© 1996-2010 Deurer
All Rights Reserved.
All Rights Reserved.
Akhet
This symbol
represents the horizon from which the sun emerged and disappeared. The horizon
thus embodied the idea of both sunrise and sunset. It is similar to the two
peaks of theDjew or mountain symbol with solar disk
in the center. Both the beginning and the end of each day was guarded by Aker,
a double lion god. In the New Kingdom, Harmakhet ("Horus
in the Horizon") became the god of the rising and setting sun. He was
pictured as a falcon, or as a sphinx with the body of a lion. The Great Sphinx
of Giza is an example of "Horus in the Horizon".
represents the horizon from which the sun emerged and disappeared. The horizon
thus embodied the idea of both sunrise and sunset. It is similar to the two
peaks of theDjew or mountain symbol with solar disk
in the center. Both the beginning and the end of each day was guarded by Aker,
a double lion god. In the New Kingdom, Harmakhet ("Horus
in the Horizon") became the god of the rising and setting sun. He was
pictured as a falcon, or as a sphinx with the body of a lion. The Great Sphinx
of Giza is an example of "Horus in the Horizon".
Amenta
This symbol
represents the Underworld or Land of the Dead. Originally it meant the horizon
of the sun set. Later, it became the symbol of the west bank of the Nile, where
the sun set and also where the Egyptians traditionally buried their dead.
represents the Underworld or Land of the Dead. Originally it meant the horizon
of the sun set. Later, it became the symbol of the west bank of the Nile, where
the sun set and also where the Egyptians traditionally buried their dead.
Ankh
Symbol of eternal
life. The gods are often seen holding an ankh to someone's lips this is
considered to be an offering of "The Breath of Life". The breath you
will need in the afterlife.
life. The gods are often seen holding an ankh to someone's lips this is
considered to be an offering of "The Breath of Life". The breath you
will need in the afterlife.
Atef
The atef crown was
worn by Osiris. It is made up of the white crown of
Upper Egypt and the red feathers are representative of Busiris, Osiris's cult
center in the Delta.
worn by Osiris. It is made up of the white crown of
Upper Egypt and the red feathers are representative of Busiris, Osiris's cult
center in the Delta.
Ba
The Ba is what we
might call someones personality. It would leave the body at the time of death.
During the days the Ba would make itself useful, at night it would return to
the tomb. At this time, it would look for the person to which it belonged. This
would be the mummy, however, often the egyptians would supply the Ba with a
statue in the likeness of the deceased in case the mummy was lost or damaged.
might call someones personality. It would leave the body at the time of death.
During the days the Ba would make itself useful, at night it would return to
the tomb. At this time, it would look for the person to which it belonged. This
would be the mummy, however, often the egyptians would supply the Ba with a
statue in the likeness of the deceased in case the mummy was lost or damaged.
Canopic Jars
During mummification the internal
organs were removed and placed in four containers. These containers often have
human or animal-headed stoppers. The word, canopic, comes from the Greek name
of the local god of Canopus in the Nile delta, who was represented as a
human-headed pot. Canopic jars can be made of limestone, alabaster, wood,
pottery, or even cartonnage. The heads of the canopic jar represented the Four Sons of Horus
. . . . .From left to right they are;
organs were removed and placed in four containers. These containers often have
human or animal-headed stoppers. The word, canopic, comes from the Greek name
of the local god of Canopus in the Nile delta, who was represented as a
human-headed pot. Canopic jars can be made of limestone, alabaster, wood,
pottery, or even cartonnage. The heads of the canopic jar represented the Four Sons of Horus
. . . . .From left to right they are;
right they are;
Imsety: The human
headed guardian of the liver
headed guardian of the liver
Qebekh-sennuef: The falcon
headed guardian of the intestines.
headed guardian of the intestines.
Hapy: The baboon
headed guardian of the lungs
headed guardian of the lungs
Duamutef:The jackal or wild
dog headed guardian of the stomach.
dog headed guardian of the stomach.
Deshret
The Red Crown. This was the crown that represented Lower Egypt
(northern).
(northern).
Djed
It is believed that the Djed is a rendering of a human backbone. It
represents stability and strength. It was originally associated with the
creation god Ptah. Himself being called the "Noble Djed".
As the Osiriscults took hold it became known as
the backbone ofOsiris . A djed column is often painted
on the bottom of coffins, where the backbone of the deceased would lay, this
identified the person with the king of the underworld, Osiris. It also acts as a sign of stability
for the deceased' journey into the afterlife.
represents stability and strength. It was originally associated with the
creation god Ptah. Himself being called the "Noble Djed".
As the Osiriscults took hold it became known as
the backbone ofOsiris . A djed column is often painted
on the bottom of coffins, where the backbone of the deceased would lay, this
identified the person with the king of the underworld, Osiris. It also acts as a sign of stability
for the deceased' journey into the afterlife.
