Philae - Jewel of the Nile

Every Egyptian temple building was a microcosm. All the parts of the temple structure had its specific symbolism, which is most clearly seen in the developed New Kingdom temples. It was a model of the universe. Its' form was rectangular, there was a mud brick wall surrounding the whole temple area, which was built on an alternatingly concave and convex foundation. This symbolized Nun, the primeval waters, out of which Creation had risen. The temple pylons opened into one or several open courtyards which lead into one or several roofed halls with grouped, decorated pillars.

The floor slanted gradually upwards along the processional route through the temple towards the innermost sanctum where the god resided. It symbolized the great wet marshes from where the primeval ground had emerged and the gods had once appeared.

The pillars in the open courtyards and the covered halls accordingly represented papyrus plants, lotus and palm trees while the lower parts of the temple walls depicted different plants which grew in the marshes.

The ceiling in the roofed halls symbolized the sky of this microcosm, it was decorated with stars and flying birds representing different protective deities.

These structural designs of the temple recreated the conditions at the beginning of Creation. There were also those which reflected the daily recreation of Zep Tepi, i.e. 'the First Time':

The symbolic meaning of the pylons was the same as the hieroglyph for "horizon", that point where the sun rose each day. At Edfu the pylons are called "Isis and Nephtys who raise up the sun god who shines on the horizon". They reflect the sun's journey each day as it rises above the pylons in the east, moving across the courtyards and halls during the day, at midday the rays of the sun reaches all the way into the innermost chamber and finally it sets in the west.

The architecture of the Egyptian temple was a symbolically recreated cosmos, fully functional according to Ma´at, the inner sanctum being the most well-protected part, where the god could be in residence in actual effect. The same principles were used with mortuary temples, tombs, and palaces.

The entrance into the Outer Court went through a great portal set between two high pylons. The general worshipper was not allowed further into the temple building than here. Priests met him here and took care of his offerings. Often here were shrines with statues of other gods beside the one which the temple was built for. The visitor could honour these, leave offerings and pray by them.

Often yet another pair of pylons had to be passed before the Inner Court was reached. This however, was the area of the priesthood and of Pharao. These courtyards were without roof and the reliefs on the walls depicted the king in battle or making offerings to the gods. Along the walls a row of columns ran.

Behind the open courts there was usually one or more column halls (hypostyle halls). This was the reception area of the god. The pillars, arranged in groups, were richly decorated with painted reliefs depicting deities and religious symbols. Their capitals were formed as lotuses, papyruses or palms. Smaller sidedoors, intended for bringing in offerings, lead into the halls. The only windows were narrow and set high up below the ceiling, which likewise was decorated. The floor was slanting upwards towards the sanctum to symbolize the ground of the Primeval Mound.

Behind the hypostyle halls was the relatively small, dark, rectangular sanctuary, resembling the predynastic reed shrines. Within it the naos which held the statue of the deity, was placed. Apart from this there could sometimes be kept the deity´s processional bargue. Otherwize the room was empty. Around the sanctuary other smaller chambers could be found, which housed sometimes lesser deities, the god´s processional bark, ritual tools and stores for his other belongings, like clothes, jewellery and insignia.

The shrine was where the naos - an upright chest made of wood or stone, and closed with two doors, housed the cult statue of the deity. This was where the high priest or his deputy performed rituals three times a day - at sunrise, at midday and at sunset. The doors to the naos was opened and the cult statue, which often was made of gold, was taken care of, washed, purified, clothed and applied makeup to. Then offerings of incence, flowers, different kinds of food was presented and finally the doors to the naos was closed once again to remain so until the next ritual. This opening of the doors was referred to as the 'Opening of the Doors to the Horizon', alluding to the rising sun.