tWO EXAMPLES OF SYMBOLISM. 2) 



band which allows the deep slit characteristic of aquatic plants 

 to be clearly visible." " This motif," they continue, "had 

 peculiar value in the eyes of the Egyptians, and its persistence 

 may be accounted for by the association of the lotus with ideas 

 of a new birth and resurrection." 



Its primary form (Fig. 14) is well seen in a drawing by Prof. 

 Petrie,* and its full significance is shown in the illuminated 

 Book of the Dead, which contains formulae to enable you " to 

 live when you are dead and to come forth with the day."f 



In these pictures we see the soul of the deceased (Fig. 15), 

 and before him is a stand, or table, on which food is placed. 

 Always nutriment was essential, and by a suitable formula cake 

 and wine, wheat and barley, were to be provided ; and always 

 the flower of the lotus, resting on the dead man's food and 

 directed to the dead man's face, was a pledge to him of life and 

 strength (Fig. 16). Even the prow of the mummy-boat some- 

 times took this form (Fig. 17), and presented the same aspect to 

 the embalmed body. 



The efficient portion of the inflorescence, its " business end," 

 so to speak, was constituted by the line which joined the tips of 

 the petals ; and thus was originated the famous amulet, which 

 has been conveniently called the palmette. It has been found 

 (Fig. 1 8), made of enamel, of a period 3,000 years B.C. (Goodyear). 

 Before religion there was magic. Man ever desired to 

 influence events that were beyond his control. At first this 

 was done by magical acts and devices ; and, when divine rulers 

 came to be recognised, it was accomplished by sacrificial 

 worship, but at last by invocation alone. And no events are so 

 utterly beyond human control as those that happen after death 

 in the underworld. 



Sculptured in stone on a Mycenaean tomb (Fig. 19) we see an 

 attempt to escape the dangers of that perilous passage. At first 

 we are reminded of the story of Mithras, who, borne by the Sun 



* Egyp. Dec. Art., p. 62. 

 t Davis, p. 60, 61. 



