Sphinx Profile
Flanking the north pediment at the main roof level are two Egyptian sphinxes facing east and west. Although in Egypt, the sphinx symbolized the king and the sun god, Ra in later periods, sphinxes stood as reminders of archaic wisdom and the unknown.
The exceptional feature illustrated here is the hieroglyphic inscription and cartouche found on the sphinxes’ chests. The text reads: “To the firm and everlasting manifestation of the Sun-God Ra (do your work).”
Perhaps more remarkable is that the inscription surrounds the cartouche of Thutmose III (1504-1451 BCE), a prolific New Kingdom Pharaoh regarded by Masons and Rosicrucians alike as the founder of the first secret society, established on April 1, 1489 BCE – almost 3,500 years to the day of this exhibit. -- Frank Albo, 2004
