The crook and the flail
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The crook and the flail are objects closely associated with a ruler’s power in Ancient Egyptian times. Seen together in the possession of the king, the two items symbolise power and responsibility. In representing the two of the functions of the king it is said the crook stands for the shepherd, the carer of the people, while the flail symbolises the punishments deemed necessary to sustain society (Dollinger,2014). More specifically:
The Crook
· In Ancient Egypt was called “heka”
· It was in the shape shepherd’s crook, a cane with a hooked handle made with limestone sometimes gold-plated and reinforced with blue copper bands
· It represents power and was shortened and held by the pharaohs, generally with the flail (Dollinger,2014)
The Flail (or “flabellum”)
· In Ancient Egypt was called “nekhakha”
· Consisted of a short handle with three beaded strands or flyers attached to it
· Was a symbol of royal power
· Appeared by itself in some of the earliest ceremonies
· Some people believe the flail came from the herdsman’s whip, a farming tool for beating grain, a fly whisk or a hairy animal tail whilst others argue it was made from gummy substance extracted from a citrus plant (Dollinger,2014)
The Crook
· In Ancient Egypt was called “heka”
· It was in the shape shepherd’s crook, a cane with a hooked handle made with limestone sometimes gold-plated and reinforced with blue copper bands
· It represents power and was shortened and held by the pharaohs, generally with the flail (Dollinger,2014)
The Flail (or “flabellum”)
· In Ancient Egypt was called “nekhakha”
· Consisted of a short handle with three beaded strands or flyers attached to it
· Was a symbol of royal power
· Appeared by itself in some of the earliest ceremonies
· Some people believe the flail came from the herdsman’s whip, a farming tool for beating grain, a fly whisk or a hairy animal tail whilst others argue it was made from gummy substance extracted from a citrus plant (Dollinger,2014)
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The Crook and Flail
· The crook and the flail were considered an essential part of the king’s royal items and adornment and were believed to be carried at the coronation ceremony and other significant events that demonstrated the power of the king
· They were depicted in artefacts as not only being used by kings and pharaohs but also gods, including Anedjit, Osiris, Horus,Khonus, Min and Anubis and were held across their chests
· It has been said that after the king took possession of the crook and flail they remained with him all his life and even in beyond
· The crook and flail are often symbols or emblems of the god of the dead/underworld and the first king of Egypt, Osiris. Osiris had risen from the dead and it is thought that commoners used the crook and flail as a way in death of strengthening their chances of eternal life.
Many examples have survived from Ancient Egypt and the crook and flail have been depicted in wall reliefs, paintings and papyrus (Dunn, 2014)
· The crook and the flail were considered an essential part of the king’s royal items and adornment and were believed to be carried at the coronation ceremony and other significant events that demonstrated the power of the king
· They were depicted in artefacts as not only being used by kings and pharaohs but also gods, including Anedjit, Osiris, Horus,Khonus, Min and Anubis and were held across their chests
· It has been said that after the king took possession of the crook and flail they remained with him all his life and even in beyond
· The crook and flail are often symbols or emblems of the god of the dead/underworld and the first king of Egypt, Osiris. Osiris had risen from the dead and it is thought that commoners used the crook and flail as a way in death of strengthening their chances of eternal life.
Many examples have survived from Ancient Egypt and the crook and flail have been depicted in wall reliefs, paintings and papyrus (Dunn, 2014)
By Olivia Robinson 7.2