Ancient Egypt – The Two Lands

Ancient Egypt can broken into separate time periods. These are: - Pre-dynasty - Early Dynasty - Old Kingdom - First Intermediate Period - Middle Kingdom - Second Intermediate Period - New Kingdom - Third Intermediate Period - Late Period – Persian, Greek, Roman The period considered to be when Egypt reached its highest power and dominance is during the New Kingdom.

The Division of ancient Egypt During the pre-dynastic period and during the intermediate periods of the Egyptian civilisation, Egypt was divided in two – Upper and Lower Egypt. These labels are not based on the geographic layout of Egypt. Upper Egypt is actually located in the southern half of the country and Lower Egypt is in the north. The division of Egypt this way is influenced by the Nile, as the Nile flows out to sea in the north that is considered to be lower Egypt.

Identifying Lower Egypt Through Symbology Both Upper and Lower Egypt had three key symbols that they identified with. The most important distinction was with the crown of the Pharaoh. In Lower Egypt, Pharaohs wore the Deshret or the Red Crown.

Identifying Lower Egypt Through Symbology Upper and Lower Egypt were also protected by a goddess. Lower Egypt was protected by the cobra goddess Wadjet. This can often be seen around the heads of Pharaohs as a Uraeus. This was designed to strike fear into the enemies of Pharaoh.

Identifying Lower Egypt Through Symbology Upper and Lower Egypt were also identified through a natural symbol. For Lower Egypt this symbol was the papyrus plant, a plant which grew abundantly in the marshy region of the Delta. Columns in temples were often topped with the Papyrus capital.

Identifying Upper Egypt Through Symbology: For Upper Egypt the distinctive crown of Pharaoh was that Hedjet or White Crown. This crown is also often associated with the God Osiris.

Identifying Upper Egypt Through Symbology The protector goddess of Upper Egypt was the vulture goddess Nekhbet. Once again the vulture was designed to strike fear in enemies. She is often depicted on ceilings so as to look down upon any who pass below.

Identifying Upper Egypt Through Symbology The floral symbol of Upper Egypt was the Lotus which was famous in the gardens of all Pharaohs during the New Kingdom. The Blue Lotus was often prized amongst the Theban elite who believed that the flower was an aphrodisiac. The Lotus topped column is common in temples of Upper Egypt.

Unification of Upper and Lower Egypt Eventually both Upper and Lower Egypt were brought together to form the unified country that we have come to know about. When both parts of Egypt were united they kept parts of each of Egypt’s symbology and combined the symbols to make new united representations. Most importantly the crown to symbolise the Pharaoh of Upper and Lower Egypt, Lord of the Two Lands. The Pshent is the crown symbolising Upper and Lower Egypt united.

Unification of Upper and Lower Egypt The Goddesses would come together to form Nebty or The Two Ladies. This symbol was also turned into a crown, usually worn by Queens or goddesses. It would then be depicted with the body of a vulture and head of a cobra.

Unification of Upper and Lower Egypt In the Late Period of Egypt a new style of column capital emerged which was a combination of the Papyrus and Lotus. The greatest coming together of these two plants though is in the Sema symbol. The Sema is usually depicted as a pair of lungs attached to the windpipe to symbolise the unification of Egypt. When the Sema is joined with the Lotus and Papyrus, this symbol becomes even more important.

More Symbology Khepresh: -The blue crown of Pharaoh. -This crown was worn for several occasions as it was smaller and less bulky than others. -Primarily the Khepresh was worn during battles and religious duties.

More Symbology Nemes: -Striped head cloth worn by Pharaoh. -The nemes would cover the whole of the crown, back of the head and nape of the neck. -It had two large flaps which hung behind the ears and behind the shoulders. -Pharaohs would often be depicted wearing the nemes and the double crown.

More Symbology Ankh: -Symbol of eternal life. -Often referred to as The Key of Life. -The gods are often seen holding an ankh to a person’s lips as an offering of “The Breath of Life.” -This breath is needed in the afterlife. -A Pharaoh may also be seen being purified by the gods who pour the ankh over the Pharaoh.

More Symbology Djed Pillar: -A symbol depicting the human backbone. -Represents stability and strength. -Associated with creator god Ptah. -When the cult of Osiris became more popular it was known as the backbone of Osiris. -A djed column is often shown on the bottom of sarcophagi where the deceased’s backbone would lie. -This would act as a sign of stability for the deceased’s journey to the afterlife.

More Symbology Shenu: -More commonly referred to as a cartouche. -The shenu is a loop of rope in which a name is written. -The loop has no beginning and no end symbolising eternity. -The shenu is used to depict the name of a Pharaoh.

More Symbology Tiet: -Often referred to as the ‘Knot of Isis’. -Resembles an ankh with arms folded down and the meaning is very similar to that of the ankh. -The tiet is often depicted alongside the ankh and the djed and later with the was sceptre. -The tiet is often used with the goddesses as a symbol of resurrection and eternal life.

More Symbology Udjat: -The eye of the God Horus symbolising healing and protection. -Horus was a sky god who was usually depicted as a falcon and his right eye was associated with the sun Ra. -The udjat eye shows the markings that usually appear around a peregrine falcon’s eye. -Amulets of the udjat were very common finds in the wrappings of mummies and Egyptian and Near Eastern sailors often painted the eye on the side of their boats for protection.

More Symbology Was: -Symbol of power and dominion. -The Was sceptre is often carried by deities and Pharaohs as a symbol of their power. -The Was sceptre was used in funerary contexts as it was responsible for the well-being of the deceased. -The Was sceptre is also a symbol of Thebes which in Egyptian was called Waset. -Was sceptres were associated with the god Set and the top of the sceptre often takes his form, however they later were used as a symbol of control over the forces of chaos that Set represented.