An obelisk is a tall, four-sided, tapering monument which ends in a pyramid-like shape at the top. It is usually made of stone and often inscribed with hieroglyphs. Obelisks were originally used in ancient Egypt as a symbol of the sun god Ra, and were often placed in pairs at the entrance of temples. They were also used to mark important events or to commemorate a ruler or a god. Obelisks have been used throughout history in many different cultures, and can be found in many cities around the world.
