A system of hand signs engraved on several mastabas
in Egypt discovered by Professor Hans Hickmann from the Museum of Cairo, called chironomy
were carefully analyzed, and from them he developed the various gestures shown on the scale above.
The scale is pentatonic with eleven degrees and several modes which were played on instruments as
well as sung. Ancient choir directing was originally done using hand signs or signals
which qued the choir to various tones of notes and cords.
The use of hand signs is very archaic and found on many ancient pictographs. Forms of these
hand signs are still in use today although often modified as in modern orchestra and choir conducting,
some folk dances, and signs for the deaf, etc. Ancient Greek and Egyptian scales allegedly originated
from the Phrygian and were attributed to the goddess or muse Bat, whom all credit is given for having
invented music.
Both Ancient
Egyptian and Greek music were played on stringed instruments whose tones are similar to those found in
China, and in Japan played on the kyoto.
A bust of the goddess Bat now called Hathor and relegated to Cow Goddess of the Milky Way was
in actually a Muse. A Muse was a female teacher, musician, poet, and writer; also an instructor of the
science and math of music, who inspired one's imagination and creativity through their music, poetry,
story and the arts. They wrote and sung their fantasy musical poetry of the Iliad and Odyssey at the
weekend amphitheater.
The Muse -- goddess Hathor/Bat was given all credit for inventing music. Muse is also where
the word Music originated. A few hand signs and lyres are shown below.
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