File:The Open court (1887) (14762029991).jpg

Identifier: opencourt_apr1906caru (find matches)
Title: The Open court
Year: 1887 (1880s)
Authors: Carus, Paul, 1852-1919 Open Court Publishing company, Chicago
Subjects: Religion Religion and science
Publisher: Chicago : The Open Court Pub. Co.
Contributing Library: Morris Library, Southern Illinois University Carbondale
Digitizing Sponsor: CARLI: Consortium of Academic and Research Libraries in Illinois

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as inthe center of the oracular breast plate and represented the constella-tion Leo, because the summer solstice occurred therein. The priestswaist was encircled by an abnct, a mystical or esoteric belt, orgirdle, of the finest woven linen, dyed with three colors, blue, scarletand purple. His ephod or tunic, a broidered coat, was also offine twined linen, beautiful with figures of gods, men, stars, the sunand animals, wrought in exquisite needleworks An entire leopard-skin was thrown over the shoulders of the man of mystery; whilehis feet were clothed in gem-laden sandals. He bore in his righthand a wand or scepter of wood and gold. THE WANING OF THE LIGHT OF EGYPT. 220 The center of the only door of the httle room was exactly inthe axis or central line of the temple, and opposite the front open-ing, 1,800 feet away. From front to rear long lines of giganticcolumns supported the roof of stone. There were 134 pillars in 16rows. Some were 9 feet in diameter, and 43 high ; others 11 feet
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AXIS OF TEMPLE OF AMEN-RA^ LOOKING NUR r II WES r. and J2, with capitals 22 feet square, adorned with delicate carvings.The columns and pillars were in the form of reeds and papyrusplants. The ceilings, architraves, walls and columns were every-where engraved with figures of heroes, kings and high-priests. 230 THE OPEN COURT. together with hieroglyphics recounting their exploits,—all cut inthe intaglio style of rock writing. These characters were paintedin brilliant and enduring colors. Whatever the arrangement ofpillars, side-doors, obelisks, or columns, not one was allowed toobscure an open line from front to back of the mighty building.The founders and builders had one supreme object,—to keep astraight line forever open in the mathematically exact center of thetemple. In fact the edifice was built to enclose this axis leadingstraight through a thin aperture into the small room in the rear.This axis and room were the most important features. The mightyfacade was penetrated by an

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