PROCESSIONS OF THE PRIESTS OF THE EASTERN STAIRCASE AT EDFU TEMPLE

Abstract

This study examines processions of the priests depicted on both sides of the eastern staircase of Edfu Temple by detailing their iconographies, names, roles, and ranks at the time of the New Year festival. It aims to clarify the similarities and differences between the processional activities on both sides to understand the ritual events that took place in this staircase. The same priests completed their ritual duties on the western descaling staircase, returning to the crypt. The priestly ritual activities performed in the ascending staircase include: Opening the way to the heaven and defeating the threatening enemies, Presenting cloths such as coloured linens, Burning and providing the aromatic ointments, Performing simultaneously the libations and the censing, Carrying the portable chapels of Hathor and Horus. The study declared that the roles and regulations ordering the priests on New Year’s Day are differed, both in their ascending and descending from Dandera Temple.

Keywords

• edfu temple
• eastern stairway
• new year’s day
• priests