Translation of the figures in the Zodiac of Denderah

From The Alpha and the Omega - Chapter One
by Jim A. Cornwell, Copyright © 1995, all rights reserved "Translation of the figures in the Zodiac of Denderah"

   This page was added on 5/31/98 and consist of contents from various other sites regarding this subject.
   The following images and some of the information can be found at "http://www.iuav.unive.it/dpa/ricerche/trevisan/dendera5.htm", also "dendera.htm" (or) "index.htm" a web site in the Italian language presented by Camillo Trevisan.
   For years I have tried to get access to the limited resources of the images and information which Mr. Trevisan provides. He presents the work from a book written by Denon "Description de l’Egypte" in 1908, which came from the Napoleon expedition to Egypt in 1798-1802 when they found the Rosetta Stone. Although as you see I have added information to those images which promote the concepts presented in this book, "The Alpha and the Omega."

To the right, Camillio
Trevisan's "Den_5b.htm,"
fig_q1.gif, Description de
l’Egypte, we can see in the image the symbols
of the twelve zodiac
signs, then the planets
(Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn),
the Moon, Sirius, Orion,
the three known constellations
of the north,
(Draco, Ursa Minor
and Ursa Major) and
the axis of the temple.
The Duck is seen on a
temple north of Esneh as

similar to the number 36 Decan or the Aquila character between Capricorn and Sagittarius.

I have added the number sequence from 1 to 36 to the image above to show a precise count of the 36 decans. The 36 characters proceed in a counter-clockwise orientation on the outer edge of the Denderah circle. These are called decans because in a circle of 360 degrees divided by 36 it equals 10, therefore deca, ten. As you can see this allows three decans per zodiac sign (every 30 degrees). E. C. Krupp states that the images around the perimeter are definitely decan stars only nobody knows which ones are which stars.
Notice that the large disk with the eight symbols inside, has been left out of the decan count, as it is very plain that this symbol is not like any of the other 36 characters (figures, animals, statues, etc.). Some claim it to be Decan stars and therefore it is one of the 36 characters around the circle of the Denderah zodiac, which every ten degrees the stars identified by the glyph is reactive.

In the book by Denon "Descriptions de l’Egypte", it states that the symbol and line drawing show that in the circle are eight men on their knees, with their heads chopped off, and their arms tied behind their backs, possibly representing the world of the enemies (as the classic image of foreign enemies) to the Egyptians. The image to the right is found on the temple north of Esneh (see Trevisan, Figure 2 - file "Den_2.htm") Descriptions de l’Egypte," vol. I, pl. 87. It appears to be different from the eight characters in the large disk of the Zodiac of Denderah.

The eight captives inside the large disk represent eight (actually 9 but traditionally seen as being 8) that could form the left-hand half of Capricornus. These figures do stand for the glyphic symbol of enemies or wickedness. These are Decan stars and the glyphs say Sa-r-a or a-r-sa, the figure to the right is also named sa-r-a (possible an indicator of epithet, title or a piece of time).

   These stars can be easily identified since the experts have identified all the planets elsewhere within the circle. The only major constellation below and between Capricornus and Aquarius is Piscis Austrinus.
   If the Eight figured star is indicative of Fomalhaut, the Egyptian connection is not noticeable for me.
   Piscis Austrinus, The Southern Fish, appears on the Meridian on October 10. It has been occasionally shown as two fish, but it is more commonly seen as a single fish, sometimes drinking from a stream of water poured from the jar held by Aquarius, which lies just north of it. An older, but incorrect, form of its name is Piscis Australis. The Sumerians called this Enki’s Fish.
    To see more on the possible meaning of the circle with the eight figures then view Capricornus Star Chart.

The Grand Temple of Denderah

The image above came from Figure 5c. Description de l'Egypte, vol. IV, pl. 21, Denderah. The red-letter commentary is emphasized by myself to define some of the aspects of the image. The whole point is to propose the concept that the circle with eight figures marks the beginning with Capricorn and continues in a counter-clockwise rotation with the 36 decans and ends at Aquarius.

To confirm this concept lets continue with other images which are to follow.
The image below came from "Den_4a.htm" Figure 4a. Description de l'Egypte, vol. IV, pl. 20, Dendera, the first part of a zodiac sculpture from the portico of the grand temple. The image is quite long, scroll to the right to see it if necessary. Notice that it shows in the lower left corner the head of the Egyptian female aspect who transcends across the image in a semi-circular concept.

The following shows the above image left side only enlarged to better view the details. As you can see it begins with:

Capricorn

Sagittarius

Scorpio

Now for the right side of the image ...

Libra (Scales)

Virgo

Leo and Coma Berenices

The next image came from "Den_4b.htm" Figure 4b. Description de l'Egypte, vol. IV, pl. 20, Dendera, the second part of a zodiac sculpture from the portico of the grand temple. Scroll to the right to see its entirety also. Notice that it shows in the lower right corner the head of the Egyptian male aspect who transcends across the image in a semi-circular concept.
If you take the first and second part images and put them together with the heads of the male and female on the same end this closes the images into a circular pattern and mates the sky with the earth.

The following shows the above image left side only enlarged to better view the details. As you can see it begins with:

Cancer (Scarab Beetle)

Sirius and Orion

Gemini

Taurus

Now for the right side of the image ...

Aries (Ram)

Moon (Luna)

Pisces

Aquarius

If you are interested in a continuation of this subject then click on the following link for the
New release of Volume III Volume III Online Access - Denderah Zodiac, Grand Temple, Esneh Connections

This file last updated on June 9, 2003.

Return to Drawing of the Zodiac of Denderah Return to Table of Contents - Chapter One