(from http://www.kaisei-hosp.com/tanaka/history.htm )

The Ancient Egyptians erected numerous tall monuments. The four-sided single piece of stone, called obelisk, stands upright, gradually tapering as it rises and terminating in a small pyramid called a "pyramidion". A glittering pyramidion was covered with gold or copper as it is now on the obelisk on the Place de la Concorde in Paris. Obelisks were known to the ancient Egyptians as Tekhenu, a term whose origin is unknown. When the Greeks became interested in Egypt,they gave the name "obeliskos", from which the modern name "obelisks" is derived. Obliskos is a Greek diminutive meaning "small spit". The name was applied to obelisks because of their tall, narrow shape. The shape was said to be modeled after the rays of the sun, which the Ancient Egyptians worshipped.

Obelisks were decicated to the sun god shrines at Heliopolis, the main center of the sun god's worship. Although the date at which obelisks were first erected is not known, a type of stone resembling the pyramidion of an obelisk was apparently considered sacred to the sun god(Atum or Re) even before the early period of the united kingdoms (3000B.C.). Such stones were known as benben. The kings of the Fifth Dynasty (2490-2340 B.C.) were probably the earliest rulers to decorate their temples with obelisks. Since the Eleventh and Twelveth Dynasties(2040-1800 B.C.), pharaohs (kings of Upper and Lower Egypt) dedicated pairs of obelisks to temples in Heliopolis, Thebes, Memphis, Piramesse and Tanis. These obelisks were decorated with inscriptions to commemorate the greatness of the pharoes, the length of their reign, their victories in wars. This practice was continued throughout the pharaonic period. The majority of obelisks were erected between the Eitheenth and the Twenty-fifth Dynasties (1567?-1085 B.C.).

The prosperity of the Egyptian Dynasties came to an end when Queen Cleopatra XII of Ptolemy surrendered to the first Roman Emperor, Augustus in 30B.C. Romans brought more than 50 ancient obelisks from Egypt and decorated Rome with them. Today, thirteen remain in Rome, one in Florence, one in Istanbul. Besides those brought during the Roman Empire, there are four obelisks in Paris, London, Kingston Lacy(Dorcet, U.K.) and New York. They were given by Egyptian pashas in the nineteenth century.

Only a few obelisks still stand in ancient temples in Egypt as they stood when they were erected by pharaohs. In this hopepage, you can enjoy these precious obelisks through my original photos. I would be very happy if those who visit my homepage could share my fascination with the astonishing feature of the four-sided polished obelisks with pyramidions piercing the sky like a Spaceshuttle waiting to be launched into space. Oh, OBELISKS!

Location: New York, U.S.A. Height: 21.20 meters Weight: 193 tons Red granite

This was the last obelisk taken from Egypt. At the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869, Khedive Ismail offered an obelisk to the United States. In 1881, it was reerected in Central Park in New York, behind the Metropolitan Museum.

The New York Obelisk used to form a pair with the London Obelisk which also came from Heliopolis and had been built by Tuthmosis III around 1470 B.C. Now these obelisks in New York and London are called Cleopatra's Needle for unknown reasons. When it was brought to the U.S. from Alexandria, Egypt, there remained two of the original four bronze crabs which were under the corners of the obelisk. Each of the crabs was carved in both Greek and Latin to describe how Augustus removed the obelisk from Heliopolis to Alexandria.

In January of 1881, when the New York obelisk was reerected in Central Park. New York did not have any skyscrapers at that time but only this obelisk. In May of 1988, when I visited the city of the skyscrapers, this oldest of skyscrapers was still isolated from tall buildings thanks to its location in Central Park, surrounded by beautiful flowers.

(From http://members.aol.com/Sokamoto31/ny.htm)

*" (a pair of obelisks) were erected in front of the Caesarium Temple at Alexandria. But the one of two obelisks fell in an earthquake in 1301 A.D., and nearly being lost at sea. Although the "fallen one" was transported to London in 19th Century, but the remained one was the one which was transported to New York later. Therefore, there is nothing in Alexandria at present. "

* The opening ceremony was held on February 22, 1881, before more than 10,000 jubilant New Yorkers. William Maxwell Evarts, then U.S. Secretary of State, asked to the crowds, "Who indeed can tell what our nation will do if any perversity is possible of realization; and yet this obelisk may ask us, 'Can you expect to flourish forever? Can you expect wealth to accumulate and man not decay? Can you think that the soft folds of luxury are to wrap themselves closer and closer around this nation and the pith and vigor of its manhood know no decay? Can it creep over you and yet the nation know no decrepitude?' These are questions that may be answered in the time of the obelisk but not in ours."

See also Notable High buildings of the World http://egipto.com/obeliscos/70000.html

I NEVER KNEW THESE OBELISKS EXISTED, LET ALONE THAT ONE STOOD IN OUR COUNTRY! WONDERING WHAT OTHER DOVES THINK ABOUT THIS.

Kay