Egyptian Yoga

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"Yoga" (esoteric) schools in India were long established by the time of the Egyptian dynasties, and the Egyptians—who would have traded with India—were well-schooled in Yogic practices, of which they had their own recognizable versions.

One particular location well worth visiting in the Louvre is the crypt of Osiris, where you will see, among many other important cult objects, the sarcophagus of Imenemit (1069-664 BC), which contains on its back a map of the spinal column that likely conveys an Egyptian understanding of the yogic chakra system.

The image represents the spinal column, and is clearly divided into the traditional three vertical yogic channels of Ida, Pingala, and the central Sushumna. Circulation of inner yogic energy is shown through the downward-pointing fleur-de-lis motif, showing the descent of higher energy into the recipient:

This motif turns around and points upward in the Ida and Pingala  channels, showing the circulation of the energy back up towards the head:

Here’s the entire map of the energetic circulatory system:

The introduction of threefold energies shows a concept related to the holy trinity which well predates Christianity. The threefold energies are related to the energies in the spine, which also reflect a threefold nature:

The root chakra literally grows up from the earth in the form of two sets of plants. There’s a symbolic relationship between the plant’s leaves on the left (green) and right (red and dark blue) and the waves of energy in the central channel (spine.) The energy moves down through the spine in highly structured, organizied waves, roots itself (the green base) and then ascends separated into two distinct channels (left, green, right, red and blue.) The left one is “female,” green and watery (life giving) the right side “male,” dry and powerful, yielding seed (the pods at the tips of the inflorescences.) This is the inseminating force; yet note that the force at the very root is female (green.) We begin to see intimations of the color symbolism here that may be of further use in interpreting the symbolism. 

Green represents a feminine, or receiving, quality or attitude. It is passive and life-giving; wherever we see it, it represents the fecund influence of the divine. Of course that lies at the root of existence, at the very base of the column.

Blue represents the active or masculine force. 

Red represents prana, the divine energy itself.

The sex chakra has an animal nature, and is dramatically divided into a male and female force with distinctive differences by uniquely placing the body of the wolf crosswise behind the Sushumna channel. 

The solar plexus gives us two figures of nearly identical aspect. Each engages in a peculiar holding of the shoulder with one hand, while touching the energy flow of the spinal column with the other. The right hand and left hand are employed, emphasizing the left/right nature of energy flow in the Ida and Pingala channels. The raised hands indicate a gathering of energy from above; and the hands on the shoulders represent the incorporation of that spiritual energy into one’s own Being. The collective impression underscore’s the traditional role of the solar plexus as a nexus for the acquisition of spiritual power through the gathering of divine inner energies. The looped sashes indicate a concentration of that energy which is then brought down towards the ground—the intermediary action of the yogi in grounding their spiritual flow. The characters (here not animal or divine, but emphatically human—the only such characters in the diagram) are green: they’re receivers and collectors of the divine influence. Their elongated bodies symbolize the long distance they must reach above them in their effort to develop spiritual Being.

The next image represents the heart chakra, rendered here as a complex stack of compartments. It’s actually a recapitulation of the seven lower chakras, a sub-universe in miniature, with the entire spinal column below it serving as the root chakra.

The figures on the right and left are the secret, or brother and sister, chakras that lie on either side of the heart. Thoth is wisdom; Horus is the eye of the sun. Here their lower hands are at the level of the solar plexus, indicating mastery of that energy (power), and their other arms reach towards the third eye (wisdom.) The towels held at the level of the solar plexus on either side are the selfsame sashes seen at the level of the solar plexus; they are white, which represents purification. The heart is the domain of influences of the gods; Thoth and Horus preside. It’s a picture symbolic of aspirations.

Horus’ eye is red: he sees with divine energy. His body is green and thus, here, indicates the receptive principle. Thoth’s headdress is red: he is male, blue, and anointed with and protected by the signifying red of divine energy. Each of the two wears a white kilt, symbolizing purity of intent. They both have the heads of birds, signifying their role as mediators of higher energies.

The throat chakra is represented by two horses. The peculiar coiled tail assigns the symbol elemental qualities, that of breath and wind; the equipage on the face represents the powerful force of the horse, brought under control.

The Image of Horus appears at the top, representing the third eye, gateway to the seventh chakra. He represents a guardian, and the quality of silence.

The 7^th or crown chakra is on the head of the figure, encircling it.

Because of stylistic considerations particularly the requirement of keeping the headdress free of design (i.e., completely purified) the throat and third eye chakras were placed lower down on the body than their traditional and physically correct locations.

Here’s a recap:

Pay special attention to the detail lavished on the heart, which according to egyptian understanding is actually a miniature model of the entire chakra system as a whole, containing all of its elements in a single concentrated location. The stupa-like structure is an indicator of the seven different levels of development that the heart can undergo by itself.

Wishing the best for you on this day,

Lee

Lee van Laer is a Senior Editor at Parabola Magazine.