Pectoral of Senusret II from the tomb of Sit-Hathor Yunet, daughter of Senusret II, found at El Lahun. This cloisonné pectoral is inlaid with 372 carefully cut pieces of semiprecious stones.
Hieroglyphic signs make up the design, which read: "The god of the rising sun grants life and dominion over all that the sun encircles for 1,100,000 years (eternity) to King Khakheperre [Senusret II]." Zigzag lines on the base bar represent the primordial waters out of which the primeval hill emerged. Each of the falcons, symbols of the sun god, clasps a circular hieroglyph meaning "encircled," thus declaring the solar deity's supreme power over the universe. The same hieroglyph, elongated to form a cartouche, encircles the throne name of Senusret II, Khakheperre.
Flanking the king's name are two ankh hieroglyphs (meaning "life") suspended from cobras whose tails are wound around the sun disk on the falcons' heads. These snakes represent Nekhbet and Udjo, the traditional protector goddesses of the king. Supporting the royal cartouche is the kneeling god Heh clutching two palm ribs symbolizing "millions of years.
Hieroglyphic signs make up the design, which read: "The god of the rising sun grants life and dominion over all that the sun encircles for 1,100,000 years (eternity) to King Khakheperre [Senusret II]." Zigzag lines on the base bar represent the primordial waters out of which the primeval hill emerged. Each of the falcons, symbols of the sun god, clasps a circular hieroglyph meaning "encircled," thus declaring the solar deity's supreme power over the universe. The same hieroglyph, elongated to form a cartouche, encircles the throne name of Senusret II, Khakheperre.
Flanking the king's name are two ankh hieroglyphs (meaning "life") suspended from cobras whose tails are wound around the sun disk on the falcons' heads. These snakes represent Nekhbet and Udjo, the traditional protector goddesses of the king. Supporting the royal cartouche is the kneeling god Heh clutching two palm ribs symbolizing "millions of years.