The Art of Ancient Egypt | Publications for Educators | Explore & Learn

Animal Symbols

In Sphinx of Senwosret III, the pharaoh's head is depicted on the body of a lion to symbolize royal power. Ask the students to think of a person they admire, either someone they know or a famous person, and then think of an animal or a combination of animals whose characteristics symbolize the special qualities of that person. Have them draw a picture of the animal or animals and write a description of why the animal(s) symbolize the person they have chosen. You may decide to display the animal pictures and the descriptions separately in the school hallway and challenge other classes to match them up.

To extend the activity, ask the students to draw parts of animals--a lion's paws, a bird's wings, the snout and teeth of a crocodile, the horns of a bull, and so on--and then combine them to form new creatures. What or who could they represent and why?

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