The Statue of Liberty, an enduring symbol of American freedom, long has been wrapped in mystery. While it’s most familiar as gift from countryman France celebrating democracy, few people know about its supposed ties to ancient Egypt — and the heated debate over whether Lady Liberty was modeled after an Egyptian goddess. From rejected designs for the Suez Canal to hidden Masonic symbolism, here’s the secret history of how America’s icon could have ties to the land of pharaohs.
The Official Story: A French Gift to America
The Statue of Liberty, which was dedicated in 1886, was conceived by the French sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and built by Gustave Eiffel (of Eiffel Tower fame). It was meant to celebrate the U.S.-France alliance in the Revolutionary War and mark the abolition of slavery. Lady Liberty’s torch and tablet, inscribed “July IV, MDCCLXXVI,” embody Enlightenment ideals: liberty and democracy.
But what if her origins are not so simple?
The Egyptian Connection: Bartholdi’s Unbuilt Suez Colossus
Long before he conceived of Lady Liberty, Bartholdi offered a giant statue to the ruler of Egypt, Khedive Ismail Pasha, in 1867. The project, dubbed Egypt Carrying the Light to Asia, depicted a robed female figure holding a torch — a stark imitation of the Statue of Liberty.
Details of the Suez Proposal:
- Location: Northern entrance of the Suez Canal.
- Design: A 90-foot-tall goddess in Egyptian garb, serving as a lighthouse.
- Sources of inspiration: Such as Isis (the goddess of motherhood) and Hathor (the goddess of the sky) from ancient Egyptian deities.
- Fate: Pulled out because of Egypt’s financial woes. Bartholdi adapted the idea for America.
Bartholdi’s Notes:
“The conception of the statue [Liberty] was born in Egypt… The Suez project connected my mind with that of America.”
Side-by-Side: Lady Liberty vs. Egyptian Goddesses
| Feature | Statue of Liberty | Egyptian Goddesses |
|---|---|---|
| Crown | 7 rays (7 continents/seas) | Solar crowns (Isis/Hathor) |
| Torch | Enlightenment, freedom | Flame of knowledge (Seshat) |
| Robe | Flowing Greco-Roman stola | Sheath dresses (Isis) |
| Posture | Striding forward | Static, regal poses |
Controversial Clues:
- The name of the original Suez statue (Egypt Carrying the Light) parallels Liberty’s “Mother of Exiles” persona.
- The early sketches of Liberty shows involves her wearing an Egyptian nemes headdress, which was later changed into a crown.
Why Egypt? The Symbolism of Liberty
Bartholdi was inspired by the ancient grandeur of Egypt. In 1855, on a visit he wrote:
“The East is the homeland of the colossi… I felt the need to resurrect this art.”
Egyptomania in the 1800s:
- 7 Archaeological Boom Discoveries such as the Rosetta Stone (1799) and Luxor Obelisk (Paris, 1836) fired Western fascination.
- Egypt is the Place of Wisdom: Freemasons including Bartholdi also held Egypt in high esteem. Liberty’s torch resonates with Masonic “light of knowledge.”
- Abolitionist Connection: Egypt represented anti-slavery struggle (5. Moses liberating Hebrews).
Skeptics Push Back: Coincidence or Conspiracy?
The Egyptian connection, mainstream historians say, is exaggerated. Key arguments:
- Design evolution: Liberty’s finished shape was more inspired by Roman Libertas (the goddess of freedom) than by Egyptian gods.
- Political Context: France wanted to criticize post-war America’s slow progress on racial equality, not to celebrate Egypt.
- Bartholdi’s Words: She’s a “daughter of the Enlightenment,” not Egypt.
Dr. Edward Berenson, historian:
“The Suez idea was meant to be a springboard, not a blueprint. Liberty’s real origins lie in French republicanism.”
The Hidden Evidence: Clues in Plain Sight
- The Broken Chains: Liberty treads on broken shackles, representing emancipation. In Egypt, Isis was associated with releasing souls in the afterlife.”
- The Torch’s Dual Meaning: For Egyptians, flames led spirits; for Masons, they symbolized truth.
- Overhead Solar: Liberty’s crown rays are reminiscent of the Egyptian Sun god Ra.
Quote in Favor (Author Peter Hassrick)
“Liberty’s face has an androgynous, almost Egyptian rigidity—unlike classical Greco-Roman softness.”
Why the Controversy Matters Now
The debate is not merely academic — it reframes the way we interpret the symbols of the West:
- In fact, it is about: Cultural Appropriation: Did Europe “steal” Egyptian iconography in Africa while colonizing Africa?
- Historical Amnesia: Why isn’t Liberty’s Egyptian connection taught?
- A hybrid icon: Bartholdi’s combination of Egyptian grandeur and French ideals
Conclusion: Two Incompatible Worlds United?
Whether Bartholdi was consciously channeling Egypt or simply recycling an old idea, the Statue of Liberty represents a bridge between ancient and modern, East and West. As the historian Yasmin Sabina Khan writes:
“Liberty is a mirror. We see in her what we want to see — freedom, empire, or forgotten histories.”
