IVC backbone symbolises the Djed of Egypt Stability and eternity

IVC – Backbone symbolises the Djed column of Egypt – Eternity and stability

The djed column in ancient Egypt symbolises stability and permanence, often associated with the god Osiris, representing his backbone. It played a significant role in rituals and was believed to ensure the well-being of the deceased and their journey to the afterlife. (1)

The djed was often used as an amulet for the living and the dead. It was placed as an amulet near the spines of mummified bodies, which was supposed to ensure the resurrection of the dead, allowing the deceased to live eternally. This belief in the power of the djed to transcend death and ensure the afterlife is a fascinating aspect of ancient Egyptian culture. The Book of the Dead lists a spell which, when spoken over a gold amulet hung around the mummy’s neck, ensures that the mummy would regain use of its spine and be able to sit up. It was also painted onto coffins. (1)

History of Djed

Osiris was originally an agricultural deity from Syria. When his followers immigrated to Egypt, they brought with them their fetish (cult object). Their fetish was the djed, and they named their city after it, “Djedu”. As the popularity of Osiris grew, so did the djed’s appearance in art, especially in tombs. The djed was often painted on the bottom of coffins where the deceased’s backbone would rest. The djed was usually created as an amulet of stability and regenerative power. (2)

The Djed Pillar Festival was a cultic celebration of the symbol and its powers. It was held annually in Egypt and was a tremendous spiritual refreshment for the people. The priests raised the djed pillar on the first day of shemu (the harvest season on the Nile). The people then paid homage to the symbol and conducted a mock battle between good and evil. With its rich symbolism and spiritual significance, this festival was a key event in the ancient Egyptian calendar. (2)

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Picture courtesy -Jon Bodsworth (3)

The picture beside shows the raising of the Djed pillar in ancient Egypt.

This picture shows the flag hoisting ceremony in Tamil Nadu temples, which looks very similar to the Djed erection in Egyptian temples. This ceremony of Tamil Nadu temples is identical to the ceremony of Egypt. It is further evidence that the origin of South Indian culture is from ancient Egypt.

Figure 1Picture courtesy Hindu Tamil. in (4)

Amulet depicting the djed pillar, Egyptian faience, between 722 and 332 BC. Late Period. Museo Egizio, Turin.Usage as amulets

The picture beside shows a djed amulet inscribed with the name Ramesses IX of the Twentieth Dynasty.

The djed was often used as an amulet for the living and the dead. It was placed as an amulet near the spines of mummified bodies, which was supposed to ensure the resurrection of the dead, allowing the deceased to live eternally. The Book of the Dead lists a spell which, when spoken over a gold amulet hung around the mummy’s neck, ensures that the mummy would regain use of its spine and be able to sit up. It was also painted onto coffins. (1)

Frequency analysis of Mahadevan (5)

Frequency of occurrence

reading

notes

6 times

Read from right to left. Resurrection and stability – on funeral mound building day (Seventh day – god Heh) – and the Double mountain god Geb.

The idea of resurrection and stability for a dead man’s soul was emphasised on the seventh day after death.

6 times

Read from right to left. Resurrection and stability – Prayer to Rudra (Bow and arrow symbol) – Yajna

Rudra is appeased on this day for resurrection and stability.

There is also a possibility that the backbone symbol could have indicated the god Osiris. See the combination with the mountain god Geb. Osiris was the son of Geb and later acquired all the characteristics of Geb. Further to be noted is that the double mountain symbol occurs at large numbers, whereas the backbone symbol occurs at low frequency; maybe Osiris was a later god who arrived at IVC.

References

1. Wikipedia(djed). [Online] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Djed.

2. Egyptianmyths.net(Djed). [Online] http://www.egyptianmyths.net/djed.htm.

3. Bodsworth, Jon. [Online] By Jon Bodsworth – http://www.egyptarchive.co.uk/html/seti_abydos_16.html, Copyrighted free use, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6311984.

4. Hindutamil.in. [Online] https://www.hindutamil.in/news/tamilnadu/819040-anithirumanjana-flag-hoisting-ceremony-was-held-at-chidambaram-natarajar-temple.html.

5. RMRL, Mahadevan. [Online] Mahadevan, Iravatham & Roja Muthiah Research Library (2021), The Indus Script Web Application(IM77/IDF80). https://indusscript.in.