enticing qualities.

Just like people today, jewelry was a popular way for ancient Egyptians to decorate their bodies. An accessory is a simple addition to make your overall look pop more, and since most Egyptian attire was lightweight and simple due to the hot, dry climate, jewelry served as both a means of protection from evil spirits and a display of riches and rank for the ancient Egyptians. There were several functions for jewelry in ancient Egypt. Apart from the human predilection for attractive things, jewelry held religious and magical importance in ancient Egypt since it offered protection against evil – sounds familiar?

As popular as makeup and cosmetics are today, it’s not a new phenomenon. Ancient Egyptians had great taste in clothing and cosmetics. They used to apply makeup in the most elegant ways you could imagine, and they had an incredible selection of cosmetics. For Egyptians, particularly in antiquity, one's appearance and clothes were very important. Everything, from makeup to attire, had to be as exquisite and lovely as possible. Everything, from makeup to attire, had to be as exquisite and lovely as possible.

We all associate songs with specific memories or feelings. Music has played an integral part in the global community for centuries, from weddings to graduations to even your most vulnerable moments. We can guarantee that music has been your companion through all these feelings and memories. What you probably didn’t know, however, is that music dates back more than 2000 years ago and that our ancestors, the ancient Egyptians, also used music to commemorate big life events. But it didn’t sound quite like music now.

Ramadan celebrations have unique incarnations in Egypt. This holy month is seen by Egyptians as a refuge, a chance for introspection, and a means of being closer to God. Egyptians have been celebrating the holy month of Ramadan with distinct specialty delicacies for many decades. When the first few days of Ramadan arrive, Egyptians rush to the stores selling Kunafa. This delicacy is among this holy month's most significant customs and rituals. It grew to be an essential component of it, and even though generations in Egypt came and went throughout the millennia, it has remained a Ramadan staple.

For over a century, the words “Iftar cannon, fire!” were words that brought on a wave of relief for millions of Egyptians. It meant that another day of fasting was successful. Egyptians are brought together by this Iftar cannon. It unites people from all areas of life to commemorate the holy month of Ramadan, irrespective of their backgrounds. As a group, they break their fast together at various sites, and the cannon discharge is a moment of communal celebration.

If you’ve ever had a Turkish coffee with an Egyptian auntie, odds are, she’s tried telling your fortune through the maps left behind by the coffee beans at the bottom of the cup. A part of Egyptian culture is the custom of using one's depleted coffee (Qahwa) cup to reveal another person’s past and future. There's no denying Egyptians have adopted a spiritualist coffee culture.

There’s a hundred percent guarantee you see at least one cat every day while living in Egypt. Whether you’re a cat owner, a cat lover, or even a dog person, you see cats at every corner in Cairo. We all know that cats had a big role in ancient Egyptian mythology and culture. If you’ve ever wondered why, well, ancient Egyptians had solid reasons regarding their appreciation for them, and it’s worth dissecting why our furry neighbors were associated with gods.

The exchanging of rings has been a classic representation of a couple's oneness, love, and commitment for millennia. However, only a few realize that the origins of this lasting custom can be found in ancient Egyptian society, which is also where the idea of the wedding ring originated. The circular ring had more meaning and symbolism in Egypt's past than just being an ornament; it stood for deeply held views on eternal life, love, and the continuous cycle of existence.

Here is Egypt in the old days when it was under the rule of King Fuad I (reign 1917 - 1936) and King Farouk (reign 1936 - 1952). The streets looked more or less empty, well at least compared to nowadays, only a few cars and really a few people walking in the streets of Downtown Cairo.

The population at the time was around 20 million people so would make sense to today's crowds especially in the capital and major cities.

May Ziadeh was a prominent Palestinian female writer, poet and feminist in the early 20th century. Born in Nazareth in 1886 to a Palestinian mother and a Lebanese father, they lived in Palestine till 1908, then immigrated to Egypt where she stayed most of her life.

Being the daughter of Elias Ziadeh, the founder and editor of the newspaper Al-Mahrusah in Egypt at the time, she too was able to publish her works in many different magazines and literary contexts including Al Hilal and Al Ahram , writing in both Arabic and French mainly and only a few of her works in English.

Art is a form of expression of the artist’s soul reflecting their inner and outer environments as a mirror to the events and cultures locally and globally.

Egypt has a rich variety of renowned artists across different media like painters, sculptors, singers, actors, writers, musicians, dancers and the list can go on. In this blog, we are featuring four of Egypt’s contemporary artists who have their unique blueprint here in Egypt and worldwide.

Looking at an old local weekly newspaper called Anbaa Al Maadi, issued in 1958 by Hassan Ibrahim Sobhi Bey who was a Maadi resident at the time, you see the delight of community news and the sharing of weekly events and activities, residents that have returned to their homes after travels, awards being celebrated and even, a resident who got well after having a sick leave and is back to work.

As we are beginning a new year full of new hopes and new beginnings , the Blue Lotus came to mind as it has been depicted to represent the symbolism of rebirth, resurrection, and ascension to purity and divinity.

Within the vibrant tapestry of Egyptian culture, the galabeya stands as an enduring symbol of tradition and history.

Ancient Egypt is renowned for its rich and complex spiritual beliefs, many of which revolved around the concept of the human psyche and its journey through life and the afterlife.

Throughout history, garlic has been celebrated not only for its culinary uses but also for its perceived protective qualities.

The Library of Alexandria, often referred to as the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, stands as a modern testament to the rich intellectual legacy of the ancient world.

As one of the most intriguing civilizations in history, ancient Egypt continues to captivate the world with its majestic pyramids, enigmatic hieroglyphs, and fascinating culture.

Every year in the northern hemisphere between September and February, the earth gifts us with her delightful pomegranates.