Hedjet facts for kids
The Hedjet was the special White Crown of Upper Egypt in Ancient Egypt. This crown was white and looked like a tall, cone-shaped hat.
When Upper and Lower Egypt joined together, the Hedjet was combined with the Deshret, which was the Red Crown of Lower Egypt. This new crown, worn by the pharaohs of the united Egypt, was called the Pschent, or the Double Crown.
Sometimes, the Hedjet was linked to the vulture goddess Nekhbet. She was a protector of Upper Egypt. On the Pschent, Nekhbet would be shown next to the cobra goddess Wadjet, who represented Lower Egypt.
A Look at History
The White Crown has a very long history. It goes all the way back to the Predynastic Period in Egypt. This was a time even before the pharaohs ruled all of Egypt. This shows that having kings was important to Egyptian society for a long time.
Early pictures of the Hedjet were first thought to be found in a place called Qustul in Nubia. However, newer discoveries in Egypt, like at Cemetery U, show that the crown appeared even earlier in Egypt itself.
Gods and Kings
Nekhbet, the goddess who protected the city of Nekhebet (now called el Kab), was often shown wearing the White Crown. She was sometimes pictured as a woman with a vulture's head.
The falcon god Horus, who was very important in the city of Hierakonpolis, was also usually shown wearing the White Crown. Kings of united Egypt believed they were like Horus.
One famous example of the Hedjet is on the Narmer Palette. This ancient stone tablet was found in Hierakonpolis. It shows King Narmer (who was from the South, or Upper Egypt) wearing the hedjet. He is shown winning against his enemies from the North. Vases from the time of King Khasekhemwy also show him as Horus wearing the White Crown.
What Were They Made Of?
Just like the Deshret (Red Crown), no real Hedjet crowns have ever been found. We don't know exactly how they were made or what materials were used. Some people think they might have been made from materials like felt or leather.
The fact that no crowns have survived might mean they were passed down from one ruler to the next. This is similar to how crowns are used in some royal families today.
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Early Dynastic, the White crown: the Narmer Palette of Pharaoh Narmer
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Small bronze statuary usage with the Hedjet, White crown
Images for kids
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Bronze statuette of a Kushite king wearing the white crown of Upper Egypt. 25th Dynasty, 670 BCE. Neues Museum, Berlin
See also
In Spanish: Hedjet para niños
