Ancient Egyptians Crossdressed!!

[Josephine]

I have always had an interest in ancient Egypt, so I was watching a documentary on the Documentary channel. It was called the Pyramid Code, and there are like 5 parts. The one I was watching was about the way the Egyptian males cross dressed to emulate woman. According to writings from as far back as 3,000 B.C. the men would dress in woman's clothing and wear makeup, wigs, etc. If fact, if you look at their paintings and art, men are always wearing makeup! According to what they believed was that a man MUST express his female side in order to elevate to the next level of awareness and spiritual advancement. Only when he reached that level would he be a whole being. Thought perhaps some here would find that an interesting fact. What ya think? Modern man is way behind the times if you ask my opinion!!

[Cierra]

Very interesting gf! I've read that ancient turkish males who at the time worshiped Female dieties might decide to castrate themselves. Then running through the streets would toss their severed privates through a random house window. Whose occupants were then obliged to help him physically recover, dress him as a woman, and escort him back to the temple to finish his life as a eunuch servant for the Goddess.
Even more fascinating was a story I briefly heard about but have never investigated, involving a 19th century man dressed as a woman in the old west that was married to U.S. cavalrymen at least twice. Supposedly she was only found to be a he when he died of pnuemonia and refused medical examinations! Gee I wonder why? Wish I could find out more as to the authenticity of this heresay? LOL!!
Happy New Year, Cierra

[Josephine]

I find your response rather humorous, but also totally irrelevant to my post.
Josephine

[Beth Mays]

I really do not think for a single click that WE are the first ones to crossdress... History has many places where both sexes crossdress.

[Ayame]

While Egyptian men did wear make up and wigs it was not to emulate women. They did it for various medical and spiritual reasons. They did however emulate women for spiritual reasons, however, the make up and wigs were something that all sexes did, so to us it might seem like cross dressing, but to them it was a societal norm. They mostly used green and black eye makeup, the green was thought to be an aphrodisiac, and the black they wore for spiritual protection and they thought it helped their eyesight. As for wigs they wore them to protect themselves from the sun and bugs, however, they did have some ritualistic uses as well. But they were very tolerant of mixing male and female appearances, after all one of there pharaohs Akhenaten was a male that had breasts and wide hips from a genetic problem and he ruled over the country no problem.

[docrobbysherry]

Yes, but remember! All those things happened BS!

"Before Sin", was invented!

[Pythos]

I like the idea that emulating the other sex was a way to enlightenment.

I personally do not think the soul has a sex. It just is. (gee where have I said that before?) I consider my love as near to perfection as I think I will ever meet when it comes to sex. I think the perfect being when it comes to that is the true hermaphrodite. I know that may sound odd but really I do think that. Though there is not reason for the soul to have a sex.

My own style preference has helped me have a better understanding of the work that goes into looking beautiful (skin deep only however). It takes me about 1/2 an hour to get my make up. Some outfits take a bit of work to get into. Putting on fine pantyhose takes quite a bit of paying attention otherwise I can result in damage and or getting them on wrong.

I also think "modern" western men are several steps behind in many many ways..

[LeaP]

I personally do not think the soul has a sex. It just is.

Now there I was, reading along in my little bubble when you came along and popped it. (good job!)

I realized that I always have thought the soul was either male or female (LDS theology 101) and never thought to question it! It just amazes me at times that we don't question the most obvious propositions. That's doubly interesting to me because I never took the concepts of male and female in theology in any literal sense - i.e., so why would I also not question the male/female nature of the soul?

On the thread topic, I don't think the expression of femininity per se makes us whole. What you've described in the documentary is sort of a mechanical emulation of femininity in order to evoke something spiritual. It sounds stilted.

We have only recently reached a rough parity with ancient Egypt (in the West, anyway) with respect to women's social and legal standing.

Lea

[Josephine]

While Egyptian men did wear make up and wigs it was not to emulate women.
Actually, according to the manuscripts that were found, they Were emulating women.
Josephine

[Crysten]

Don't confuse crossdressing (as we currently define it) with ancient Egyptian religious fervor, and the cultural norms of that society. I believe they are different beasts entirely. I am, however, going to stipulate in my will that I want to be in full makeup and wearing a dress and heels when they lay me to rest in my pyramid.

