Sistrum

As a sistrum ( the Egyptian name sechem, Greek: seistron ) refers to a hand rattle of the ancient Egyptians and the Egyptian- Roman women, which she used in the cult of Isis.

The sistrum is made of a metal, bent into an oval shape frame with a stalk. Right through the temple go metal rods that gently back and forth and thus the dance bring in wide holes a deafening rattling sound. The stem is usually with a head of Hathor, the god Besa rarely decorated.

Thereafter, the " Sistrumsäulen " are named that adorn the temple of Hathor at Dendera. These contribute capitals that show on four sides Hathor's head, while the upper part of the column shows the Mammisi.

A similar instrument is still used in the liturgy of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. It says ts'anats'el or sanasel.

In Asterix band The seer, the voice of the Bard Troubadix Automatix with the sound of a sistrum is compared.