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Author: * Qemhes Khafre -
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Date: Jul 15, 2007 - 00:11
The intimate, relaxed couple sit on a large and prominent bed. This is similar to, though earlier than, the scenes from Deir el Bahari and Luxor in which Amun-Ra is shown above a bed with the queen. As in the royal scenes, Mereruka and his wife directly face one another. The Mereruka scene also recalls the prelude to sexual union depicted in Nebhepetre’s chapel. Much as Hathor shakes a sistrum in order to arouse her human partner for intercourse, Mereruka’s wife plays a harp for her husband, perhaps to accompany a love song.
There is a final indicator of imminent intercourse, one that is rarely mentioned even by commentators who think that the scene refers to intercourse and the deceased’s rebirth.16 Over his left shoulder, Mereruka holds a large fly whisk made of three fox skins tied together. The whisk forms the hieroglyph for “(re)birth” or “to be (re)born.” This is almost certainly not accidental; it suggests that the scene represents the prelude to the sexual union necessary for Mereruka’s rebirth.
Odd Source: Biblical Archaeology Society, online archive
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Prelude
Poems and Hymns
(- threads, 3 posts)
Poems and Hymns
(2 posts)
