Being Green
Being Green
Standing, looking round the vaulted cellar, I still remember when this dusty white space was just that – dusty and unused, filled with upside down jumble. This is an old part of the Castle, so much so that nearby, in another part of these cellars, we found the remains of foundations from the palace of William of Wykeham which stood on this site during the 14th century.
Once upon a time, this was the white wine cellar but, clearing it out, sadly I found no wine of any sort, just broken chairs and other similar detritus dumped here over the years. Today, it has once again been painted an off white but this time it has been deliberately distressed and scattered with splodges to make it look a bit mouldy and worn. Obviously, it is neither but Geordie and I hoped it might make you feel as if you were standing in Tutankhamun’s tomb, 5,000 miles away and 3,500 years old.
The cellars are the perfect place for our Tutankhamun exhibition. Filled with replicas of the original items found in the tomb, the low ceilings of the small interconnecting rooms give the impression that you only need to stretch out an arm and you could touch the exhibits. The longest area of wall is painted with the scene in which Tutankhamun is commended on his journey to the afterlife by his successor as Pharoah, Ay. Leaving the Valley of the Kings, he passes through the hours of the night with the help of the Goddess Nut to the embrace of Osiris in the next world, the world of rebirth and resurrection, the world eternal.
The frieze is a vivid reminder of the colour of this ancient world. Osiris stands in front of Tutankhamun to welcome him, easily recognised by his green face. Then as now, different colours had various meanings. The colour green, as you would expect, was associated with life and vegetation, the renewal of the land brought by the flooding and retreat of the river Nile each year.
Osiris represents not just death but fertility and the afterlife. The green pigment was made from a mineral called malachite and the ancient Egyptian word for green is “Wajd” the hieroglyph being a papyrus stem and frond. Wajd with three dots (grains of sand) “wahdj” underneath then means malachite. The “Field of Malachite” was an epithet for the Egyptian afterlife, a beautiful paradise of peace.
Green was also the colour of the “Eye of Horus,” (“Wedjat,”) which had healing and protective powers. In this case, green represented well-being and to do “green things” was to behave in a positive, life-affirming manner.
The word green is derived from old English words (grene, groene) referring to growing, living plants and in every way it symbolises prosperity in its most natural form. In ancient Egypt malachite was often used as an amulet symbolizing health and it was worn for protection. The amulet was often in the form of a scarab, due to the beetle’s symbolic connotation to rebirth and immortality and whilst we may not consciously make all such links today, many of us still enjoy wearing bracelets or necklaces with malachite.
Today the colour green is equally laden with symbolism. It still represents growth and fertility but to my mind it also conjures up a sense of harmony and fresh natural vistas. It restores not just the body but the mind with restful feelings.
Walks under green canopied trees through abundant grass fields reduces stress and anxiety. No longer associated with resurrection and the next life, it stands instead for looking after the world in which we live. Unfortunately, the word is also now loaded with political implications which are much less relaxing to the mind but such is life today. I think I prefer the green of the past.
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40 Comments
Too true, Lady Carnarvon.
What a most interesting and informative post ! Thank you. I totally agree that getting out into the countryside and local woodland is very restorative. (Bit too hot today .... but I'll be out there again when the temperature drops a little.
Lovely the pictures of being green and did you and lord Carnarvon have a wonderful weekend and lam fan of highcelere castle and fan of Downton Abbey
Green happens to be my favourite colour. For me, it represents refreshing air, soft grass and many, many trees in the garden. I loved your story today focusing on Tutaukhanun, especially so since we saw some of the original artifacts on our Viking River Cruise on the Nile. Splendid memories.
Good morning and what beautiful pictures, thank you.
How very interesting to find out what various symbols and colour's mean way back and now.
Looks like your weather is producing some stunning trees and lush grass while here in Florida the weather is very warm but humid to.
We just built a house that I used green on in the library room and what a relaxing color it is. A good book, pretty patterned comfortable chairs and doors so it will be private as books are read and discussions had for another paint color to represent events and meanings or that I just like it because I, well, I like it!
