The Djed Pillar – Backbone of Osiris
The djed pillar was a symbol for strength and stability. The most popular epithet of the djed pillar, the backbone of Osiris, was not used until later in ancient Egyptian history. Instead, it was originally associated with the god Ptah, the patron god of Memphis. Like Osiris, Ptah was a mummiform god. He stood, wrapped in linen, much as a mummy did for the Opening of the Mouth ceremony (http://www.crystalinks.com/djed.html). Another deity associated with the djed was Sokar, who was associated with Ptah and was himself an underworld god (http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/sokar.htm). Later, Ptah, Sokar and Osiris became a composite god, Ptah-Sokar-Wesir (http://www.wesir.org/dje.htm).
The djed pillar is known by many different names, including the djed column, Tet, Tet column or Tet pillar. It is a tall pillar-shaped amulet with four cross bars at the top (http://www.crystalinks.com/djed.html). Many have speculated about what object the djed pillar could represent. Some say it is a stripped cedar tree, the pole to which grain was tied to dry after harvest, or even a stylized corn stalk. Another theory is that the djed pillar is actually four pillars arranged one in front of the other, symbolizing the four pillars to help Shu hold the sky on his shoulders. The most popular theory is the djed represents a backbone, specifically, the backbone of Osiris (http://www.ancientegyptonline.co.uk/djed.html).
The following myth gives way to another interpretation of a powerful amulet that was worn throughout the history of ancient Egypt.
The ancient Egyptian myths tell of the reign of Osiris and his brother, Seth’s, jealousy over the fact that Osiris was such a great ruler. Seth, being a trickster, found a way to murder Osiris. He had an elegant sarcophagus carved to Osiris’ proportions and tricked his brother to lie in the coffin. Once lying in the sarcophagus, Seth shut the sarcophagus, trapping Osiris inside. Seth took the sarcophagus to the Nile and threw it in the water, believing he had rid himself of his brother for good. Distraught, Osiris’ sister-wife, Isis, searched for the sarcophagus, but it had washed into the branches of a tree in Syria. The tree’s branches grew around the sarcophagus, sealing Osiris inside its trunk. Soon, the tree grew large and beautiful, so beautiful, in fact, that the king and queen of Syria came from their palace to view the magnificent tree. Upon seeing the gorgeous tree, the king ordered that he would have the tree as a pillar to brace his roof. The tree was cut down with Osiris still inside and taken to the palace of the king. There, a grand pillar was carved from the tree’s trunk. Isis soon discovered the whereabouts of her husband’s body and came to the palace disguised as a simple woman willing to care for children. The queen, mother to one healthy boy and one ailing, agreed to allow Isis to tend her sons. Soon, the ailing son was strong and well, despite Isis giving him nothing but her finger to suck. While this miracle was far from unwelcome, the queen was suspicious of Isis and spied upon her one night. She saw Isis, who had grown fond of the young boy, apparently place him in the roaring fire. Stunned, the queen ran into the room with a shout to save her baby, but she broke Isis’ spell. Isis had been trying to make the baby immortal, but with the queen’s interference, it would never be so. Isis, in her true deity form, stood before the cowering queen. Isis requested of the king and queen that she be given the magnificent pillar, which they willingly granted her. Isis took the pillar, still hiding Osiris’ body, back to Egypt (http://www.egyptianmyths.net/mythisis.htm).
The djed pillar represented many things to the ancient Egyptians and it was one of the most famous amulets throughout ancient Egyptian history. It was a symbol for strength and perserverance, but what may have led to its intense popularity may have been its association with the god of the afterlife, Osiris.
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Great website, I am a follower of the God Sokar, Fantastic information
you just got yourself a place in my bookmarks