The 4 calves

Ramesses II holds 4 calves by tethers attached to the rear flippers. The calves are of different colors: speckled, red, white and black. He pushes them toward Khonsu and Sety I. Behind Sety, a part of a scene representing an action of the heb-sed is even visible. This ritual of the 4 calves has been represented for the first time in the pyramid of Sahouré of the Fifth dynasty in Abousir, but it is surely older. It is about an agricultural source ritual.  The calves are driven toward the area of beating of the god so that his grain is perfected. 

 

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