Divine Cow
hesat |
The cow was regarded as the sacred animal of several
female deities. It was associated with heaven and the underworld. Nut,
the goddess of heaven, was often depicted as the cow who rose with the
sun god Re on her back to become the sky, supported by Shu, the air. |
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Djed Column
djed |
The origin of this sign is uncertain but it may be a
stylized symbol of a pole around which sheaves of grain were tied, or
perhaps a representation of the human backbone. This latter
interpretation may explain the use of the icon to indicate
"stability". What is known is that the djed was
associated with the the chief Memphite god of creation, Ptah, who was
himself termed the "Noble Djed".In the tomb of Nefertari at
Deir el-Medina, Ptah is shown standing in a shrine-like kiosk with a
large djed column behind him. In relief scens and decorated
objects the djed was one of the most frequently used hieroglyphs, either
alone or in conjunction with the ankh and was signs or
with the tiet or "Isis
knot". |
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Door
aa |
Like gateways, doors were symbolic thresholds as well as
barriers. They could signify transition as well as protection. The
ritual act of opening these doors was symbolic of opening the gates of
heaven itself. |
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