DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.3720#0150
SUBJECTS IN THE TOMBS OF THE KINGS. 133
and on their dresses, was a cross, which simple device was not
uncommon in ancient Egyptian and other ornaments.
Next are the Negroes, called " 2TaJisi," representing the
South; then a white people, with hlue eyes, bushy light-
coloured beards, and short dresses, the type of the North ;
and after them come four red men, representing Egypt (con-
sidered the centre of the world, and the pure nation), who are
very appropriately followed and superintended by the god Ee>
the Sun.
These are a few of the principal subjects introduced in the
paintings of the tombs.
Those in the temples are :—
1°. Varioics religious ceremonies; of which the most common
are offerings to the chief deity and "the contemplar gods;"
the worship of the triad of the city; the bringing in of the
shrines, or arks, borne by numerous priests; the dedication of
the temple; the coronation, the consecration, and the anointing
of the king, (over whom the gods Horus and Seth are seen to
pour alternate emblems of life and power, implying that mix-
ture of good and evil which is inseparable from all human
affairs) ; and some other ceremonies. The offerings to the
gods are the most frequently repeated. They occur on the
walls, columns, and most parts of the building; and the king
has the privilege of officiating on all occasions. The deities art-
recognised by their different forms, and by the hieroglyphic
legends over them. The gods hold in one hand the sacred Tau, or
sign of life; in the other the sceptre of power, having the head of
an animal and a forked base; which last part, made of bronze,
has been more than once found at Thebes, and in one instance
ornamented much more highly than in any representation on
the monuments.
It is a curious fact, that the Arabs of the desert now u.-e
and on their dresses, was a cross, which simple device was not
uncommon in ancient Egyptian and other ornaments.
Next are the Negroes, called " 2TaJisi," representing the
South; then a white people, with hlue eyes, bushy light-
coloured beards, and short dresses, the type of the North ;
and after them come four red men, representing Egypt (con-
sidered the centre of the world, and the pure nation), who are
very appropriately followed and superintended by the god Ee>
the Sun.
These are a few of the principal subjects introduced in the
paintings of the tombs.
Those in the temples are :—
1°. Varioics religious ceremonies; of which the most common
are offerings to the chief deity and "the contemplar gods;"
the worship of the triad of the city; the bringing in of the
shrines, or arks, borne by numerous priests; the dedication of
the temple; the coronation, the consecration, and the anointing
of the king, (over whom the gods Horus and Seth are seen to
pour alternate emblems of life and power, implying that mix-
ture of good and evil which is inseparable from all human
affairs) ; and some other ceremonies. The offerings to the
gods are the most frequently repeated. They occur on the
walls, columns, and most parts of the building; and the king
has the privilege of officiating on all occasions. The deities art-
recognised by their different forms, and by the hieroglyphic
legends over them. The gods hold in one hand the sacred Tau, or
sign of life; in the other the sceptre of power, having the head of
an animal and a forked base; which last part, made of bronze,
has been more than once found at Thebes, and in one instance
ornamented much more highly than in any representation on
the monuments.
It is a curious fact, that the Arabs of the desert now u.-e