Palette Of Narmer Analysis

The Palette of Narmer which is also known as Narmer’s Victory Palette and the Great Hierakonpolis Palette was found in 1898 by James Quibell and Frederick Green. The Palette of Narmer “is commonly interpreted as representing the unification of Egypt and the beginning of the country’s growth as a powerful nation state” (Stokstad 51). The Palette was found along with a plethora of other objects that were used for ceremonial purpose. The palette is shaped like a chevron shield and is supposed to symbolize the First Dynasty King Narmer conquering his enemies and bringing together upper and lower Egypt. The Palette was carved on both sides which shows that it was used for ceremonial use rather than practical use. Palettes were typically made to

On this side of the Palette there are three scenes. In the first picture King Narmer is pictured again but this time he’s wearing the red crown of Lower Egypt. He’s also again pictured as the largest figure among all the others. It’s very evident that he’s important on this side if the palette as well. To the left of him is again his sandal bearer and in front of him a new figure, a female called Tjet who is holding a scepter. In front of this figure there are four standard bearers. The left most is supposed to represent some kind of animal skin, the second represents a dog and the ones after that represents falcons. People have interpreted this as the “emblems of royal house of Narmer, or of the regions that already belonged to his kingdom” (The Ancient Egypt Site). There is also a carving of a procession and if you look closely the enemies are decapitated with their heads between their legs, this signifies the fallen enemies of the king. Above the decapitated men there’s a ship and a harpoon and a carving of a falcon. These symbols are usually interpreted as the conquered region. Below this first picture is the largest engraving on this palette. It shows two men tying together the necks of two unknown creatures. This figure symbolizes one neck being the Upper Egypt and the other being Lower

The last carving on the bottom of the palette is a scene with a bull and what looks like a man. The bull most definitely symbolized the Kings Strength The bull is hovering over the male figure looking as if the bull has struck him. The fallen man is an enemy of the King and the bull has appeared to knock down the walls of a fortified city. The Palette of Narmer as a whole uses different types of imagery to tell the story about Egypt’s unification. King Narmer is carved multiple times throughout the Palette. His figure is always the largest and is always boldly outlined. He clearly was made to appear as the superior figure. He is always pictured victorious and conquering his enemies, Narmer is seen striking his enemies and parading his victory. The fact that on one side Narmer is wearing the white crown of Upper Egypt and on the other side the red crown of Lower Egypt symbolizes that he was the one that united the