The Temple Pylon became a regular element of temple architecture in the New Kingdom.

It is, in fact, a monumental gateway composed of two inclined "towers" joined by a door approximately half their height. Many Pylons have recesses in which huge wooden masts were installed, from which brightly coloured flags could be flown.

There is much imagery associated with the pylons. They are often associated with the akhet or horizon, from which the sun rises each day between two hills. There is a hieroglyph to depict this, which clearly indicates its relationship with the temple pylon:

Theoretically, temples were aligned east-west so that the rising sun would rise between the two towers/hills: .

Another association often made is that between the towers and the goddesses Isis and Nephtys, who were the sisters of Osiris.