Enjoy your amazing weather and amazing views you have it all.
Thank you for my Monday read now off to the paint shop but not sure how I feel about Egypt style pictures on a library wall lol
Lady Carnarvon, I’ve been lucky to have visited your magnificent home twice in the last few years & saw the “ basement “ in all its splendor..
It’s one of my happiest vacations ever, Downton Abbey & Highclere castle…
What could be better..
Lady Carnarvon,
Thank you for another story of how you and Lord Carnarvon have kept history alive in the Egyptian spaces in your cellar. We were grateful for the stories depicted there. Your lesson this morning about how we must keep our land growing and nurtured is too important to forget. Hope you walk beneath the gently blowing trees today.
Martha G.
Lady Fiona
Your Book, The Earl and the Pharaoh, was an an Excellent Read. It was worth the wait Filling in many of the details that one interested in the history in Archeology of the Tutankhamun discovery would have. I truly recommend it.
So very tue thank you an interesting readx
Thank you
Thank you for visiting
Dear Lady Carnarvon
What a lovely story, especially the references to Tutankhamun. We have only about three weeks ago returned from Viking Cruises Pharaohs and Pyramids cruise where we were thrilled when we saw the mummy of Tutankhamun in the Valley of the Kings and other relics in the Egyptian Museum
Green is my favourite colour. Some superstitious people believe green is unlucky but I have always thought the opposite. - Mother Nature’s own colour. The fresh green leaves in spring are a treat for the eyes.
We visited Highclere a few years ago and loved it. In the grounds your secret garden was especially beautiful and your arboretum lovely. I expect the trees there have grown considerably since we saw them. We also loved your Tutankhamun exhibition in the castle basement. The detail was fascinating, all the more so when you consider the tomb may still lay undiscovered if it wasn’t for Howard Carter’s and The 5th Earl’s persistence. I would recommend your book The Earl and The Pharaoh which I listened to on Audiobooks and thoroughly enjoyed.
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
I agree with you whole heartedly. To me Green brings visions of springs new life, growth , vast meadows/Paddocks of lush vibrant variations of green , trees brimming with hundreds of leaves reaching for the sun and cleaning our air, soul lifting flowers of every variety with stems and leaves also showing off their many variations, mosses of all varieties giving a glimmer of softness, shades of green and they also have a wonderful way of giving the appearence and feel of lushness. There is soul lifting, mind calming and clarity, heart warming and spirit encouraging beauty in Green in nature. There are so many health benefits in nature that mankind have benefited from over centuries.
We can all do our bit in being more green. We have tried to be more mindful with water, electricity, gas and petrol. We have a small garden to help supplement our food. We also have fruit and nut trees. I love gardening and I find it purposeful and relaxing.
Thank you for this historical, uplifting, profound and encouraging email.
Yours Sincerely
Moya.
I love the green of England! It is unique, like her style. Lady Carnarvon, thank you again for the interesting post.
What deep historic facts & information of our common 5 letter word!
Interesting common color back in the days of Tutankhamun as I did see his connected items in Egypt years ago and some green paints on them and also in your lovely lower level there at Highclere Castle converted to a Tutankhamun area when I was there two times. Wonderful what you & Lord Geordie Carnarvon created there.
Your garden areas and acres around are so full of green plant items during the seasons of growth.
Good luck walking out and about there with your dogs with the hotter summer days coming up.
I dreamt I told you this and so, I thought I would leave my first comment. I just want to thank you so much, sincerely. You tenaciously use your blessings to not only better our world yourself, but to inspire and educate others to do the same. I am (obviously) a fan of yours. I see you as a hero for our amazing planet and a champion for good. I love your writing style and orations. Thank you seems such a small thing for all that you have done and continue to do, but I hope you hear it often. Thank you, thank you, thank you for ALL your efforts.
In the city where I live, San Jose, CA, we have a replica's of Tut's tomb. It was built by the Rosicrucian Order. The order is a spiritual and cultural organization.
In the sixth grade curriculum in California, the students study ancient civilizations, including the Egyptians. Thousands of 6th graders from all over the state come to the Egyptian Museum to see the displays.
