Encyclopedia of a Sacred Space- Brandon Litaker

Encyclopedia of a Sacred Space- The Great Pyramid
By: Brandon Litaker

General Description:

The Great Pyramid is one pyramid of a larger site called Plateau of Giza, which is just outside of Ciaro. A Pharaoh named Khufu placed Giza at the heart of funerary devotion, with his pyramid “the Great Pyramid” as the largest structure there. The Great Pyramid took unimaginable amounts of materials and labor to construct. It was also thought to have taken hundreds of thousands of workers over 20 years to complete the pyramid. The Great Pyramid was 481 feet tall when constructed and was the tallest structure on Earth for centuries, it also covered over 13 acres. The Great Pyramid’s King Chamber is lined with Red Granite.

Architectural Design:

The structure is mostly solid with a few chambers inside. The construction materials were large stone blocks approximately 2 and ½ million of them weighing over 2 tons each! The pyramid designers had an advanced degree of understanding about geometrics and astronomy. They aligned objects with stars and produced angles on the architecture that was very precise. The stone blocks were thought to have been rolled in on cut down tree trunks and mud.

Harmony with Nature:

The Great Pyramid was constructed with lots of limestone. The location of the plateau of Giza was perfect for the simple reason that it had an abundant supply of limestone. The Great Pyramid sits high atop the plateau and can be seen from far away. The lifeline of Eygpt is the Nile River and the nutrients it supplies to the populations and the location of the Great Pyramid is close enough to it to be seen. The pyramids rose above the civilization almost as if it was protecting them.

Symbolism and Sacred Objects:

Some believe that the Great Pyramid is at the center of an alignment of 3 pyramids that resembles the 3 stars in Orion’s belt. Today many have tried to disprove this but there is still some very valid strong arguments being revealed. The Great Pyramid is symbolic of ascending to the Gods. It not only was large it also was on a plateau and could be seen from all around which has some symbolism of the power of the rulers who laid to rest there. There are 4 air shafts on the Great Pyramid, it is thought that they were intended to channel the soul of the Pharaoh directly to Orion, and then he would become immortal as a God. The pyramid was designed with the heart King’s chamber being it’s most vital and scared spot.

How it is used by worshippers:

The great pyramid is a one of the 7 ancient wonders of the world. It has been constantly reviewed for better understanding. The Plateau of Giza has had more excavations than any other site in Egypt, and maybe even the world. More people come to the Great Pyramid to understand it and how it was constructed; there are many questions to how it was built.


Sources:
1. http://www.crystalinks.com/giza.html
2. http://www.crystalinks.com/gparc.html
3. http://www.sacred-destinations.com/egypt/giza-pyramids.htm
4. http://www.sacred-destinations.com/egypt/giza-pyramids-pictures/slides/pyramids-cc-scarletthread.htm
5. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Pyramid_of_Giza
6. http://www.si.edu/Encyclopedia_SI/nmnh/pyramid.htm