A flail is an agricultural tool used for threshing to separate grains from their husks. The flail symbolises the Pharaoh's role as provider of food for his people and the shepherd's crook symbolises his role as the shepherd of his people.
In spanko terms, they are called the cane and flogger.
Some years ago, when the King Tut exhibit came to Canada I, along with thousands of others, went to see the wonders found inside the young king's tomb. Afterward, I stopped at the gift shop to buy a souvenir. I'm not sure why I chose the particular item I did. Perhaps it was the inexpensive price; possibly it was the erotic nature of the item. I selected a small blue and gold pin of the crook and flail.
I wore the pin on my grey winter coat for several years before it found a new home in my dresser drawer. Seeing King Tut's picture on a recent issue of the National Geographic prompted me to search for the pin. The blue enamel has worn off so the crook looks less like a candy cane and more like a serious implement.
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