Egyptian Rituals, Festivals, Traditions, and More

Egyptian Rituals, Festivals, Traditions, and More

The vast diversity of deities in ancient Egypt gave rise to an equally vast array of rituals, traditions, and festivals. All of these were overseen by the priesthood, whose members, alongside the pharaoh, were considered almost untouchable. Their authority—both religious and secular—was rarely questioned. In every city, a high priest led the local priestly college and bore a distinct and prestigious title. Attempts to elevate one high priest above others were harshly suppressed. Sometimes, pharaohs would assume priestly roles themselves to increase their influence, which highlights the significant status priests held—nearly on par with the pharaohs.

In addition to temples where priests lived and conducted sacred rites, there existed a widespread cult of holy places. Among the most revered were obelisks dedicated to the sun. Over time, these were replaced by pyramids, which in turn came in various forms. Aside from the classic shape, there were also flat-topped structures called *mastabas*, dedicated to the sun god Ra.

The design and decoration of sacred places were marked by opulence. Massive statues of gods, pharaohs, and animals were elaborately painted and adorned with intricate ornaments. Temple walls served not only a decorative purpose but also functioned as enduring stone books. Priests engraved them with records of significant past events, prophecies, royal histories, rituals, and even everyday matters and recipes. Unfortunately, many of these masterpieces of ancient art have not survived. Yet even those that remain continue to hold countless mysteries awaiting discovery.