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Symbol & Magic in Egyptian Art
There is scarcely an Egyptian temple, pyramid, obelisk, wall painting, or sculpture that does not possess some hidden meaning--meaning that can only be understood by reference to the fundamental symbolic code used by ancient Egyptians. Symbol and Magic in Egyptian Art reveals the language of this ancient code, which endured for thousands of years. Its formulae include the symbolism of shape and size, the significance of location, color symbolism, the magical meaning of numbers, hieroglyphic signs, and the language of the body. This authoritative guide, the first-ever thematic treatment of this aspect of Egyptian art, will appeal to the art lover, traveler, Egyptophile, and anyone fascinated by the mysteries of the ancient symbols.
140 pages, Paperback
First published March 1, 1993
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
October 2, 2015
Many may read this book for its artistic input. There is no doubt that Mr. Wilkinson provides numerous examples of the talent and imagination of Egyptian artists. Color was used in vivid detail, but it was also used symbolically.
However, the Egyptians were experts in portraying plurality, duality and unity. Gold was believed to be a divine metal, since it did not tarnish and was the color of the sun. The only iron naturally available in ancient Egypt came from meteorites. Therefore, it was deemed the metal of heaven and was used accordingly. Lead was used in magical and symbolic objects.
The location and placement of temples was key. The twin towers at Luxor were oriented toward the east, toward the rising sun. The motifs depicting the upper and lower kingdoms were traditionally located toward the north and south doorways.
At times, the pharaoh was depicted with odd-looking proportions. These were possibly due to the era, but might also have been meant to embrace his female and male aspects as the one true god. Sometimes, the legs of a statue of a seated pharaoh were greatly exaggerated in an attempt to make the king appear more ponderous and barbaric.
Although I wish there could have been more color photographs in this book, it is nevertheless and excellent resource in understanding a little more about the culture of ancient Egypt.
However, the Egyptians were experts in portraying plurality, duality and unity. Gold was believed to be a divine metal, since it did not tarnish and was the color of the sun. The only iron naturally available in ancient Egypt came from meteorites. Therefore, it was deemed the metal of heaven and was used accordingly. Lead was used in magical and symbolic objects.
The location and placement of temples was key. The twin towers at Luxor were oriented toward the east, toward the rising sun. The motifs depicting the upper and lower kingdoms were traditionally located toward the north and south doorways.
At times, the pharaoh was depicted with odd-looking proportions. These were possibly due to the era, but might also have been meant to embrace his female and male aspects as the one true god. Sometimes, the legs of a statue of a seated pharaoh were greatly exaggerated in an attempt to make the king appear more ponderous and barbaric.
Although I wish there could have been more color photographs in this book, it is nevertheless and excellent resource in understanding a little more about the culture of ancient Egypt.
May 23, 2013
Nothing else in this area brings together so much about symbolism, use of materials, colors, and language the way this book does. It's a real treasure of a book on Egypt and the meanings conveyed in Egyptian art.
October 21, 2023
Symbolism in ancient Egypt is a huge topic. Wilkinson's previous book, Reading Egyptian Art, lists specific symbols found in art, whereas this one discusses the principles behind Egyptian symbolism. Most of the book is divided into chapters about types of symbolism and how the Egyptians used each: symbolism of form, size, location, materials, color, numbers, hieroglyphs, actions, and gestures. It treats each one extensively, if not quite comprehensively. Wilkinson also touches on the broader nature of symbolism and how dizzyingly difficult to interpret it can sometimes be. It quotes Barry Kemp as pointing out that if we could ask the Egyptians if a particular symbolic interpretation is correct, they might say yes or no, or they might say "We hadn't thought of that before, but it's true none the less."
Despite the title, the book says little about magic, although the introduction does say the Egyptians believed that "by acting out or depicting a situation… the desired result would be accomplished". Thus, symbolism truly was magic to the Egyptians. For more detail on the magical aspect of symbolism you'll have to consult Magic in Ancient Egypt: Revised Edition, Egyptian Magic: The Quest for Thoth’s Book of Secrets, or for the hard-core theoretical background, The Mechanics of Ancient Egyptian Magical Practice.
For guides to the individual symbols the Egyptians used, Reading Egyptian Art, An Illustrated Dictionary of the Gods and Symbols of Ancient Egypt, and Myth and Symbol in Ancient Egypt all list some of the most important motifs.
Despite the title, the book says little about magic, although the introduction does say the Egyptians believed that "by acting out or depicting a situation… the desired result would be accomplished". Thus, symbolism truly was magic to the Egyptians. For more detail on the magical aspect of symbolism you'll have to consult Magic in Ancient Egypt: Revised Edition, Egyptian Magic: The Quest for Thoth’s Book of Secrets, or for the hard-core theoretical background, The Mechanics of Ancient Egyptian Magical Practice.
For guides to the individual symbols the Egyptians used, Reading Egyptian Art, An Illustrated Dictionary of the Gods and Symbols of Ancient Egypt, and Myth and Symbol in Ancient Egypt all list some of the most important motifs.
May 22, 2025
Essential for anyone interested in Egypt and the deeper meanings encoded in its art and architecture. This book delves into the symbolic system that underpinned Egyptian visual culture, where every gesture, color, proportion, and form served a magical or theological function.
Wilkinson writes with precision and clarity, making complex concepts approachable without oversimplifying. He demonstrates systematically how art was not merely decorative in the ancient Egyptian worldview, but was infused with sacred intent. The organization of the book (exploring symbolism in composition, color, material, proportion, and ritual use) is methodical and highly readable, with excellent supporting illustrations. He successfully bridges art history, religious studies, and Egyptology, revealing a cohesive worldview where visual expression and metaphysical belief were inseparable. For artists, scholars, spiritual seekers, and lovers of ancient cultures, this book is both a reference and an inspiration.
Wilkinson writes with precision and clarity, making complex concepts approachable without oversimplifying. He demonstrates systematically how art was not merely decorative in the ancient Egyptian worldview, but was infused with sacred intent. The organization of the book (exploring symbolism in composition, color, material, proportion, and ritual use) is methodical and highly readable, with excellent supporting illustrations. He successfully bridges art history, religious studies, and Egyptology, revealing a cohesive worldview where visual expression and metaphysical belief were inseparable. For artists, scholars, spiritual seekers, and lovers of ancient cultures, this book is both a reference and an inspiration.
January 31, 2020
This book was both informative and entertaining - a bit of a rarity amongst art history books. It is an excellent resource for anyone interested in ancient Egyptian art, artifacts, culture, and history.
February 8, 2020
I am a dilettante studying hieroglyphs, and this book is a fascinating must-read. It documents in art and text how the unique properties of the ancient Egyptian writing system create religious associations. It demonstrates the visual rebuses in Egyptian art, and documents how those same associations were projected onto the material world.
No wonder then that, even after inventing cursive writing, Egyptians kept hieroglyphs in their original form for over 3,000 years.
No wonder then that, even after inventing cursive writing, Egyptians kept hieroglyphs in their original form for over 3,000 years.
March 25, 2021
El mejor libro de arte egipcio leído hasta el momento. Todo ultra bien documentado y muy interesante y bien explicado. Fatal traducido, plagado de comas entre sujeto y verbo, eso sí.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews