Imitation of the Lotus Flower in Architecture: its Use in the Decoration of Walls and Ceilings of Palaces, Houses, and Tombs in Ancient Egypt

Abstract

Plant motifs were of great importance in the arts of ancient Egypt. It was very interested in decorative units and its aesthetic forms. The lotus flower is one of the most well-known plants in ancient Egyptian civilization due to its association with the religious and daily life of the ancient Egyptians. This fragrant flower in its colors white, blue, red, and as a sacred symbol in the life of the ancient Egyptian was not only an aesthetic decorative component that was depicted by the ancient Egyptians on walls of temples, or used in the manufacture of perfumes and cosmetics, but also used it in the decoration of palaces, houses and tombs in a specific decorative form. This study investigates on how the ancient Egyptians imitated the lotus flower in architecture and used it in decorative decoration of walls and ceilings in naturalistic scenes on walls or ceiling decoration with floral composition, and also in the form of pattern border strip (frieze), both in civil and religious architecture.