I've quoted you several experts that support the protection aspect, including Prof Richard Wilkinson who is probably the foremost expert on Egyptian symbolism, also the British Musem Dictionary of Ancient Egypt defines this aspect, and even the quote you posted supports this "protected encircled world". I think its slightly strange that you seem to be implying that its only my book that supports this aspect? That's not the case at all. I am at a loss to why you would maintain that it is not a significant aspect unless you have decided for youself that this is the case.

If you don't accept that then that's fine, you are entitled to your opinion. I am afraid I don't have time to discuss this further at this stage as I am organising fieldwork starting on Tuesday.

Cheers.
Dave,

"“Shen: Hieroglyphic symbol depicting a circle or ring of rope folded and knotted at the bottom; since the circle effectively had no end, it came to denote infinity. When the Shen sign was depicted encircling the sun, it appears to have symbolized the eternity of the universe. This property of encirclement was extended to denote protection as well as eternity, making the sign doubly potent.........is particularly associated with Horus the falcon or Nekhbet the vulture who hold the sign in their claws above the king, offering him eternal protection......." (British Museum Dictionary of Ancient Egypt 1995: 267)



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/12/2011 12:45PM by Dave L.