The Falcon God Horus and the Pharaoh's Symbolic Power

Part of the King's Museum Tuesday Evening Lecture Series

Speaker: David Lightbody, Egyptology Scotland

Venue: New King's, room 10

The falcon god Horus was the pharaoh's special guardian on earth and representative in the heavens. He first carried the shen ring above the pharaoh in temple relief scenes dating to the beginning of the Old Kingdom. This coupling of the falcon and shen symbols represented encircling, eternal protection for the pharaoh. David Lightbody, Chair of Egyptology Scotland, will argue that the origins of this pairing lay in the gyring flight patterns of the vigilant falcons of Egypt, as they searched for prey from the thermal air currents over the Nile river banks.

The shen ring was extended to create the cartouche symbol and so protect the pharaoh's name, and in time the cartouche came to be the principal symbol signifying the pharaoh. In death, these symbols continued to provide symbolic protection for the pharaoh's tomb, burial chamber and sarcophagus. Examples of the ways in which this symbolism was expressed and evolved through time will be explored.

All are welcome to this series of public lectures organised by King's Museum in collaboration with Egyptology Scotland. This event is free.

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