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Philae -- The Temple of Isis
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The Isis temple on Philae originally faced
a neighboring island, Biga, which was reserved for the
priesthood of Osiris and was believed to be the first
land to have emerged from the primordial chaos as well as
being one of the burial places of Osiris. |
| Looking out from the temple sanctuary, or Holy
of Holies, where the goddess resides. The sanctuary was
thought to be the source of the waters of life and was
once separated from the rest of the temple by a curtain. |
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David Roberts |
The waters of life descend, represented
by the Hypostyle Hall and the plants grow,
represented by the 10 ornate pillars. |
| The second pylon shows pharoah (Neos Dionysos) offering sacrifice to
Horus and Hathor; in the smaller scenes (above) he offers a wreath to
Horus and Nephthys and incense before Osiris, Isis and Horus. |
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The first pylon (the
wall surrounding the entrance) is 18 metres high and 45
metres wide. The base stones represent the stones which
appear as the waters of life recede. The small door in the
west section of the pylon leads to the Birth House. At right
angles to the pylon is the Gate of Ptolemy. The main
portal in the center dates from Nectanebo II. |
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