Marjoram – The Egyptian name for marjoram (Majorana hortensis) was sm Sbk “herb of Souchos’. In Greek it became sampsouchos. An interesting note is that the ‘naucratite wreath’, a funerary garland of Roman Egypt, was made of sweet marjoram. (1) Marjoram was an embalming herb, and was frequently included as a popular plant for incense.
Pink & Purple Flowers – Okay, so hear me out on this one! [UPG] I was walking the dogs one glorious late spring day and came across a flowering bush of pink flowers. I picked several and took them home for my Sobek altar, and He was pleased. I later came across “Play Behavior in Crocodilians”, which noted that there were several instances observed of various crocodilian species appearing to show a preference for holding or seemingly ‘playing’ with pink flowers. So UPG, and it stays!
Date Palms – While this is not at all an exclusive association, Sobek is frequently shown with date palms. A palm frond along with the sun-disk was sometimes placed on the forehead of crocodile mummies, and in Deir el-Medina stelae were found that combined images of crocodiles and palm fronds. Date palms were an integral part of Egyptian agriculture and symbols of fertility, abundance, regeneration, as well as a connection to the Nile. The palm, in some myths, is said to have emerged from the primeval waters, thus symbolizing life and rebirth, and resurrection after death, being a common funerary motif. In Crocodilopolis, the city’s temple economy relied on palm products, and dates were recorded as being an offering to both Sobek the god and his sacred crocodile. In the Roman Period, date palms and crocodiles combined were used as the symbol of Egypt.
(1) Manniche, Lise. 1999. An Ancient Egyptian Herbal. Rev. ed. London: British Museum Press.
Dua Sobek 