JI WEI LIAN 纪玮莲: Creation, Rebirth and Cosmic Order
Introduction
If one has the time or inclination to consider the past, then one might look at the Great Pyramid of Giza. Its construction began around 2580 BCE. This marked the beginning of the Old Kingdom which is referred to as the "Age of Pyramids". That was roughly 4600 years ago from the year 2026.
Yet, the Old Kingdom had begun with the Third Dynasty (2686 to 2613 BCE). The closeness of the celestial north pole to Thuban (Alpha Draconis) around 2700 BCE was an important marker in terms of navigation and celestial observation at the start of the Third Dynasty. Actually, Thuban had been well-positioned as the pole star since 3900 BCE and until 1800 BCE. Its association with stability and permanence would have resonated with the ancient Egyptians during this time.
The year 2700 BCE, metaphorically and metaphysically marked the beginning of the Third Dynasty. Thuban's close proximity to the the celestial north pole symbolized a direct connection between the heavens and the earthly realm. It bestowed divine endorsement upon pharaohs, reinforcing their authority.
The stability represented by Thuban's position also reflected the ideals of order and harmony in ancient Egyptian society. The pharaohs were viewed as the earthly embodiment of cosmic order. This celestial association reinforced their role establishing balance in both the physical and metaphysical realms.
The monumental architecture of the Third Dynasty can be seen as a reflection of this celestial influence. For example, the Six-Step Pyramid of Djoser marks a significant transition from traditional mastaba tombs to more monumental structures. In traditional mastabas the burial chamber could be located just below the flat roof. However, in the Step Pyramid, the burial chamber is situated deep within the pyramid beneath the surface level.
The author interprets this design to be figuratively a Seven-Step Pyramid. The pharaoh is buried deep beneath the ground. His first step therefore is rebirth. Each step taken upward can be viewed as a progression towards ascension and unity with the divine . The step-like architecture laid the groundwork for the Great Pyramid's point, since it was interpreted as reaching toward the heavens and the indestructible star Thuban.
The reader might be surprised to learn that the Great Pyramid of Giza has eight layers or steps. In a geometric series, each term after the first is found by multiplying the previous term by a fixed ratio non-zero number (eg .7) called the common ratio. This leads to a rapid decay depending on the common ratio; although adjustments are made along the way for structural purposes.
A brief comment on the Egyptian numbering system. In hieroglyphics, each symbol carries a phonetic value and symbolic meaning. The number one is a horizontal line. It can symbolize stability and balance. Therefore, the number six is represented by six-stacked ones.
There is no symbol for zero. They focused more on counting and practical mathematics. No placeholder exists for the absence of a quantity. The meaning and value were derived from the arrangement and grouping of the existing numbers.
The lack of zero in ancient Egyptian mathematics suggests that they emphasized quality over quantity in using numbers. The Egyptians used numbers for practical purposes such as trade, measuring land, taxation and construction. Their mathematics was connected to everyday life emphasizing quality in measurements and calculations rather than theoretical concepts of emptiness. Secondly, in a cultural sense, numbers were often linked to divine or qualitative values. There is no harmonious balance between being and nothingness in Egyptian culture. Basically, they were more concerned with chaos and did not equate it with nothingness. In conclusion, they developed one of the first fully developed numeric systems characterized by the absence of the number zero.
The angle at which sunlight strikes a surface (angle of incidence) significantly impacts the amount of light reflected. Generally, a pyramid with a 60 degree angle similar to the Step Pyramid would reflect less light compared to a pyramid of 51.5 degrees like the Great Pyramid of Giza if covered in similar reflective material. For steeper angles like 60 degrees, sunlight strikes the surface at a more intense angle throughout the day, especially at sunrise and sunset, leading to greater absorption and less reflection. Throughout the course of the day, the more sophisticated 51.5 degree pyramid would tend to reflect more light due to its geometry.
The angle of 51.5 degrees for the Great Pyramid of Giza is close to the optimal angle for maximizing sunlight reflection, particularly given its geographic location. However, determining "optimal" angle depends on several factors. The first factor is location. This pyramid is located at about 30 degrees latitude. This means it would strike a balance for solar exposure throughout different seasons. Regarding reflection dynamics, angles close to 45 degrees can also reflect a substantial amount of light, but they may not accommodate the structural stability and aesthetic qualities desired in such monumental architecture. The chosen angle of 51.5 degrees represents a compromise between optimal sunlight reflection and the structural integrity requirements.
The design, orientation and angle are often interpreted as supporting the solar cult in ancient Egypt. The ancient Egyptians worshiped the sun god Ra who was central to their cosmology. A) The structure of the pyramid sought to reflect this reverence. The pyramid shape itself is thought to symbolize the rays of the Sun and its association with the divine. This connection aligns with the ideas of rebirth and resurrection. B) The Great Pyramid is oriented precisely along the cardinal points of north-south-east-west which aligns with the Sun's movement. This reflects and facilitates solar worship, emphasizing the cycle of death and rebirth associated with the sun. C) The polished limestone casing that once covered the pyramid would have reflected sunlight, creating a brilliant shining effect, likened to a "gem" or "sunstone". The angle of the pyramid would also represent the symbolic path to the afterlife. At night, the pyramid would reflect light of the full Moon or be lit for ceremonial purposes. However, the light of the day symbolized life and creation; while conversely, darkness represented chaos and the unknown.
