Volume III Decans of the Zodiac of Denderah

Grand Temple Ceiling

1. ZODIAQUE SCULPTE AU PLAFOND DE L'UNE DES SALLES SEPERIEURES DE GRAND TEMPLE.
A. Vol. IV. DENDERAH (TENTYRIS) (Denderah Zodiac with Hathor)

The image below is the enlarged view of the Denderah Zodiac.

In "The Dawn of Astronomy" a study of the temple-worship and mythology of the Ancient Egyptians by J. Norman Lockyer, New York, The McMillian Company 1897, as stated on page 136-137, in regard to the so-called "Round Zodiac", "In the round zodiac, found in another temple, there are some points which at one claim our attention. There is, first, a mythological figure of a cow in a boat, and, near it, another mythological figure, which the subsequent reading of inscriptions has proved to represent the constellation of Orion. In the centre of the Zodiac we have a jackal, and there is very little doubt that it represents the constellation which we now call the Little Bear (Ursa Minor), which then, as now, was near the pole. Not far away we get the leg of an animal; this, we know, was a constellation called the Thigh, and there seems to be absolutely no question that it represents the constellation we now call the Great Bear (Ursa Major). Again, close by is another mythological form, which we know represents the Hippopotamus. This was made up out of some of the group of stars which forms the present constellation Draco. There are also two hieroglyphs which subsequent research has proved to represent setting stars and rising stars, so that whatever may have been the date of this round zodiac of Denderah, it is clear that we are dealing with a time when the stars had been classed in constellations, one of which, the constellation Orion, even survives to our own day."

    In "The Dawn of Astronomy" a study of the temple-worship and mythology of the Ancient Egyptians by J. Norman Lockyer, New York, The McMillian Company 1897, as stated on page 135, in regard to the so-called "Square Zodiac", "Investigations have shown that the zodiac includes a reference to a great many celestial phenomena of the utmost importance.    There is no difficulty in recognising some of the zodiacal signs, but there the resemblance to the modern zodiac ends, for the reason that each of the strange processions of mythological personages represent not only constellations, with some of which we may be familiar, but a great deal more.    It is noteworthy that the illustration of the very first astronomical point which we have to consider brings out the fact that it is impossible to disconnect Egyptian mythology from astronomy."
    He continues on page 136-137, "In the square zodiac, then there is an immense amount of astronomy.
    Now if we take the opposite side, that is the north-west corner, ...."

2. PLAFOND DU PORTIQUE DU GRAND TEMPLE
A. Vol. IV. DENDERAH (TENTYRIS) PL. 18 (Porch of Grand Temple with Capricornus-Leo)

Below is the upper section of the above image.

In "The Dawn of Astronomy" by J. Norman Lockyer, New York, The McMillian Company 1897, as stated on page 136-137, in regard to the so-called "Square Zodiac", "We see Osiris represented by the moon, and by an eye at the top of fourteen steps, which symbolizes the fourteen days of the waxing moon."
He continues on page 391, "Osiris, is certainly a Moon-god in the myth of Isis and Osiris, for he was cut into fourteen pieces, the number of days of the waning moon."

Below is the middle section of the above image.

In "The Dawn of Astronomy" by J. Norman Lockyer, New York, The McMillian Company 1897, as stated on page 136-137, in regard to the so-called "Square Zodiac", "The courses of the sun and moon are next given, and some of the lunar mythology is revealed to us."

Below is the enlarged left and right lower section of the above image.

In "The Dawn of Astronomy" by J. Norman Lockyer, New York, The McMillian Company 1897, as stated on page 136-137, in regard to the so-called "Square Zodiac", "... we find that we have to do chiefly with the opposite part of the sky including the signs of the Lion, the Scales, and Sagittarius, and below them other stars are represented as mythological personages in boats (i.e. the other 18 Decans)."
Lockyer continues on page 148, "In the square zodiac at Denderah, we find an illustration of the Hippopotamus and the Thigh, and the chain referred to in the inscription is there also. It will be quite worthwhile to see whether this chain is not justified by some line of stars between the chief stars in Draco and those in the Great Bear (Ursa Major)." He is asking, whether Isis is the chain between the two constellations..

Below is the lower section of the above image.

To see a detail of the above image go to Volume III Grand Temple Decans 1 through 18.

3. PLAFOND DU PORTIQUE DU GRAND TEMPLE
A. Vol. IV. DENDERAH (TENTYRIS) PL. 18 (Porch of Grand Temple with Cancer-Aquarius)
rotated 180 degrees for a better view.

Below is the upper section of the above image.

In "The Dawn of Astronomy" by J. Norman Lockyer, New York, The McMillian Company 1897, as stated on page 135, in regard to the so-called "Square Zodiac", "... whilst, outermost of all, we get the twelve solar positions, occupied by the sun each hour from rising to setting, represented by twelve boats (seen in the middle row)."

Below is the middle section of the above image.

In "The Dawn of Astronomy" by J. Norman Lockyer, New York, The McMillian Company 1897, as stated on page 135, in regard to the so-called "Square Zodiac", "In the middle section the sun's course in different parts of the year, is given: ...."

Below is the enlarged left and right lower section of the above image.

In "The Dawn of Astronomy" by J. Norman Lockyer, New York, The McMillian Company 1897, as stated on page 135, in regard to the so-called "Square Zodiac", "..., the lower part is occupied by stars represented in the guise of different mythological personages, sailing along in boats (i.e. which represents 18 of the Decans on the Zodiac of Denderah), and seen above them we get half of the zodiac with the signs of the Fish, the Ram, the Bull and Twins represented."

Below is the lower section of the above image.

To see a detail of the above image go to Volume III Grand Temple Decans 19 through 37.

If you would like to do some comparisons of the images above with those found at Esne, then select one of the following:

To see a detail of Volume III Esne Plate 79.

To see a detail of Volume III Esne Plate 87 the lower section.

To see a detail of Volume III Esne Plate 87 the upper section.