Scarab, << SKAR uhb, >> is the name of a large group of beetles. There are about 20,000 species (kinds) of scarabs. Some of them, including Japanese beetles and junebugs, feed on plants and may harm lawns or crops. Other species breed in dung (manure). They sometimes roll this dung into pellets, which they roll to their burrows to be used as larval food. Eggs are laid in the pellets.
The ancient Egyptians regarded the pellets of the sacred scarab as symbols of the world. They believed that projections on the heads of the beetles were emblems of the rays of the sun. The sacred scarab also symbolized resurrection and immortality. The Egyptians carved figures of the insects out of stone or metal, and used them as charms. Such figures were called scarabs. Usually, Egyptians removed the heart of a dead person and put a large carved and often jeweled scarab in its place during embalming.
