Nemes Explained

Nemes
Color:	254E89
Nation:	Egypt
Primary Material:	Linen

Nemes consisted of pieces of striped head cloth worn by pharaohs in ancient Egypt.^[1] It covered the whole crown and behind of the head and nape of the neck (sometimes also extending a little way down the back) and had lappets, two large flaps which hung down behind the ears and in front of both shoulders.^[2] It was sometimes combined with the double crown,^[3] as it is on the statues of Ramesses II at Abu Simbel. The earliest depiction of the nemes, along with a uraeus, is the ivory label of Den from the 1st Dynasty. It is not a crown in itself, but still symbolizes the pharaoh's power.

Modern Recreations

The occult society "The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn" used headwear similar to ancient Egyptian nemes, which they spelled "nemyss", as part of their "traditional ceremonial garb".^[4]

Further reading

• Toby A. H. Wilkinson, Early Dynastic Egypt, Routledge 1999
• Bruce Graham Trigger, Ancient Egypt: A Social History, Cambridge University Press 1983
• Fragment of a basalt Egyptian-style statue of Ptolemy I

Notes and References

1. Kathryn A. Bard, Encyclopedia of the Archaeology of Ancient Egypt, Routledge 1999, p.412
2. Watson Early Mills, Roger Aubrey Bullard, Mercer Dictionary of the Bible, Mercer University Press 1990, p.679
3. Max Pol Fouchet, Rescued Treasures of Egypt, McGraw-Hill 1965, p.208
4. Book: Cicero. Chic. Golden dawn magic : a complete guide to the high magical arts. Cicero. Sandra Tabatha. 2019. Llewellyn Publications. 978-0-7387-5798-8. Woodbury, MN. 188. 1089884900.