Description
Framed design
The design is shown on 14 count Aida fabric, but you may also use evenweave or fabric with a different count. Grid Size:15.7″ x 15.7″ (220 x 220 stitches) Design Area: 14.3”x 14.3” (200x200stitches)
Techniques
Stitches required: Backstitch. Single thread for all the design. 2 skeins of black thread are needed to complete the design.
Iconography
Disclaimer: The artistic choice of assigning deities, creatures, and other elements to specific places within the design is based on creative interpretation and imagination, drawing inspiration from ancient Greek mythology and symbolism. The selection and placement of these elements are not historically or mythologically prescribed but rather a result of artistic expression.
Explore the Egyptian Mythos Mandala, an intricately stitched tapestry that delves into the heart of ancient Egypt’s rich mythology, weaving each story stitch by stitch. Our design is adorned with ornamental frames, featuring infinite spirals, sacred scarab beetles, papyrus plants, graceful feathers, and intertwining snakes, all inspired by Egypt’s rich artistic heritage. The names of deities and creatures are inscribed in authentic ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs, making this piece truly unique.
At its center, Ra commands his Solar Barque, the ‘Boat of a Million Years,’ symbolizing his daily triumph over Apophis, the embodiment of chaos. This central scene encapsulates the eternal cycle of day and night, renewal, and hope.
In the Day Clock Circle, each day features a unique symbol. Monday welcomes the Sphinx, Tuesday brings the Serpopard, Wednesday is guarded by Aker, and Thursday is protected by the Uraeus. En-Naddaha graces Friday, while Saturday welcomes Abtu, and Sunday shines with the Griffin.
Embark on a journey to the cardinal points circle, where you’ll encounter the most iconic Egyptian deities, like Anubis with his jackal head guarding the North and the feline form of Bastet reigning over the Southwest. These gods are familiar companions for those who love Egyptian myths, guiding you through the week.
The outer clock face circle showcases 12 prominent Egyptian gods, each thoughtfully placed to mark the hours of the day. From Atum, the creator god, greeting the daybreak to Horus, the guardian of the night skies, these primordial deities guide you through the day with their unique and symbolic presence.
This design, carefully crafted and researched by a certified artist, invites you to bring these captivating mythic deities to life through your own stitching. This isn’t just a craft; it’s a meaningful journey into the world of Egyptian mythology, all from the comfort of your own hands.
BOAT OF AGES
At the heart of this embroidery design lies the timeless narrative of Ra, the sun god, sailing through the celestial expanse in his revered solar barque. The Eye of Ra, associated with the sun and good luck, gleams behind him as he continues his journey toward the Eye of Horus, associated with the moon and protection. In his hand, Ra holds the Ankh, a symbol of life. Perched on the stern of the boat is the sacred Ba bird, a herald of the approaching sun, proclaiming the triumphant return of light. Overhead, the radiant sun disk, its rays personified as serpents, bestows the life-giving energy of Ra upon the world.
Each night, Ra engages in a fierce battle against the malevolent serpent Apophis, the embodiment of chaos, concealed in the primordial darkness. Yet, Ra consistently emerges triumphant, marking the dawn of a new day.
In the background, the distant Giza pyramids evoke the timeless mysteries of Egypt. The names of the Solar Barque and Ra are rendered in Egyptian hieroglyphs.
The”‘Boat of a Million Years” stands as a symbol of the eternal cycle of night and day, creation, and rebirth, a testament to the enduring strength of Ra.
7 DAYS OF THE WEEK
MONDAY – SPHINX
Sphinxes, often portrayed with the body of a lion and the head of a human, are renowned for their association with riddles and enigmas. Welcoming the week with a Sphinx as the symbol epitomizes the puzzles and inquiries that often accompany the beginning of our weekly endeavors.
TUESDAY – SEPOPARD
The Serpopard, a fantastic creature merging the forms of a serpent and a leopard, epitomizes adaptability and an open-minded perspective. These attributes make it an ideal emblem for Tuesday, a day destined for embracing novel ideas and experiences.
WEDNESDAY – AKER
Aker, the formidable double-headed guardian, keeps a vigilant watch over both labor and reprieve. The placement of Aker on Wednesday ensures you have a protective guide as you navigate the challenges that typically punctuate midweek.
THURSDAY – URAEUS
Uraeus, a symbol of authority and protection depicted as a rearing cobra, signifies the determination needed to navigate through the workweek. Its placement aligns seamlessly with the anticipation of the upcoming weekend and the endurance required to reach it.
