Continuing with this recent fascination of Egypt antiquity, I now turn my attention to the rich topic of Egyptian Mythology. It is a subject that has always intrigued me in the likes of Greek, Roman, or Nordic mythology. It is without question one of the earliest forms of practiced religion that influenced many great empires to follow. Egyptian mythology demonstrates a wide array of stories, gods, heroes, and beliefs that essentially provide a look into ancient Egyptian society.
Creation Myth
While there are various versions of the creation myth throughout Ancient Egypt's history it still shares common similarities. The basis belief is that of "ma-at", the transition from chaos to order. It is generally believed that before creation the universe was a lifeless void of dark water and chaos referred to as Nu. However the great god, Atum (also known as Ptah) arose from a pyramid shaped mound known as the ben-ben to create life. He gave birth to Shu, the god of air, and Tefnut, the god of the waters who established the principles of life and order.
Shu and Tefnut left their father to further explore the new universe which made their father sad, and he sent an eye in search of them. Shu and Tefnut later returned their farther's eye back to him, and overcome with joy Atum shed tears that brought life to the universe. Shu and Tefnut mated to create the earth god, Geb and the sky goddess Nut to oversee the new life that had been created. Geb and Nut mated together to produce the four major gods of Egyptian mythology; Osiris, the god of fertility, Isis the goddess of motherhood, Set, the god of chaos; and Nephthys, the goddess of death. These nine gods made up the primary deities of Egyptian mythology known as the Ennead which was first practiced in the city of Heliopolis.
I will mostly focus on the Ennead version of Egyptian mythology, however think it is important to note the various other versions. Egypt was after all a vast region with a very long history that was constantly evolving. The city of Hermopolis practiced a different creation myth in what was known as the Ogdad. This consisted of eight gods, including the dark void that was Nu, took part in a major upheaval which brought upon the aforementioned ben-ben pyramid-mound, the rising of a sun, and thus life to the universe.
The ancient city of Thebes put more emphasis on the god Amun, whom was a member of the Ogdad and believed to be the greatest of all gods. Their belief was that it was Amun who created the universe and all other gods mentioned in the Ogdad and the Ennead were merely aspects of Amun. This belief was practiced later in the timeline of Ancient Egypt, and did not take shape until the establishment of the New Kingdom in 1500 BCs when Thebes became the center of Egypt.
Osiris Myth
One of the most influential of the Egyptian myths is the story pertaining to the god Osiris. He was the eldest of the earth god's 4 children, and administered over mankind with his sister Isis. He was the utmost protector of righteousness and enacted the harmonious principles of "ma-at" in all that he did. However his brother Set grew jealous of Osiris' glory and had him killed (thru various accounts) and placed his body in a coffin in the Nile. Set represented chaos and disorder, and went on to assume the kingship over everything.
Meanwhile Isis refused to accept her brother's death, and was joined by her sister Nephthys to search for Osiris' body. With the help of other funerary deities such as Annubis and Thoth, the sisters are able to find Osiris' body and begin restoring it thru magical healing powers. The restoration of Osiris's dead body becomes the basis for Egyptian burial practices often associated with mummies. His restoration also serves as yet another example of Egyptian's belief in the after-life or reincarnation.
Following the restoration of Osiris' body, his evil brother Set grows worried Osiris may return to power and is able to convince their sister Nepththys to tell him where the body is located. Set then has Osiris' body mutilated and the parts scattered all across Egypt, which later become holy sites. Once again Isis and Nephthys search the lands of Egypt for their brother and are able to collect and re-assemble his parts (all but his penis which was eaten by a fish). Isis is able to magically create a new penis for Osiris and together they mate to create their son, Horus. Although Osiris is returned to life, he is unable to return to the world since he is incomplete and must thenceforth rule the underworld.
Upon the birth of Horus, Isis must travel and hide her son from her wicked brother, Set. The young Horus undergoes many obstacles throughout his childhood always hunted by Set, yet also protected by other magical deities. In his adulthood Horus is finally able to challenge his uncle Set for the throne. Through various accounts the conflict wages on for many years and ultimately Horus is able to defeat Set and banish him from Egypt. (Some accounts indicate that the kingdom is divided, others that Set is banished to the deserts, while others that Set is entirely destroyed). However in the end Horus rules the kingdom of Egypt with the counsel of his mother Isis, his aunt Nepththys, and various other righteous deities.
