Philae, Jewel of the Nile

Common worshippers of the old days never saw this hall of splendor in the God´s Abode. They were received by godservants at the Outer Court, where their offerings were taken care of and carried into the temple.

Ten huge, beautifully painted pillars adorn the room. They symbolize the first plants, trees and flowers of the earth which began to grow on the Primeval Mound (symbolized by the temple floor). In the ceiling (the sky), are images of the Day Boat and the Night Boat, and of the vultures of Upper and Lower Egypt.

Only for Priests

Just as in all other temples in Kemet, the priesthood were the only ones allowed past the Outer Court. To enter the Sanctum and lay eyes on the statue of the Goddess within it, was only for the High Priest while conducting the daily services.

At the furthest end of the hypostyle hall we come, via a transitory vestibule, to three smaller rooms in a row, all depicted with carvings of ritual scenes. In the first of them there is a staricase leading up to the

Chapel of Osiris

where the walls depict ritual scenes with Wesir (Osiris), Aset (Isis), Nebt-Het (Nephtys) and Osiris-Wenennefer. A little further on there are pictures of the Resurrection of Osiris, surrounded by Horus, Nephtys, Serket and several other gods.

Behind these pillars are the doors to the antechambers that lead into the dark innermost chamber of the temple - the Sanctum. There the statue of the goddess was safely hidden, enclosed in its naos behind locked doors. In front of the shrine was a pillar which supported the sacred barque of Isis, made of gold and a gift from Ptolemy III and his wife Berenice.

One of the anterooms is a so called Wabet (8), "The Pure Hall", a room where on each New Year´s Day the Goddess was placed to receieve special festive offerings.

The walls between these antechambers, and in fact most walls, are covered with reliefs depicting offering scenes and inscribed with hymns to the Great Lady of Philae - Isis.