Dendera Temple is a relatively late one. Built at the time of the Ptolomeic Dynasty, Egypt was now under Greco-Roman rule. Iconography weaves together the cross cultural influences of Egypt, Rome and Greece.

The Dendera zodiac is circular which was quite a radical departure from rectangular layouts more usually found in Egyptian art. It emphasizes how time is cyclical, and how human existence aligns with these cyclical cosmic rhythms.

The Zodiac of Dendera is both an artistic marvel and a sophisticated astronomical tool. At its center, celestial figures represent constellations. Deities also appear in their human and animal forms. Surrounding this are the same 12 zodiac signs we are familiar with today, which were introduced to Egypt by the Greeks.

The signs sit among the Decans, star groups that made it possible for the priests of the temple to keep time. They used the imfomation generated by the astronomy of the zodiac for timekeeping important agricultural and religious events, but also for astrology. Each sign of the zodiac was divided up into three decans, which therefore divided the night sky into 36 equal parts. Each decan then was associated with a specific star or group of stars.

The outer ring pf the Dendera zodiac features depictions of Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn—as well as the star Sirius. The heliacal rising of Siruis marked the inundation of the Nile which would flood soon and return fertility back to Egypt.

The zodiac is striking showcase and the ancient Egyptians tenacity in observing the planets and interpreting movements of stars. Their understanding of celestial mechanics was profound.