The Sun God
By 2500 BC one of the most important deities in ancient Egyptian mythology was that of Ra, the sun god. It was believed that he controlled the sun, which was the ultimate power and source of life. He was worshiped as the king of the gods and mankind, and as the creator of everything (perhaps in the likes of Atum). He is usually depicted with the body of a human, head of a falcon, and a solar disc with a cobra (which represents his deadly "Eye of Ra").
There are many accounts of which Ra would send out his eye to punish those who committed wrongdoings and plotted against him. His eye took on the form of a goddess who often had a mind of her own and was often considered a separate deity from Ra. The Eye of Ra is the female counterpart to Ra who acts as his lover, protector, and his utmost muscle. Separated they are still formidable deities, whilst together they are the most powerful beings in the universe.
Another interesting aspect of this myth concerning Ra, is the daily journey of the sun. It is believed that each morning Ra rises to power and reaches his full strength in the afternoon when the sun is shining it's brightest. Throughout his daily journey Ra must undergo various obstacles such his arch-rival Apep, a serpent god who represents disorder. His journey is aided by other important deities whom become the stars at night. At sunset Ra enter's the under-realm, known as the "Duat", where he re-unites with Osiris, the god of the dead. This merging of the two gods represents the balance of life-and-death and the daily cycle of life. In a broader sense it also represents the basis of reincarnation which was a very important aspect of ancient Egyptian belief.
Famous Egyptian Gods
Atum: (Also known as Ptah or Tem) He is considered the god of creation, who arose from the ben-ben pyramid in the dark void of Nu, to create life. He fathered Shu and Tefnut and his tears created mankind.
Shu: He is the son of Atum and brother to Tefnut. He is associated with the wind, the air, peace, and lions. He explored the new universe with his sister Tefnut, and fathered Geb and Nut. He is often represented as a human with a feather on top his hand.
Tefnut: (Also known as Tphenis) She is the daughter of Atum and the sister to Shu. She is associated with water, moisture, dew, and rain. She gave birth to Geb and Nut. She is often represented as a lioness with a sun disk sitting on top her head.
Geb: He is the son of Shu and Tefnut and the father to Osiris, Isis, Set, and Nephthys. He is associated as the earth god, overseeing the land, the crops, vegetation, earthquakes, snakes, and fertility. He is often represented as a human with a goose sitting on top of his head.
Nut: She is the daughter of Shu and Tefnut and the mother to Osiris, Isis, Set, and Nephthys. She is associated as the goddess of the sky, the stars, the cosmos, and astronomy. She is often represented as a woman carrying a water pot on top her head, or depicted as a cow with her children suckling upon her.
Osiris: He is the eldest son of Geb and Nut, and one of the most well known of the Egyptian Gods. Who served as king over the universe with his sister, Isis until he was murdered by Set. He thus became the king of the underworld. Osiris is associated with the afterlife, death, resurrection, fertility, agriculture, vegetation, and life. He is depicted as a kingly man wearing a crown with green skin that represents rebirth.
Isis: She is the sister to Osiris, who reigned as queen alongside her brother until he was murdered. She then went on a quest to recover Osiris' body, assist him in resurrection, and give birth to their child Horus. She is associated as the mother goddess yet also plays a significant role in funeral practices for her role in aiding Osiris' resurrection.
Set: He is the wicked brother of Osiris, often associated as the god of chaos. He grew jealous of his brother's righteous reign and had him murdered so that he could rule. Set was later challenged and defeated by his nephew, the son of Osiris and Isis, Horus. Set is associated with disorder, violence, fire, storms, envy, trickery, and all other forms of wrongdoing. He is represented with the head of a aardvark often referred to as the set animal, an evil beast.
Nephthys: She is the youngest sister of Osiris, often associated as the goddess of mourning. She helped her sister Isis search and restore the dead body of their brother, however she also displayed weakness by telling her evil brother Set where the body was hidden. She is also associated with funeral rights alongside her sister Isis, as well as the rivers, the night, service, childbirth, protection, the home, the hearth, coffins, burial, and the dead. She is depicted with the body of a woman carrying a house on her head, or as a falcon mourning for those that have passed.
Horus: He is the son of Osiris and Isis, who later rose up to avenge his father and defeat the wicked usurper Set. He is considered among the most significant of the Egyptian Gods for his reign as king and over-looker of the skies. He was considered the guardian and protector of Ancient Egyptian society and his Eye of Horus served as a symbol of his ever-watching protection. He is often depicted with the body of man, dressed in the robes and crown of a king, and the head of a falcon.
