The Djed Pillar:
by Djedetmiwesir © 2001- 2005
( revised 11.28.02 )

The Djed Pillar. (Greek "Tat")

"Djed" is an ancient Kemetic word meaning; Enduring/stable. it is represented
Heiroglyphically in the same way it actually appears, a tall broad pillar or column with
four shorter flat horizontal arms or branches. Sometimes called the "Back bone of Wesir"
The symbol represents the endurance and stability of Wesir, and Kingship.

As an amulet the Djed pillar is protective in nature, bringing stability to it's owner. To
Offer an image or amulet of a Djed pillar to a god was to ask them to provide you with
endurance and or stability. As a funerary amulet the Djed pillar (usually made of gold) was placed at the throat, where it provided it's recipient the power of Wesir's backbone, However, The Djed can also be found several times over on the same mummy, in various places along the lower torso.

The Djed pillar is a sort of "world support." as it seems to hold up the sky, and
ensure that there is always space, for air and things to grow in-between earth and sky. and thereby the Djed, Established by the king establishes himself in a symbolic act of world domination.

Djed pillars supporting a ceiling, Symbolic of supporting the sky (Myth and Symbol in Ancient Egypt. R.T. Rundle Clark)

The Djed probably originates from lay person or Folk tradition, and may have been a
representative of a Tree after harvest with all of it's limbs and foliage removed, or as a
Corn husk that was raised during a harvest ceremony. Indeed, Wesir has many affiliations with Trees, several breeds being sacred to him. However the exact Origin of the Djed pillar remains in dispute and it's symbology can be interpreted in various examples, such as: An altar from a Predynastic sanctuary, Four altars in a row, or a visual concept like the four reigns of the Egyptian world - (Libya, Nubia, Middle Mediterranean )

The first evidence of the Djed pillar Dates back to the 3rd Dynasty (2600 BC) placing it's known existence before the first imagry of Wesir (Fifth dynasty). In this first representation it appears as an architectural and decorative pillar in the Hebsed Court of the Step Pyramid enclosure at Saqqara. It's earliest found use as an amulet dates to the old kingdom, nearly 500 years later. The Djed was first Attributed to Sokar ( another aspect of Wesir) and Ptah (the Creator god of Memphis who also served as Wesir does in the land of the dead.) Ptah, Sokar and Wesir are closely related and even come together in a composite god "Ptah-Sokar-Wesir"

The Djed pillar was later embellished, (Fig B, C)linking it even closer with Wesir, and making it distinct from the Djed of Ptah. Temple reliefs show the Djed wearing an Atef crown of Wesir and with arms holding the crook and flail. Some Djed pillars take on the physical form of Wesir, or replace his head. While others contain a set of Eyes that seem to personify the owner in his symbology.

The "Raising of the Djed Pillar" (Fig D) was a crucial ceremony, which was practiced in cities suchas Memphis (Het-ka-ptah for Ptah), Djedu (Busiris, which name means Djed pillar in the plural). While the ceremony honored the Establishment and everlastingness of Wesir in the Amenti, after overcoming death at the hands of his brother Set. It also coincided with the Coronation ceremony of Wesir's Heir, Heru-sa-aset. The myth of Wesir's murder seems to have one, of many underlying lessons, one of which is: What should happen when a king dies unexpectedly. The Myth of Wesir leaving his son the Heir to his kingdom established the way Kings rose to power in ancient Kemet. Just as kings were The Living Heru when they Lived, They also related themselves very closely with Wesir in Death. In addition to the Honor it paid To Wesir and Heru, it also was a rejuvenation for the pharaoh.

When Pharaoh incorporated symbology of the‘Djed’ he reaped the benefits of all it's representations, Establishing himself as "a world support," and Endurance and strength, in his rule. During the ceremony a Djed pillar made of wood and guilded with gold, was raised from a lying position (as a deceased person lays) to a standing position by the king. The ritual is closely similar to the ritual performed on Wesir's temple statue, Both are given offerings and clothing.

one of two Ivory Amulets, (Fig E. pictured at left) Were found in Helwan, (near Memphis and modern Cairo). There many Elite but Non-Regal tombs have been found. The Book from which this picture was scanned indicates these may possibly be early representations of the Djed pillar.

"These pieces, symbols of Osiris as a fertility god, are shaped like cypress trees, with straight trunks and branches tied together in layers."
:: The Excavations at Helwan: Art and Civilization in the First and Second Dynasties_ by Zaki Y. Saad, 1969. ::

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