048 Egyptian Halo

Museum Description: Four Black Granite Figures of the Goddess Sekhmet

Room: 4/Case: None/Number: EA 76

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:16

The Egyptian goddess Sekhmet was said to represent the destructive power of the sun.  Obviously she was not that powerful during the ninth plague of darkness.  Notice the sun disk shown on top of each of their heads.

Often in Christendom's religious art Jesus, Mary, angels and the 'saints' are depicted with the familiar halo around their head.  Even in popular culture, a 'good' person is often shown with a halo, whereas a 'bad' person is shown as the devil.  Where did this practice originate?  Here it is plain to see, and it can actually be traced all the way back to Babylon, where a circle of light was the symbol of their sun god.  Other similar or related artefacts are on display in The British Museum.