Ra: Although he is not considered a part of the original Ennead gods, he became one of the central deities in the New Kingdom of the 25th century. He is associated as the king of gods, ruling over the earth, the sky, the underworld, and most especially the sun. His daily journey from morning to night represent the journey of mankind from life into death. His enforcer is also his mistress known as the Eye of Ra, who brings swift justice upon those in the wrong. He is often depicted with the body of a human, the head of a falcon, and a sun-disk wrapped around a cobra which represents his female counterpart, the Eye of Ra.
Annubis: His parents are questionable often associated as the child of Set and Nephthys, the child of Osiris, or the child of the sun-god Ra. However one thing remains constant is his association to the underworld. Annubis played a crucial role in the Osiris Myth, helping Isis and Nephthy's restore and resurrect his dead body back to life. Annubis has become of the most recognizable gods in Egyptian mythology associated with everything to do with death; the afterlife, tombs, cemeteries, embalming, mummies, and so forth. He has a very iconic portrayal with the body of a human and the head of a black canine.
Thoth: His parents and origins are unknown, yet alongside Annubis, he played a crucial role in the Osiris Myth. He was able to use magic to help Isis and Nepthys revive the dead body of Osiris. In other stories he is regarded as the leader of the Ogdad, also the god of the moon. He is often associated with wisdom, magic, science, writing, hieroglyphics, and the dead. His wife is Maat, the goddess of balance and his daughter is Seshat, the leopard goddess of writing and knowledge.
Amun: (Also known as Amun-Ra with his infusion of the sun-god) He is not associated with the original Ennead, however in later ancient Egypt, during the New Kingdom years, he became viewed as the father god. He represented a fusion of polytheistic gods into one central monotheistic deity. He was considered the god of all gods, yet also a champion for the poor and spirituality. He is often represented in a kingly fashion with a crown of plumes, robes, and holding the ankh (symbol for life). He is sometimes compared to Zeus in Greek Mythology.
Mut: She is the wife of Amun-ra, and regarded as the mother goddess during the New Kingdom. She is also the mother of Khonso, god of the moon. She is represented as a royal woman wearing a crown and a vulture upon her head and carrying the iconic ankh symbol.
While there are various versions of the creation myth throughout Ancient Egypt's history it still shares common similarities. The basis belief is that of "ma-at", the transition from chaos to order. It is generally believed that before creation the universe was a lifeless void of dark water and chaos referred to as Nu. However the great god, Atum (also known as Ptah) arose from a pyramid shaped mound known as the ben-ben to create life. He gave birth to Shu, the god of air, and Tefnut, the god of the waters who established the principles of life and order.
I will mostly focus on the Ennead version of Egyptian mythology, however think it is important to note the various other versions. Egypt was after all a vast region with a very long history that was constantly evolving. The city of Hermopolis practiced a different creation myth in what was known as the Ogdad. This consisted of eight gods, including the dark void that was Nu, took part in a major upheaval which brought upon the aforementioned ben-ben pyramid-mound, the rising of a sun, and thus life to the universe.
The ancient city of Thebes put more emphasis on the god Amun, whom was a member of the Ogdad and believed to be the greatest of all gods. Their belief was that it was Amun who created the universe and all other gods mentioned in the Ogdad and the Ennead were merely aspects of Amun. This belief was practiced later in the timeline of Ancient Egypt, and did not take shape until the establishment of the New Kingdom in 1500 BCs when Thebes became the center of Egypt.
Osiris Myth
One of the most influential of the Egyptian myths is the story pertaining to the god Osiris. He was the eldest of the earth god's 4 children, and administered over mankind with his sister Isis. He was the utmost protector of righteousness and enacted the harmonious principles of "ma-at" in all that he did. However his brother Set grew jealous of Osiris' glory and had him killed (thru various accounts) and placed his body in a coffin in the Nile. Set represented chaos and disorder, and went on to assume the kingship over everything.
Following the restoration of Osiris' body, his evil brother Set grows worried Osiris may return to power and is able to convince their sister Nepththys to tell him where the body is located. Set then has Osiris' body mutilated and the parts scattered all across Egypt, which later become holy sites. Once again Isis and Nephthys search the lands of Egypt for their brother and are able to collect and re-assemble his parts (all but his penis which was eaten by a fish). Isis is able to magically create a new penis for Osiris and together they mate to create their son, Horus. Although Osiris is returned to life, he is unable to return to the world since he is incomplete and must thenceforth rule the underworld.