[Karren H]

They never showed that on StartGate SG-1!!

I'm thinking something was lost in translation from hieroglyphics.. Bust since everyone wore togas anyway... The women's togas must of had a little extra fringe on it? Opps... Grabbed my wifes toga by mistake? Again!

[KaTanya]

Do you expect anything less from the civilization that gave us beer?

I'll ahve to check it out.

[Ayame]

Actually, according to the manuscripts that were found, they Were emulating women.
Josephine

You seem to be giving bias information to promote your point, that is inaccurate. You didn't even finish reading what I wrote. The show you talk about says that when a man wears a women's wig, it shows they have a high status and that men had their own wigs as well. As for the men having to to embrace their feminine side, women had to embrace their masculine as well.

They are talking about wigs here from the show from 5:20-5:55 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTbvugz5XMw&feature=related

Also they talk about the masculine and feminine in this as well and feminine didn't mean what it meant today. It gives a list such as magic, rituals, and cycles of time being feminine or matriarchal.

:2c:

[Debutante]

Yes, as did males in India, Palestine/Israel, Asia Minor, Rome....
men devoted to the Goddess of various names (Cybele, Isis, Asherah, etc) who felt a calling to the goddess, and who
maybe were TS, CD or TG, had a somewhat defined and accepted role in those cultures to emulate women so as to be closer to the Goddess.
They became devoted priestesses to the Goddess.
I felt that in my own live. With my wife, a Goddess woman, we are exploring those practices and devotions, discovering a new spiritual path
to the Goddess together.
I am working with the Fellowship of Isis who are open and accepting in this...
I am happy to discuss all this with anyone....

blessings...........

[Kristy_K]

There are a lot of things that people did in the past that are not accepted today. I think the reason why they aren't acceptable today is called Politics.

[rebekkadg]

There are a lot of things that people did in the past that are not accepted today. I think the reason why they aren't acceptable today is called Politics.

Well, politics in a way. Makeup and wigs were accepted male accessories up until the early 1800s. The most extremely wealthy men would most likely wear more makeup than their female counterparts. Then the French Revelution happened. During the French Revelution there was as huge outlash against the wealthy on a level that had never been seen before or since. Being wealthy was a death sentence literally and being seen wearing a wig or makeup was just asking to get executed. Both genders for a period after went for a complete drab style afterwards. France back then set the fashion standards for the world (and for a long time after too) so everyone followed. The females eventually got to wearing everything again fairly early on since the men (the ones who had power in that day in age) were the primary targets of the hatred. Men's fashion on the other hand just never recovered it stayed drab so long that it just became the accepted norm and makeup and wigs became more and more associated with women only.

[Josephine]

There are a lot of things that people did in the past that are not accepted today. I think the reason why they aren't acceptable today is called Politics.
This is what I was trying to get at. It was acceptable for a male to wear wigs, woman's clothing, to emulate a female in whatever way was possible. The point is that mankind thinks it is the most modern in history, but perhaps there were civilizations that were far more advanced than we give them credit for. IMO, past civilizations had a more positive and better "political" outlook than ours does now. Especially if you consider that you could be stoned to death in the middle east for what we are.
Josephine

[Lorileah]

Actually, according to the manuscripts that were found, they Were emulating women.
Josephine

So they had drag shows back then? I believe if you look into it there was much more than just the clothes involved. You may also find that there were a certain number who did not choose this lifestyle but were chosen for it.

[Josephine]

Your right Lorileah, there was much more than just the clothes. It had to do with raising your level of understanding, knowledge, spirituality, as well as social standing. I have not found anywhere that says it was pushed on people that did not want it, as most all did desire it. If nothing else, for the social status. According to what they are claiming, it was an honor. It was not just to emulate looking like a woman, but being able to combine the male and female to make a complete person. I do believe that cd'ing has enabled me to expand my horizons, to feel more whole. I don't think they had drag shows, but then again, who knows, maybe they did.

[Kristy_K]

So they had drag shows back then? I believe if you look into it there was much more than just the clothes involved. You may also find that there were a certain number who did not choose this lifestyle but were chosen for it.

Now this has become an interesting discussion. Without fighting.

There is also some cultures who think the male who shows a feminine side are special people and are honored as such.. And treated special.

USA is not one of them places.

Hugs,
Kristy