Of course, we also study about Lord Carnarvon and his exploits in the Valley of the Kings which led to his discovery of Tut's tomb in 1922. I have been lucky enough to see the Tut exhibit in 1977 when 55 of the objects from the tomb travelled around the country in a wonderful exhibition. I, of course, would love to come to Highclere to see your room and artifacts there.
Thank you so much for your wonderful newsletter. I look forward to it each Monday.
As the puppet frog, Kermit, sings
It’s not easy being green
Completely living green quite a challenging goal (but worth pursuing), but enjoying green your post and photos shared have helped us find a refreshing moment to the start to our week. Thank you and every blessing from coastal California.
Your GREEN interpretation is the way it should be....calming and relaxing in our "upside-down" world !! thank you for sharing....
We use lots of green in hospitals here in the US because it is also a healing color. I enjoyed the tour. Thank you
Thank you
A much-needed-today fascinating and soothing post! Thank you so much! As always...
Thank you Lady Carnarvon for another blog entry. You always write so lyrically and it draws us into the story. Thank you for explaining the frieze. I am due to visit Highclere the first week of August and your explanation of the frieze will make it even more enjoyable for me. Thank you.
Lady Carnarvon,
I am sorry that you didn't find any wine.
My husband and I are going wine tasting in Mexico this week for the first time.
I enjoyed learning more about "being green!"
We saw King Tutankhamun‘s exhibit at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville North Carolina, USA in anticipation of our visit to Highclere. It is so fascinating to see how these large estates and families interconnect through relationships and/or interests.
Your description makes me feel like I'm right there, experiencing it myself. Many thanks.
Tell me more about how you “found the remains of foundations from the palace of William of Wykeham which stood on this site during the 14th century.” This is something I would like to learn more about please! I love this blogthough and the theme of the green. I find outdoor green trees and spaces, and especially my beloved mountains, to be calming and peaceful. Thank you again.
As always, with great affection and respect,
Suzanne in Georgia
We look forward to welcoming you in August
After visiting both Highclere & the tombs in Egypt, we enjoyed the display at Highclere immensely and look forward to our visit in August and again next year.
Your home is beautiful, inviting and incredibly interesting.
Thank you for your hospitality and your blogs!!
Lady Carnarvon,
Thank you for another lovely piece which transported us to faraway places and times. Would that our politicians and people in power could see the world thru your eyes.
Thank you for another interesting post. I have seen King Tutankhamun's exhibit in Los Angeles with my husband before it headed home to the new museum,
My dearest Lady Fiona.
Bonjour du Brésil.
Congratulations.
Always informative.
Milady is the must better.
Lovely summer for us.
Cheers.
VILA ALEMÃ
RIO CLARO-SP
BRAZIL
Dear Lady Carnarvon,
I always look forward to your writings and am especially excited today as our travels to see you and Highclere in July are being finalized.
Your descriptions bring life to the treasures that are Highclere.
See you soon.
Trish Elrod
NC USA
Thank you, Lady Carnarvon, for yet another blog. I prefer green just to apply to the gorgeous colour and not to any political aspirations. It is a symbol of new life and growth, maybe why the Roman Catholic church uses the colour for it's vestments in ordinary time, (usually the summer and outside of Lent, Easter and Advent). Don't get me started on the word usage gay either. Have a wonderful week and enjoy all the trees you have here. Any grass here in Tx is likely to soon turn brown, though we have, so far, had a wet and cooler Spring that usual.
GOOD NIGHT
WHY DOES THE BLOG UPDATE TAKE SO LONG ???
We are about to change to a new website as this original company no longer supports us! Next week hopefully
As we refurbished the cellars and connecting passages
Lady Carnarvon,
It is a beautiful color. Really it's the color of peace of mind and healing. Photographs look better in a green background. One of my favorites. Archangel Raphael caracterized by the color green.
I look forward to and enjoy your blog posts! Their tone is calming and they are always informative. I especially like this one because it's good to hear that "living green" is a message that has been around for thousands of years!