FRIDAY – EN-NADDAHA
As the week comes to an end, people seek relaxation and social interactions. En-Naddaha, a captivating nayad creature with mesmerizing qualities, symbolizes the grace of Friday night. Her enchanting aura enhances the peaceful atmosphere, making it a perfect time to unwind and enjoy the company of friends or simply find solace in the tranquil beauty of the evening.
SATURDAY – ABTU
Abtu is symbolically represented as the sacred fish, symbolizing the transformation of the goddess Isis into this form. This symbolism aligns perfectly with Saturday, a day when we seek to transform the stresses and strains of the workweek into a sense of inner peace and balance. Just as Abtu’s transformation from a fish signifies a deeper metamorphosis, Saturday allows us to rejuvenate and prepare for the upcoming week, finding harmony between work and leisure.
SUNDAY – GRIFFIN
The Griffin, a majestic hybrid creature uniting the characteristics of an eagle and a lion, is aligned with Sunday, marking the commencement of a new week. Just as this fantastical creature combines the qualities of two powerful beasts, Sunday calls for gathering mental and physical strength to face the upcoming week with determination and vigor.
CARDINAL POINTS
NORTH – ANUBIS
Anubis, with the head of a jackal, guards the North, symbolizing the afterlife and transition. In ancient Egypt, the North was associated with the direction of death and burial, making Anubis the perfect guardian of this realm.
NORTHEAST – HATHOR
Hathor, represented with cow’s ears or as a cow, watches over the Northeast, a direction symbolizing new beginnings. She embodies love, beauty, and motherhood, qualities closely tied to the optimism of fresh starts.
EAST – TAWERET
Taweret, a protective goddess depicted as a pregnant hippopotamus, occupies the East, signifying the direction of birth and growth. Her nurturing qualities resonate with the promise of new life and motherly care.
SOUTHEAST – SOBEK
Sobek, often shown with a crocodile head, presides over the Southeast, reflecting the power of the Nile and fertility. The Southeast signifies the vitality of life, fitting for a god associated with the great river’s abundance.
SOUTH – BES
Bes, the dwarf god with a lion’s mane, and a leopard’s skin around his neck, stands guard in the South, signifying protection and courage. The South was connected to courage and defense in Egyptian symbolism, and Bes embodies these qualities.
SOUTHWEST – BASTET
Bastet, known for her feline form, reigns over the Southwest, the realm of enigma and mystery. This goddess represents the essence of a transitive nature, mirroring the hidden facets of the Southwest.
WEST – SEKHMET
Sekhmet, the lioness-headed goddess, governs the West, symbolizing closure and endings. Her dual nature, associated with both destruction and healing, harmonizes with the West’s role as the end of the day.
NORTHWEST – THOTH
Thoth, often depicted with the head of an ibis, is placed in the Northwest, associated with wisdom and knowledge. This direction aligns with the pursuit of wisdom and learning, making it a suitable abode for the god of knowledge.
CLOCKFACE
ATUM (12 o’clock)
Atum, the creator god, is placed at midnight to symbolize the moment of creation, where all is in darkness and the potential for new beginnings is at its highest.
SHU (1 o’clock)
Shu, the god of air, is positioned in the early afternoon to symbolize the time when the air is warm and gentle.
TEFNUT (2 o’clock)
Tefnut, the goddess of moisture, signifies the time when moisture collects, akin to the early hours of the morning when dew forms.
GEB (3 o’clock)
Geb, the god of the earth, represents the earth beneath our feet in the late afternoon when the ground is warm.
NUT (4 o’clock),
Nut, the goddess of the sky, marks the late afternoon, as the sky starts to transition to evening colors.
OSIRIS (5 o’clock)
Osiris, linked to resurrection, represents the dawn when the world awakens from the night’s slumber.
ISIS (6 o’clock)
Isis, associated with healing and magic, signifies the early morning, a time for rejuvenation and renewal, much like the morning sun.
NEPHTYS (7 o’clock)
Nephthys, sister of Isis, symbolizes the evening when the world prepares to rest.
SET (8 o’clock)
Set, the god of chaos, is placed at the beginning of the night when the forces of chaos may seem most prominent.
KHONSU (9 o’clock)
Khonsu, the moon god, signifies the moon’s appearance, a prominent feature in the night sky.
PTAH (10 o’clock),
Ptah, the god of craftsmen, represents the mid-morning when craftsmanship and creativity are often at their peak.
HORUS (10 o’clock),
Horus, the god of the sky, signifies the late morning, when the sun is high in the sky, offering protection and clarity.
Digital cross stitch / blackwork pattern
No physical items will be shipped. A PDF pattern will be emailed to you within 1 working day.
No fabric, floss, or other materials are included in the listing. The finished embroidery shown in the photos is for demonstration purposes only.
