Crown / Diadem

As the insignia of kings and gods, crowns were the ultimate symbol of power in Egyptian imagery. There were a number of crowns of different style which indicated the character of the wearer. The Double Crown combined the white crown of Upper Egypt and the red crown of Lower Egypt, indicating rule over both lands. The Atef crown, primarily worn by the god Osiris, combined the double feathers of the royal headdress and the Upper Egyptian crown, but had the addition of a solar disc on the very tip.

In tarot the crown is worn by different figures and used as a symbol in its own right.
o ‘The Royal Diadem’ (7of Pentacles) – “A head covering of Ostrich feathers surrounded by seven coins is the symbol of power and well-being”.
o ‘The White Crown’ (6 of Chalices) – “An ornament of Osiris and the Pharaoh, the crown of ostrich feathers represents intellectual and spiritual purity.”

o ‘The Overturned Djed’ (10 of Wands) – “The crown of Osiris, overturned under the djed, the backbone of the god, is the symbol of the loss of power deriving from defeat by the hand of Seth.”

'Wands' - Crook and Flail Imagery

As a hieroglyphic sign the staff like crook held the meaning ‘to rule’ and commonly appeared in Egyptian imagery being carried by either god, king or high official. It is believed to have originated from the staff carried by shepherds, later adopted as a symbol of power and authority.

The flail consists of a short rod with either two or three strips of pendents or strings of beads. The origin of the flail in Egyptian imagery is unclear, some believe it to originate from the shepherd’s whip whilst others believe it to be a fly-whisk. The flail was viewed as a symbol of authority when held by a Pharaoh, but was also a symbolic characteristic of the gods Min and Osiris.



Painted wooden Stela of Neshkons, showing Osiris with crook and flail, 21st dynasty (Tanis 1069 - 945 BCE). The crook and flail royal and religious imagery is best represented in the reliefs and stelae of the Petrie collection.

The crook on its own appears heavily in the tarot cards series of ‘wands’ cards, either standing alone or held by individual characters:
‘Wands’ series of cards in general.

‘The Lady of the Sciences’ (Queen of Wands) – “a noblewoman decorated with the royal symbols raises her hand in greeting”.


‘The Lord of Fertility’ (King of Wands) – “A King raises the wand of earthly power”.
‘The Traveller’ (Knight of Wands) – “A noble knight rides his charger, bearing the banner of power”.

‘Horus’ Messenger’ (Knave of Wands).