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In Egyptian mythology,
Sesmu (also spelt Shezmu, Shesmou, Sezmu, and Schesmu) was originally
a deification of the wine press, when it gained cultural significance,
his name simply translating as wine press. Until the Middle
Kingdom, Egyptians only produced red wine, rather than white
wine. The colour of the wine was the same as the setting sun,
and so Sesmu was occasionally depicted as a hawk, the symbol
of Horus, who was, in early times, the sun god.
Due to its colour, red wine became strongly identified with
blood, and thus Sesmu was identified as lord of blood. Since
wine was seen as a good thing, his association with blood
was considered one of righteousness, making him considered
an executioner of the unrighteous, being the slaughterer of
souls. When the main form of execution was by beheading, it
was said that Sesmu ripped off the heads of those who were
wicked, and threw them into a wine press, to be crushed into
red wine, which was given to the righteous dead. Beheading
was commonly carried out by the victim resting their head
on a wooden block, and so Sesmu was referred to as Overthrower
of the Wicked at the Block. This violent aspect lead to depiction,
in art, as a lion-headed man, thus being known as fierce of
face.
In later times, Egyptians used the wine press for producing
oils instead of wine, which was produced by crushing under
foot instead. Consequently, Sesmu became associated with unguents
and embalming oils, and thus the preservation of the body,
and of beauty.
Gods
and Goddesses Menu
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