King Senwosret I

In a compelling visual scene carved on five statues from the pyramid complex of King Senwosret I at Lisht, two of Egypt’s most famous and contrasting deities—Horus and Seth—are shown in harmony, jointly binding plants around the Sema-Tawy symbol, which represents the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt. This imagery was not only political but also profoundly symbolic, representing a divine endorsement of royal power and national unity. Horus, the falcon-headed god, was traditionally seen as the protector of kingship and order. He symbolized divine legitimacy, closely associated with Pharaohs from the earliest dynasties. His presence in the Sema-Tawy ritual affirmed the ruler’s sacred right to the throne and echoed a lineage stretching back to the mythical era of divine kings. Seth (or Set), in contrast, is a far more complex figure. Often linked to chaos, storms, and the desert, Seth played the role of Horus’s rival in the famous myth of the Contendings of Horus and Seth—a divine struggle for the throne after the death of Osiris. However, in certain contexts, Seth was not an enemy of order, but a necessary force of strength and protection, especially during the Old and Middle Kingdoms. He was seen as the god who defended Ra's solar barque from the serpent Apophis during its nightly journey through the underworld. By placing Horus and Seth side-by-side—working together to bind the Two Lands—Senwosret I visually portrayed his rule as one that balanced opposing cosmic forces. This act wasn’t just artistic; it was a statement of cosmic reconciliation. In myth, it was only when Horus and Seth agreed to unify Egypt that the land could flourish again. Thus, by associating himself with this rare moment of divine harmony, the king reinforced his role as maintainer of Ma’at, the universal order. This motif would have been particularly powerful during the Middle Kingdom, a period of political consolidation after the fragmented First Intermediate Period. Senwosret I’s use of this symbolism reflects a conscious effort to reassert centralized control, divine favor, and national stability—key themes in his reign, which also saw a revival in temple building, art, and literature. The duality of Horus and Seth—once rivals, now reconciled—provided a theological foundation for kingship that transcended conflict. Their combined action in binding the papyrus and lotus plants around the windpipe (symbolizing life and breath) of the nation affirmed that Egypt, under the rule of a divinely chosen monarch, was once again unified, protected, and blessed.