Djew
Which means
mountain, the symbol suggests two peaks with the Nile valley in the middle. The
Egyptians believed that there was a cosmic mountain range that held up the
heavens. This mountain range had two peaks, the western peak was called Manu,
while the eastern peak was called Bakhu. It was on these peaks that heaven
rested. Each peak of this mountain chain was guarded by a lion deity, who's job
it was to protect the sun as it rose and set. The mountain was also a symbol of
the tomb and the afterlife, probably because most Egyptian tombs were located
in the mountainous land bordering the Nile valley. In some texts we findAnubis,
the gaurdian of the tomb being referred to as "He who is upon his
mountain." Sometimes we find Hathor takeing
on the attributes of a deity of the afterlife, at this time she is called "Mistress
of the Necropolis." She is rendered as the head of a cow
protruding from a mountainside.
mountain, the symbol suggests two peaks with the Nile valley in the middle. The
Egyptians believed that there was a cosmic mountain range that held up the
heavens. This mountain range had two peaks, the western peak was called Manu,
while the eastern peak was called Bakhu. It was on these peaks that heaven
rested. Each peak of this mountain chain was guarded by a lion deity, who's job
it was to protect the sun as it rose and set. The mountain was also a symbol of
the tomb and the afterlife, probably because most Egyptian tombs were located
in the mountainous land bordering the Nile valley. In some texts we findAnubis,
the gaurdian of the tomb being referred to as "He who is upon his
mountain." Sometimes we find Hathor takeing
on the attributes of a deity of the afterlife, at this time she is called "Mistress
of the Necropolis." She is rendered as the head of a cow
protruding from a mountainside.
Feather of Maat
Represents truth,
justice, morality and balance. It was pharaoh's job to uphold Maat. When a
pharaoh died, Maat was lost and the world was flung into chaos, only the
coronation of a new pharaoh could restore Maat.
justice, morality and balance. It was pharaoh's job to uphold Maat. When a
pharaoh died, Maat was lost and the world was flung into chaos, only the
coronation of a new pharaoh could restore Maat.
Fetish of Osiris
Flail and Crook
A symbol of
royalty, majesty and dominion.
royalty, majesty and dominion.
Heb
The heb glyph represents an alabaster bowl. These bowls were used for special
purposes like festivals or feasts.
Heb-Sed
The Heb-Sed glyph Is a combination of the heb glyph and the sed glyph. It represents the Heb-Sed or Jubilee festival. This
festival was celebrated on the 30th year of a pharoah's rule. It
was believed to renew the pharaohs strength of rule over the two lands.
festival was celebrated on the 30th year of a pharoah's rule. It
was believed to renew the pharaohs strength of rule over the two lands.
Hedjet
The White Crown.
This was the crown of Upper Egypt (southern).
This was the crown of Upper Egypt (southern).
Ieb
This symbol
represents a heart. The Egyptian believed the heart was the center of all
consciousness, even the center of life itself. When someone died it was said
that their "heart has departed." It was the only organ that was not
removed from the body during mummification. In the Book
of the dead, it was the heart that was weighed against the feather
of Maat to see if an individual was worthy of joining Osiris in
the afterlife.
represents a heart. The Egyptian believed the heart was the center of all
consciousness, even the center of life itself. When someone died it was said
that their "heart has departed." It was the only organ that was not
removed from the body during mummification. In the Book
of the dead, it was the heart that was weighed against the feather
of Maat to see if an individual was worthy of joining Osiris in
the afterlife.
Imenet
These symbols
represent the west or western desert AKA the land of the dead. The horizon on
which Ra dies at night and enters the underworld.
represent the west or western desert AKA the land of the dead. The horizon on
which Ra dies at night and enters the underworld.
Ka
The ka is usually translated as
"soul" or "spirit" The ka came into existence when an individual
was born. It was believed that the ram-headed god Khnum crafted
the ka on his potter's wheel at a persons birth. It was thought that when
someone died they "met their ka". A persons ka would live on after
their body had died. Some tombs included model houses as the ka needed a place
to live. Offerings of food and drink would be left at the tomb entrance so the
ka could eat and drink.
"soul" or "spirit" The ka came into existence when an individual
was born. It was believed that the ram-headed god Khnum crafted
the ka on his potter's wheel at a persons birth. It was thought that when
someone died they "met their ka". A persons ka would live on after
their body had died. Some tombs included model houses as the ka needed a place
to live. Offerings of food and drink would be left at the tomb entrance so the
ka could eat and drink.
Khepresh
The blue crown was a ceremonial crown
often worn in battle.
often worn in battle.
Khet
This symbol
represents a lamp or brazier on a stand from which a flame emerges. Fire was
embodied in the sun and in its symbol theuraeus which
spit fire. Fire also plays a part in the Egyptian concept of the underworld.
There is one terrifying aspect of the underworld which is similar to the
christians concept of hell. Most egyptians would like to avoid this place with
its fiery lakes and rivers that are inhabited by fire demons.
represents a lamp or brazier on a stand from which a flame emerges. Fire was
embodied in the sun and in its symbol theuraeus which
spit fire. Fire also plays a part in the Egyptian concept of the underworld.
There is one terrifying aspect of the underworld which is similar to the
christians concept of hell. Most egyptians would like to avoid this place with
its fiery lakes and rivers that are inhabited by fire demons.
Maat
Represents truth, justice,morality and balance. Deities are often seen standing on this symbol, as if
standing on a foundation of Maat.
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