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

Creation

Egyptians believed that at the beginning of creation, a mound of earth arose out of an infinite watery darkness, just as the fields of Egypt reappear after the annual floods of the Nile. Upon this mound the Creative Force, the most visible aspect of which was the sun, generated the gods and, ultimately, all the living things on Earth, in the waters, and in the sky.

Temple of Dendur
In plan and construction, Egyptian temples were metaphors in stone for this creation myth. Lining the temple base are carvings of papyrus and lotus plants that grow up from water. Two columns in the shape of papyrus stalks bound with lilies rise toward the sky, which is symbolized on the entrance ceiling by images of vultures, wings outspread, and by a winged sun disk above the entrance.

Photograph Credits