Ancient Egyptian soldiers used battle axes in hand-to-hand combat to inflict deep wounds on their enemies. The blades of battle axes were most commonly semi-circular or crescent-shaped and tied to a wooden handle with cords. Ceremonial axe heads, though similar in form, had beautiful openwork designs that made them unusable in combat. These axes were perhaps carried by soldiers on parade during important state ceremonies. This ceremonial axe head has openwork showing a griffin, a mythical falcon-headed lion with wings that symbolised Egypt’s domination over foreign enemies.