Gender and representation of the major figure

Over two hundred and fifty examples of marsh scenes are attributed to the Old Kingdom, yet there are only fourteen preserved scenes depicting a female major figure. he majority of marsh scenes are found in tombs belonging to male officials, although this may be due to the limited number of preserved tombs belonging to women in this period.1130 Furthermore, women are only shown engaged in certain marsh activities, namely, the zss wsd ceremony and a pleasure cruise.1131 Distinct differences in the representation of each gender in a zSs wsd scene are also apparent. For example, female major figures are only ever shown grasping stems from the thicket whereas male major figures often hold one papyrus stem in the thicket and a ‘detached’ stem above their head.1132 Male figures are predominantly depicted in a striding posture (with their front foot fiat on the boat deck and their back foot raised to the ball of the foot),1133 while females in a zss wsd scene are represented wearing a tight fitting dress standing with their legs placed irmly together.1134 However, it should be conceded that it is difficult to assess whether these specific modes of gender representation indicate any difference in the zss wsd ritual for male and females or is simply evidence of decorum in Egyptian art.1135