The Djed
Buildings - Builders & BuildingsThe Djed can be written
The Djed can be spoken of
The Djed is the very concept of stability
The Djed is the durability of Royalty, the Priesthood and Egypt itself
What: described as God Osiris’ backbone; and the Tamarisk Tree which enclosed him; and 4 pillars rising behind each other; and fertility pole raised at festivals
Who: the God Osiris
Why: the symbol for stability
What is it used for?
As the Djed can be written, spoken of and is the durability of Royalty, the Priesthood and Egypt itself it has several uses:
- The Djed Festival, which celebrates the success of God Osiris over his brother, the God Set – click on the link for all the information about the DJed Festival
- The Sed Festival, which is the Pharaoh’s Jubilee, which celebrates the Pharaoh and revitalises him as a living deity, to confirm the Pharaoh was still working hand in hand with the Will of the Gods and physically fit enough to rule – click on the link for all the information about the Heb Sed Festival
Written as hieroglyphs showing that the Djed were pillars holding up the sky. Repeated throughout Egypt, the Djed Hieroglyph can be seen across the lintels on buildings showing that they are supporting the canopy of the sky
Many of the Festivals have re-enactments of the fight between the God Osiris, who symbolises the force for order, and the God Set, who embodies the force for chaos. When God Osiris wins and order is restored then the Djed Pillar was raised as a symbol of triumph