Angelina Everdeen
ID: 206057127
Symbolism on the Narmer Palette
Early Dynastic Art is full of symbolism that provides information on the early history and
religion of Ancient Egypt. The Narmer Palette from Dynasty 1 informs us of early Egyptian
history and religion through symbolism. This essay discusses the different parts of the
Narmer Palette, what it symbolizes, and what that tells us about Ancient Egyptian history.
The Narmer Palette shows Narmer, first King of Egypt, uniting upper and lower Egypt
through symbolism. Narmer is wearing the white crown of upper Egypt on the reverse side of
the palette and the conjoined white and red crown of upper and lower Egypt on the obverse.1
The crowns symbolize the two distinct areas of Egypt, upper and lower. When the crowns are
joined together it symbolizes the unification of upper and lower Egypt by King Narmer,2 this
tells us that upper and lower Egypt were distinctly separated until King Narmer united them
both which is important historical information.
Religious symbolism is also featured through the presence of Egyptian gods. Horus is on the
reverse side, holding a rope around an enemies head. Horus is a recurring symbol of kingship
in Ancient Egypt,3 Horus symbolizes the kingship of Narmer as he now rules over lower and
upper Egypt.4 This symbol tells us a lot about the religion in that the gods are highly revered
and Narmer needs Horus’ approval to be king. Without Horus it would be Narmer becoming
King and uniting people just through the bloodshed of his enemies.
To conclude, the Narmer Palette symbolises many aspects of King Narmers unification of
Egypt. This symbolism is important in both a historical and religious context.
The Egypt Exploration Society. 2019. “The Royal Crowns of Egypt.” Www.ees.ac.uk. The Egypt Exploration
Society. March 7, 2019. https://www.ees.ac.uk/resource/the-royal-crowns-of-egypt.html.
1
Lloyd, Alan B. 2010. A Companion to Ancient Egypt. Vol. 1. Chichester, West Sussex ; Malden, Mass.: WileyBlackwell. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/9781444320053. p826.
2
Lloyd, Alan B. 2010. A Companion to Ancient Egypt. Vol. 1. Chichester, West Sussex ; Malden, Mass.: WileyBlackwell. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/9781444320053. p52.
3
Lloyd, Alan B. 2010. A Companion to Ancient Egypt. Vol. 1. Chichester, West Sussex ; Malden, Mass.: WileyBlackwell. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/9781444320053. p52.
4
Bibliography
Lloyd, A. A Companion to Ancient Egypt. West Sussex: Wiley-Blackwell, 2010. (e-book)
“The royal crowns of Egypt.” The royal crowns of Egypt, Egypt Exploration Society, 7 Mar
2019, The royal crowns of Egypt | EES. Accessed 20 Mar 2026.