What is Obelisk?
[[File:Heliopolis200501.JPG|thumb|upright|Obelisk of Sesostris I, XII dynasty, Middle Kingdom]] An '''obelisk''' is a [[monument]] made out of stone, much like a [[column]] but supporting nothing. Obelisks were erected by [[Ancient Egyptians]] for commemoration. Obelisks were usually made of a single piece of [[stone]]. A bird's eye view of obelisk is square and this structure has gradually tapering four sides and its ends in a [[pyramid]]al top. Obelisks originated with the holy stone of sanctuary which served the sun god, [[Ra]], in [[Heliopolis]]. There usually was a pair in front of a gate or sanctuary, and on each side of obelisk there were written hymns and some actions of the of king in [[hieroglyph|hieroglyphics]]. Obelisks can have interior spaces. There are similar forms of obelisks in [[Europe]] and [[America]], and some were taken from Egypt by Europeans and Americans. The [[Washington Monument]] is a large, modern, built obelisk. == Related pages == * [[Stele]] {{commonscat|Obelisks}} {{stub}} {{authority control}} [[Category:Monuments and memorials]]