Djed

The Djed pillar is a symbol of the Egyptian Hieroglyphics and there it represents a ideogram for the duration and resistance

The symbol

The hieroglyph was mostly in the upper part green or red and his body black, white, yellow or red and sometimes green.

The exact meaning of the subject matter is controversial. Earlier interpretations saw it as a replica of a leafless tree or a pile to the circular were bound in several stages plants bunch.

Alan Gardiner described the hieroglyph as "column imitating a bundle of stalks tied together", which roughly translated means: A pillar, the (plant) imitates a tied bundle of stems. A further description of James P. Allen is "reed ColumnN " - reed - pillar. The Egyptologist Helck thought that it is a sheaf, where the short cut and on several levels arranged in parallel ears are attached. However, this hypothesis does not fit the color scheme of the character in the Old Kingdom.

Importance

The Djed pillar dates back to prehistoric Egypt. This is evidenced by a representation in a grave in Helwan, from the Archaic period. As a sign of life and resistance, he was very popular as an amulet.

In the Old Kingdom, there was a priest of the " venerable Djed " and even the chief god of Memphis, Ptah was called " venerable Djed ". So the festival of " erection of Djedpfeilers " or " establishment of the Djed " was developed in Memphis. With the help of the respective priests of Pharaoh took this means of knitting itself. This is a long duration of kingship be achieved. Here, the resurrection of the god Sokar was celebrated.

Through a close connection between the memphis matic death god, Ptah, and the fertility god, Osiris, the ceremony was recorded in the cult of Osiris. Here the triumph of Osiris was celebrated over his enemies. The connection with Osiris gradually covered the original connection with Ptah and Sokar until they finally prevailed.

At the beginning of the New Kingdom of the Djed pillar was reinterpreted as the spine of Osiris. Since then, the coffin to the bottom, at the level of the spine, often in the symbol.