Washington's monument : and the fascinating history of the obelisk (2024)

FAQs

What does the Washington obelisk represent? ›

Built in the shape of an Egyptian obelisk, evoking the timelessness of ancient civilizations, the Washington Monument embodies the awe, respect, and gratitude the nation felt for its most essential Founding Father. When completed, the Washington Monument was the tallest building in the world at 555 feet, 5-1/8 inches.

These structures, characterized by a four-sided square base that tapered into an isosceles pyramidion at the top, initially symbolized rebirth, and were used as funerary monuments. These commemorative structures were believed to attract the reviving rays of the sun, thereby allowing the resurrection of the deceased.

Built to honor George Washington, the United States' first president, the 555-foot marble obelisk towers over Washington, D.C. George Washington was perhaps the one indispensable man among the founders. You can't get to the top of the Washington Monument without a ticket. Learn how to get them here!

Ancient Egyptians further believed that the obelisk could guide the souls of the dead to the afterlife. Its shape, symbolism, and use made it a powerful symbol of the strength of Egyptians' faith and the power of the Sun God Ra. Ra was an ancient deity worshiped as the primary God of the sun, order, and creation.

The Definition & Symbolism of the Obelisk

The ancient Egyptians called them Tekhenu which means "To Pierce The Sky". The obelisks held great meaning and were considered a symbol for the Benben, which is a primordial mound where Atum stood at the moment of creation, as mentioned in the ancient Egyptian Myth of creation.

The two sections closely resembled each other at first, but time, wind, rain, and erosion have caused the marble sections to weather differently, thereby producing the difference in color. A third type of marble is also visible at the dividing line between the two main phases of construction.

Built to honor the nation's first president, the Monument represents a complex story of enslavement and freedom. The Washington Monument with the National Museum of African American History and Culture in the foreground.

The Washington Monument is 100 feet taller than the Great Pyramid of Giza. If the Washington Monument and the Great Pyramid each were 355 feet shorter, the Washington Monument would be twice as tall as the Great Pyramid.

Starting with victory in the Revolutionary War, there were many proposals to build a monument to Washington, beginning with an authorization in 1783 by the old Confederation Congress to erect an equestrian statue of the General in a future American national capital city.

Following a magnitude 5.8 earthquake in northern Virginia in August 2011, the Washington Monument exhibited spalling and cracking of stone primarily in the upper levels of the monument.

What holds the Washington Monument together? ›

With $87,000 in funds, workers first installed a foundation of blue gneiss stone, then used pulleys, derricks, and other manual systems to hoist and place blocks of marble one on top of the other. The structure was held together by gravity and friction. By 1854, the monument was 156 feet tall.

Some interpret Broken Obelisk as a universal monument to all humanity. However, the severed, upended form could also suggest that there is nothing to celebrate—perhaps an allusion to the social unrest of the Civil Rights Movement and Vietnam War protests occurring in the United States in the 1960s.

The Black Obelisk is an important artifact for several reasons. It is one of the only complete Assyrian obelisks known to exist. It is also notable for depicting the first known image of a Biblical figure as it shows Jehu of Bit Omri, the king of Israel, paying tribute to the Assyrian ruler.

He was familiar with William Frishmuth since Frishmuth's foundry in Philadelphia had previously done some plating work for the monument. As the completion of the construction was nearing, Casey sent a request to Frishmuth asking if he could make a metal pyramid that was to serve as the lightning rod.

The National Slave Memorial is a proposed memorial to honor the victims of slavery in the United States. It was introduced during a 2003 Congressional session.