203.—L.D. III. 8.
204.—P. [72].
One of the most perfect and beautiful examples of the winged disc is on the temple of Tahutmes III., but it continued to be used down to the latest times of Egyptian architecture as a lintel decoration.
In the XIXth dynasty an addition to the symbolism appears; the horns of a ram are added to the wings; sometimes without the uraei (Ramessu I., L.D. III. 131), sometimes with the uraei (Ramessu II., L.D. III. 204). These rams’ horns can hardly be other than those of the ram-headed god Khnum, “the maker” or “modeller” of men. The idea then of the wings and horns is that Ra makes as well as protects; and where the uraeus is added it implies that Ra is creator, preserver, and destroyer.
The vulture alone as the emblem of protection is frequently figured with outstretched wings across the ceilings of the passages, particularly those of the royal tombs of the XIXth dynasty. There is perhaps no sight in the animal world more imposing than one of these birds, stretched out with a span of some nine or ten feet, hanging in the air close overhead; it is natural that it should have excited the admiration of man, and not being hurtful it readily came to be honoured as a type of maternal care.
205.—P. [81].
206.—L.D. III. 235.