8. Sanctuary of Sokar
Seen together over the door and below the window is the image of a herring or phoenix-type bird of creation and a one-winged, falcon-like bird. Because the falcon bird is associated with the burial sites of the Giza Plateau and because Sokar is the Old Kingdom form of Horus, I call this building the Sanctuary of Sokar. The building faces east, as do most of the structures in the area. The base of the building widens with rectangular niches along the base that reminds one of sphinx paws. The presence of the two birds on this building brings up connections to the creation mythology. Thoth the architect who defines the universe with measurements, the bird that lands on the primordial mound and Re-Horakhty the bird in the east that is equal to the morning sun, or Sokar who is guardian of the tombs.
