Symbols of Sexual Union at Wadi El Hol

Wadi El Hol 1 is a grand panorama of human experience. It speaks of both physical and spiritual themes. The inscription portrays various forms of union: a child and mother, the sexual mating of male and female, and the spiritual ascension of a soul to merge with the divine. In the spiritual interpretation of this inscription, we see Jacob's ladder #5, #10, a stairway, leading to rapture in heaven.

In the center of the piece, there is a joyful scene of a newborn child embraced by the mother. A child, #7 is shown cuddled in the bosom #6, #8 of mother (joy).

Joy: Union of mother and child

Spiritual union as a soul #7 ascends in a column of light #12, #13. It becomes a perfected being of light to merge with the divine in Wadi El Hol 2.

Carnal relations in the left half of the inscription (#9 - #16) are juxtaposed with spiritual ascension in the first part on the right side (#1 - #8). Sexual union between a male #11 and female #12, 13 is suggested.

#9 Flexed bicep, fist pump gesture indicating strength, verility, and sexual intent. Foot standing erect. The V crook of the arm gains the association of pelvic activity.

#10 The zig-zag water glyph indicates motions of copulation, contractions of orgasm, moaning vocalization (as deduced from Saqqara Circumcision stele below), embraces

#11 Male with erect phallus, or reaching out with an arm to embrace a partner. #11 could also be an baby in embryonic phase with umbilical cord extending from the belly, the consequence, of the mating encounter.

#12. Glyph 12 appears to be the head of a cow, but it is composed of many more symbols. The mouth of the cow looks like female genitals. The eye glanging coquettishly through long lashes also has the form of a phallus. The horns are made of two cupped hands brought together to suggest both the two partners of conception, and the open space of the fertile womb.

#13 Female gentals

#14 water, murmur, contractions, embraces. Birth contractions.

#15 Smoke rising as a chain of puffs or clouds; breaths, expansions and contractions of the lungs. Breath of new life.

#16 KM The hieroglyph for black, an epithet of Egypt, the black, fertile lands.

{Meta-linguistics: K Kindled spark of volcanic fire. M darkness warmth womb mouth. M motherhood Q conception creation. KM - combination, Alchemy, chemsitry}

A papyrus from Saqqara yields the suggestion that MMMMMMM, ordinarily the hieroglyph for water, represents a vocal cry or moan, in this case by a circumcision patient undergoing a painful procedure.

Circumcision scene from Saqqara, Egypt. Water ripple glyphs imply a vocalization in response to the pain of the circumcision procedure

Image of original circumcision glyph here