What did the double crown of the Egyptian pharaohs symbolize? Attributes of power

In ancient Egypt for several millennia ruled by the pharaohs. They were considered the embodiment of the supreme god on earth. The Egyptians were convinced that Pharaoh was born of a higher deity who was embodied in the ruling monarch and the Queen Mother. Pharaoh regulated the life of Egyptian society and participated in religious rites. With his death, the entire life-style of society collapsed, the order and calm of citizens were violated, because without it there is no Egypt.

What kind of life did the Pharaohs lead? What were the attributes of power? What did the double crown of the Egyptian pharaohs symbolize? The answers to these questions are contained in the article.

Two parts of Egypt

What did the double crown of the Egyptian pharaohs symbolize? Unity. The first dynasties of rulers date back to the era of the Early Kingdom. History tells that this period is characterized by the duality of Egypt, which consisted of the Upper and Lower kingdoms. This unity was fragile. When the new ruler ascended to the throne, the lands of Egypt were united, but such an association was violent in nature. The struggle of territorial units is a red thread through the whole period of history, but the head of state was the king. For centuries, dynasties succeeded each other, the state changed, but the power of the pharaoh remained inviolable.

Pharaoh is God

Pharaohs we call the lord of ancient Egypt. The emergence of the word is associated with the era of the New Kingdom and did not serve as an official name. Simply, this word was shorter and allowed to avoid mentioning the long royal name and all its titles. This term was borrowed by the Greeks from the Bible. Translating it from Egyptian, we get a "great house". Most likely, the name came from the palace where the Egyptian king lived.

The nearest environment of the pharaoh could not call the master by name. He was called "He," "Horus," "His Majesty," God. "Often the ruler was called" by both bishops ", because in his person the goddesses of both halves of the kingdom were joined in. The usual designation of the pharaoh uniting both parts of Egypt was the expression" belonging to Cane and Bee. "The reed signified Upper Egypt, the bee-Lower.

All the royal power was deified, there was a cult of the pharaoh. If he was considered the embodiment of God in the guise of a person, then, therefore, he had a dual nature. Pharaoh appeared in the light as a result of the marriage of God in the guise of the ruling pharaoh and the mother of the future ruler. Initially, the god-father was Ra, later - Amon-Ra. Pharaoh was the embodiment of the god Horus on earth during his lifetime, and after death - the embodiment of Osiris.

Double Crown

What is its history? What did the double crown of the Egyptian pharaohs symbolize? How did she look?

One of the main attributes of power was a headdress called "pshent", which had the meaning of a crown. It consisted of two crowns, which were of different colors. Red belonged to Lower Egypt, white to Upper Egypt. Their merger meant the acquisition of power over both lands. These crowns were worn together.

What else did the double crown of the Egyptian pharaohs symbolize? To whom did it belong?

Both parts of the Egyptian land had their patronesses - goddesses. The Lower Egyptian goddess Wadjet was revered as a cobra, the Upper Egyptian, Nehbet, was depicted as a vulture. Their images were pinned to the front of the crown. Thus, the double crown of the Egyptian pharaohs symbolized power over the united lands of Egypt.

Shawl

For everyday wearing, a handkerchief was fitted. It was worn all over the place. In Pharaoh he consisted of a large piece of cloth in stripes, ribbons and diadems with a snake. This handkerchief was called "claft". How did he put on? On the forehead was applied in a horizontal position, then the band was tied, on top it was fixed with a diadem. At the rear, the material was collected and fixed with tape ends. Sometimes the crown was worn on the claft.

Other attributes

The oldest attribute of power is the staff, it was a memory of the times of cattle breeding, because then it played a significant role in people's lives. For several millennia, the staff remained among the symbols of the power of the pharaohs, but on the frescoes the pharaoh was often depicted without him.

Another symbol of power was hake. It was a short rod, the upper end of which was rounded. This symbol was not individual, such a rod used by both the gods and high officials. There was also one more rod, only in the form of a long cane with a bifurcated end from below. Above, he was decorated with a jackal's head. These attributes were depicted with a whip. As an attribute of royal dignity, the kings wore an overlaid beard made of gold.

Activity of the pharaoh

In Egypt there were 30 ruling dynasties. Despite the divine origin, the pharaohs led a difficult and even debilitating life. They took the most active part in the life of the country. No economic report was not without careful study, pharaohs had to delve into all spheres of life of the state and make decisions about war and peace.

Pharaoh for the Egyptians is the guarantor of stability, justice and order. Anyone could apply for mercy to the master. Therefore, his death was a tragedy, and the accession to the throne - a holiday.