The Columns of Ancient Egypt

Fluted Column

Fluted columns not only served a structural purpose but also carried symbolic meanings, reflecting the natural world. They are often designed to resemble bundle of reeds or plant stems. Their design evolved over time, and sometimes took the form of a polygonal column shaft.

Palmiform Columns

These columns had a palm tree motif, but did not actually represent the tree itself, but rather eight palm fronds lashed to a pole. Their unique design reflects the ancient Egyptians' ability to blend natural elements with artistic expression in their monumental structures.

Lotiform Columns

This column usually has ribbed shafts representing the the stems of the Lotus, and capitals in the form of a closed (bud) or open lotus flower. Lotus plants specifically are not present in the earlier times of Egyptian antiquity. What we so often refer to as "Lotus" was in fact a type of water lily.

Papyriform Columns

There are several variations in this type of column. Some have circular shafts representing a single plant, while others have ribbed shafts that represent a plant with multiple stems. The capitals could be closed (buds) or open in a wide, bell-shaped form. During the New Kingdom, the shafts of most papyriform columns taper upwards from bases decorated with triangular patterns representing stylized stem sheaths.

Coniform Columns

The style is characterized by a fluted shaft surmounted by a capital representing the branches of a conifer tree.

Tent Pole Columns

The column is basically a representation in stone of the wooden "poles" used to support light structures such as tents, and sometimes shrines, kiosks or ships cabins.

Campaniform Columns

These columns have a flower-shaped capital.The shafts of these columns could vary greatly, including floral, circular, ribbed, or even square forms.

Composite Columns

Composite Columns were probably an evolutionary extension of the campaniform columns with capitals decorations including floral designs of any number of real, or even imagined plants. Their variation could be endless, and they became so utterly stylized that the original floral motifs could hardly be recognized. In fact, this type of column continued to evolve in Greece and Rome, becoming very different from the Egyptian variety.

Hathoric Columns

They are usually instantly recognizable by their capital in the shape of the cow-headed goddess, Hathor. They often had a simple, round shaft.

Osiride Pillars

They take the form of a statue of the god Osiris on the pillar's front surface.