The vibrant astronomical ceiling of the Hypostyle Hall, at Dendera Temple, Egypt.

Temple of Hathor was originally built in 2250 BC, but the present structure belongs to the Ptolemaic or Greco-Roman period. The eight feet square sandstone ceiling panel from 50 BC, is reputed to be the world’s first horoscope. It charts the movement of the stars and depicts the zodiac constellations quite like we do today. And it comes replete with theories of encoded messages and ‘end of world’ prophecies.

The ceiling is a symbolic representation of the heavens, featuring the waxing and waning of the moon as it travels across the heavens in the barque of Re. Jackals and birds accompany Re’s barque. This scene is from the east side of the temple and features snakes and various gods including, the falcon god Horus, the ibis headed god Thoth, Hathor and Sekhmet (also Sachmet, Sakmet, Sakhet, Sekmet, Sakhmet, Sekhet, Sachmis), the lion goddess of war and destruction. Dedicated to Hathor, goddess of love, beauty, music and motherhood, the main temple dates from the Graeco-Roman era although a temple stood on the site during the Old Kingdom.

🎥© how2egypt (IG)

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