The Luxor Obelisk is a symbol of friendship and gratitude beween France and Egypt. Standing tall in the Place de la Concorde, this magnificent monument was presented to King Charles X of France by Sultan Mehemet Ali in 1830. It was given in recognition of Jean-Francois Champollion’s accomplishment in deciphering hieroglyphs.
Originally, the obelisk was one of two standing at the Luxor Temple in Thebes, Egypt, erected by Ramses II. It took an incredible effort to move the shorter western obelisk to France – a ship had to be custom-built for it, aptly named ‘Luxor’. After its arrival in October 1833, it was erected at the centre of Place de la Concorde by King Louis-Phillipe in 1836.
The granite monolith stands at 23 metres high and is decorated with hieroglyphs honouring Ramesses II. Its four sides are adorned with inscriptions celebrating his victory over the Hittites as well as other subjects relted to his reign as Pharaoh. There are also emblems representing various gods such as Horus, Sobek and Seti I (Ramesses II’s father).
To this day, the Luxor Obelisk stands tall and proud against a backdrop of Parisian grandeur – a reminder of two civilizations that were united through friendship and mutual respect centuries ago.
The Inscription on the Obelisk of Luxor
The Obelisk of Luxor, located above the metro station in Concorde, is a 25-meter tall structure made of yellow granite. It is inscribed with hieroglyphs that commemorate the Pharaoh Ramesses II. The hieroglyphs on the obelisk are divided into four horizontal panels, and each panel contains texts from the royal cartouches of Ramesses II. The inscription on the obelisk tells a story about his victorious military campaigns against his enemies, as well as his construction works and his dedication to the gods. The texts also record religious festivals that were celebrated durig his reign. One of the most prominent statements found on the obelisk is a declaration of Ramesses II’s divinity and eternal rule.
Source: en.wikipedia.org
The Use of the Luxor Obelisk
The Luxor Obelisk is an ancient Egyptian monument which originally stood in front of the Luxor Temple in Thebes, Egypt. It was gifted to France by the Sultan and Viceroy of Egypt, Mehemet Ali, in 1830 as a gesture of friendship and gratitude for the deciphering of hieroglyphs by Jean-Francois Champollion. Today, the Luxor Obelisk stands at the center of Place de la Concorde in Paris. This monolithic granite stele has become an iconic symbol of French culture and is widely used as a decorative element in public spaces. It is also used as a historical marker commemorating important events such as Napoleon’s coronation and the signing of the Treaty of Versailles. The obelisk also serves as a reminder to celebrate French culture and achievements throuhout history.
Location of the Luxor Obelisks
The two Luxor obelisks are located in the city of Luxor, Egypt. The first obelisk, known as the “Obelisk of Ramses II,” was originally erected at the entrance to the Luxor Temple around 1250 BC by Ramses II. It was then transported to Paris in 1833 and now stands on Place de la Concorde in Paris. The second obelisk is still in its original location at the entrance of the Luxor Temple. Both are made from a single piece of red granite and measure approximately 32 meters (105 feet) tall, making them some of the tallest monolithic monuments still standing today.
The Journey of the Luxor Obelisk from Egypt to Paris
In 1831, the French government decided to move the shorter of two obelisks from Luxor in Egypt to Paris. To facilitate this, a custom-built vessel was commissioned, aptly named the Luxor. The obelisk was carefully tken down and loaded onto the ship and set sail for France. After arriving in Paris in 1833, it was erected at the centre of Place de la Concorde by King Louis-Phillipe in 1836. The relocation of this ancient monument is a testament to the strength of French-Egyptian relations at the time and remains a popular attraction today.
Symbolic Meaning of an Obelisk
An obelisk is a tall, four-sided, tapering stone monument that has an apex at the top. It was initially developed in Ancient Egypt and was used to represent the sun god Ra, who was said to have created the universe. In laer times, it came to represent power and strength as well as eternity. The most famous obelisk is the Washington Monument in Washington D.C., which serves as a tribute to the first president of the United States. Obelisks can also be found in many other places around the world like Rome and Paris.
