Ben Ben Pyramid: What Is the Benben Stone, What Is It Made of, and What Does It Symbolize?

The Benben stone is an object found in the mythology of ancient Egypt. It is a stone with a conical shape and, according to some theorists, may be of extraterrestrial origin. The Benben stone is also an architectural term, describing the name given to the tip of an obelisk or the capstone placed on top of a pyramid.

Pyramidion of the Pyramid of Amenemhet III at Dahshur. Image by- Jon Bodsworth, Copyrighted free use
Pyramidion of the Pyramid of Amenemhet III at Dahshur.
Pyramidion of a granite obelisk from Karnak temple. Image by- Hannah Pethen.Flickr. CC BY-SA 2.0
Pyramidion of a granite obelisk from Karnak temple

The Benben stone is a symbol of the Phoenix, which had the ability to revive itself and be reborn again. It also represents the cycle of the seasons. It was found in the Temple of the Phoenix, which was within the precinct of the Great Sun Temple of Heliopolis. Perhaps the stone was seen by Egyptians as the seed of the legendary bird, since ben meant “fertilization” in their language.

Pyramidion from the tomb of Rer (7th century BCE). Image by - George Shuklin, CC BY-SA 3.0
Pyramidion from the tomb of Rer (7th century BCE). 
Pyramidion of the pyramid of Khendjer, Egyptian Museum, Cairo. Image by- Juan R. Lazaro, CC BY 2.0
Pyramidion of the Pyramid of Khendjer, Egyptian Museum, Cairo.

According to legend, Benben was the mound that arose from the primordial waters of Nu, in which the creator god Atum ( known as Atum-Ra and then Ra, the Supreme Solar God) shaped the world. This is the creation myth of the Heliopolitan form of ancient Egyptian religion.

Reconstracted capstone from one of the pyramids of the Giza Plateau, symbolizing Benben. Image by - Jon Bodsworth, Copyrighted free use

Reconstructed capstone from one of the pyramids of the Giza Plateau, symbolizing Benben.

Restoration Project at the Red Pyramid in Dahshur. Image by- Ivrienen, CC BY 3.0
Restoration Project at the Red Pyramid in Dahshur. 

In the Egyptian Book of the ᴅᴇᴀᴅ, there is a reference to the Benben stone, which says:

‘O Atum-Khoprer, you became high on the height, you rose up as the benben-stone in the Mansion of the Phoenix at On’.

The sun temple at Heliopolis was called ‘On’ by the Egyptians.
Pyramidion of king's writer Pauty (RMO Leiden, Saqqara). Image by- rob koopman. Flickr. CC BY-SA 2.0
An example of a Pyramidion  (RMO Leiden, Saqqara).

The shape of the pyramids was modeled on the Benben. The stone is also known as a pyramidion (other examples of pyramidions have survived, and may be found in museums.) Others have referred to it as the Stone of Destiny. The mythical powers of the stone were of interest to powerful men and efforts were made to locate it. The stone was believed to have the ability to enlighten the person who was in its surroundings and was capable of producing mystical power.

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