古代エジプト新王国時代における『生命の水』の図像表現とその機能
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概要
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Water was an essential life-giving element to the Ancient Egyptians, and this soon led them to associate the symbol of life, _??_, with water. An _??_-symbol in relation to water was iconographically exploited since it encompasses the concept of ‘gives life’ to a receiver: the pharaoh and/or the deceased, in particular, as an assurance of his/her present and perpetual life.In this article, the iconographic motifs of an _??_-symbol in relation to water in the New Kingdom will be categorized into three types: in the form of chained _??_-symbols; the ritual vessel in the shape of an _??_-symbol (so-called _??_-vessel); the personified _??_ holding a water basin (s) or a ritual vessel. Then the context which contains the _??_-motif related to water will be considered predominantly in respect of two fundamental mythological conceptions: solar revivification and Osirian resurrection. The _??_-symbol is represented in the context of solar creation, especially the bathing of the sun-god at sunrise and his movement through the heavens. Furthermore, in the Osirian context, the strong association of an _??_-symbol becomes obvious with the liquids flowing from (efflux) and into (influx) the body of Osiris, in the manifestation of whm-_??_ ‘that which repeats life/renewal of life’ in particular. This binary cosmic scheme of mythological concepts is interwoven into the transformation process from death to life, and that from present to mythic/cosmic reality.This study will demonstrate an iconographic mechanism within which _??_-motifs associated with the life-giving water were carefully and appropriately chosen in each case depending on the context as a device to create the magical reality of dj _??_ ‘giving life, ’ the substantial and repeatedly stressed formulaic message throughout the Phraohnic periods.