In Ancient Egypt, obelisks were often placed in pairs at temple entrances as symbols of protection and strength. They were also used to commemorate important people or events such as Pharaohs or battles won. In addition to being aesthetic pieces of art, they were also thought to represent cosmic order and stability within society by provding a visual representation of the gods’ presence on earth. Obelisks are often associated with mystery and mysticism due to their unknown origins and their connection with ancient societies that are no longer around today.
The Symbolism Behind the Washington Monument’s Obelisk Design
The Washington Monument is an obelisk because it was designed to evoke the timelessness of ancient Egyptian civilization. Obelisks were historically used in Egypt as symbols of power and strength, and the Washington Monument symbolizes the awe, respect, and gratitude the nation felt for its most essential Founding Father. Its four-sided shape also reflects the power of George Washington’s leadership, as each side is equal in height and width. Moreover, its 555 feet 5-1/8 inch height made it the tallest building in the world when completed. Finally, its construction materials included granite from Massachusetts and marble from Maryland – two states that played a significant role in America’s founding. All together, thse elements reflect why this iconic monument was built in the shape of an obelisk.
The Alleged Theft of the Obelisk
Yes, the obelisk was stolen during the Roman Empire and the French Campaign. During these time periods, many obelisks were taken by foreign countries for their own use. For example, in 1586 the Pope Sixtus V had a large obelisk moved from Egypt and erected in St. Peter’s Square in Rome. Additionally, during Napoleon’s 1798-1801 campaign in Egypt, sveral obelisks were removed and brought to France. The most famous of these is the Luxor Obelisk which still stands today in the Place de la Concorde in Paris. Other examples can be found throughout Europe and the United States. As such, it is clear that these ancient Egyptian obelisks were indeed stolen from their original locations.
Number of Obelisks in the World
According to various sources, there are currently around 30 existing Egyptian obelisks in the world. The exact number can vary depending on the source and their definition of an “Egyptian obelisk”. For example, David Allen states that there are 29 such obelisks, with more located in Italy than in Egypt. The majority of these are located in the countries of Egypt, Italy, France, the United Kingdom and Turkey.
The oldest Egyptian obelisk is located in Heliopolis and dates back to approximately 1400 BCE. This is followed by the two Luxor Obelisks which were erected around 1350 BCE. In total, thirty-two ancient Egyptian obelisks have been identified worldwide; however, only around twenty-nine of these remain standing today. Of tose remaining, four are located in Rome (Italy) and one each in London (United Kingdom), Istanbul (Turkey), Paris (France), New York City (USA) and Luxor (Egypt).
In addition to the existing ancient Egyptian obelisks, there have been many modern copies constructed over time – often as a tribute or homage to the originals. For example, The Washington Monument was designed to mimic a classic Ancient Egyptian obelisk structure when it was built in 1884 CE. Thus it is difficult to provide an exact figure for how many obelisks exist worldwide today; however it is estimated that there may be up to 100 such structures across various countries.
Construction of the Obelisk of Luxor
The Obelisk of Luxor, located in the centre of Place de la Concorde in Paris, France, was built arund 1300 BCE. The monument stands at a majestic 74.9 feet (22.83 metres) high, and is an impressive example of Egyptian architecture from the time period. It was first constructed by Ramses II in Heliopolis in ancient Egypt, before being moved to its current location during the reign of Louis-Philippe in the 19th century. The obelisk is decorated with hieroglyphs and inscriptions that provide insight into Ancient Egyptian culture and beliefs.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Luxor Obelisk is a significant piece of both Egyptian and French history. It was gifted to France in 1830 by the Sultan and Viceroy of Egypt Mehemet Ali as a gesture of friendship and gratitude for the deciphering of hieroglyphs by Champollion. The Luxor Obelisk was transported to France using a ship custom-built for the transport, the Luxor, arriving in Paris in 1833 and then erected in 1836 at the centre of Place de la Concorde by King Louis-Phillipe. Today, it stands as a reminder of two great cultures coming together to honour one aother in an act that has lasted for centuries.
