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(Lily/Lotus)
Together with the ished tree's blossoms, the lily was used during funerals as decoration. They would decorate the coffins and statues of the deceased. In time, the lily became associated with both rebirth and creation. This was because, as they observed, the water lily would close up during the night and open again in the morning. Because of this, they became associated with the Sun God, Re and his "rebirth" at dawn.
The flower was the symbol of the South (Upper Egypt). It is often referred to as the lotus, but actually it was a water lily - sometimes called the "southern plant". In ancient Egypt, two such flowers grew. On was white in color and called, Nymphaea lotus. The other, blue in hue, was named Nymphaea caerulea. It is this blue species which one sees most often as the sacred lotus.
Because of its significance, the lily is found in much artwork and architecture of ancient Egypt. It is most often found in the design of temple columns and is often depicted in the imagery of the "Unification of the Two Lands" (either held or worn by a Nile deity or by Seth). Gods and Goddesses are often seen sniffing these blossoms in ancient artwork.
*Sources:
"Ancient Egypt" by Lorna Oakes and Lucia Gahlin, pg. 334-335 © Anness Publishing Ltd 2002, 2006
Egyptian words from Ancient Expressions
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All images © 2007 Seshat Taharqa. All rights reserved.
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