Upon the birth of Horus, Isis must travel and hide her son from her wicked brother, Set. The young Horus undergoes many obstacles throughout his childhood always hunted by Set, yet also protected by other magical deities. In his adulthood Horus is finally able to challenge his uncle Set for the throne. Through various accounts the conflict wages on for many years and ultimately Horus is able to defeat Set and banish him from Egypt. (Some accounts indicate that the kingdom is divided, others that Set is banished to the deserts, while others that Set is entirely destroyed). However in the end Horus rules the kingdom of Egypt with the counsel of his mother Isis, his aunt Nepththys, and various other righteous deities.
The Sun God
By 2500 BC one of the most important deities in ancient Egyptian mythology was that of Ra, the sun god. It was believed that he controlled the sun, which was the ultimate power and source of life. He was worshiped as the king of the gods and mankind, and as the creator of everything (perhaps in the likes of Atum). He is usually depicted with the body of a human, head of a falcon, and a solar disc with a cobra (which represents his deadly "Eye of Ra").
Another interesting aspect of this myth concerning Ra, is the daily journey of the sun. It is believed that each morning Ra rises to power and reaches his full strength in the afternoon when the sun is shining it's brightest. Throughout his daily journey Ra must undergo various obstacles such his arch-rival Apep, a serpent god who represents disorder. His journey is aided by other important deities whom become the stars at night. At sunset Ra enter's the under-realm, known as the "Duat", where he re-unites with Osiris, the god of the dead. This merging of the two gods represents the balance of life-and-death and the daily cycle of life. In a broader sense it also represents the basis of reincarnation which was a very important aspect of ancient Egyptian belief.
Famous Egyptian Gods
Atum: (Also known as Ptah or Tem) He is considered the god of creation, who arose from the ben-ben pyramid in the dark void of Nu, to create life. He fathered Shu and Tefnut and his tears created mankind.Shu: He is the son of Atum and brother to Tefnut. He is associated with the wind, the air, peace, and lions. He explored the new universe with his sister Tefnut, and fathered Geb and Nut. He is often represented as a human with a feather on top his hand.
Tefnut: (Also known as Tphenis) She is the daughter of Atum and the sister to Shu. She is associated with water, moisture, dew, and rain. She gave birth to Geb and Nut. She is often represented as a lioness with a sun disk sitting on top her head.
Geb: He is the son of Shu and Tefnut and the father to Osiris, Isis, Set, and Nephthys. He is associated as the earth god, overseeing the land, the crops, vegetation, earthquakes, snakes, and fertility. He is often represented as a human with a goose sitting on top of his head.
Nut: She is the daughter of Shu and Tefnut and the mother to Osiris, Isis, Set, and Nephthys. She is associated as the goddess of the sky, the stars, the cosmos, and astronomy. She is often represented as a woman carrying a water pot on top her head, or depicted as a cow with her children suckling upon her.Osiris: He is the eldest son of Geb and Nut, and one of the most well known of the Egyptian Gods. Who served as king over the universe with his sister, Isis until he was murdered by Set. He thus became the king of the underworld. Osiris is associated with the afterlife, death, resurrection, fertility, agriculture, vegetation, and life. He is depicted as a kingly man wearing a crown with green skin that represents rebirth.
Isis: She is the sister to Osiris, who reigned as queen alongside her brother until he was murdered. She then went on a quest to recover Osiris' body, assist him in resurrection, and give birth to their child Horus. She is associated as the mother goddess yet also plays a significant role in funeral practices for her role in aiding Osiris' resurrection.
Set: He is the wicked brother of Osiris, often associated as the god of chaos. He grew jealous of his brother's righteous reign and had him murdered so that he could rule. Set was later challenged and defeated by his nephew, the son of Osiris and Isis, Horus. Set is associated with disorder, violence, fire, storms, envy, trickery, and all other forms of wrongdoing. He is represented with the head of a aardvark often referred to as the set animal, an evil beast. Nephthys: She is the youngest sister of Osiris, often associated as the goddess of mourning. She helped her sister Isis search and restore the dead body of their brother, however she also displayed weakness by telling her evil brother Set where the body was hidden. She is also associated with funeral rights alongside her sister Isis, as well as the rivers, the night, service, childbirth, protection, the home, the hearth, coffins, burial, and the dead. She is depicted with the body of a woman carrying a house on her head, or as a falcon mourning for those that have passed.
Horus: He is the son of Osiris and Isis, who later rose up to avenge his father and defeat the wicked usurper Set. He is considered among the most significant of the Egyptian Gods for his reign as king and over-looker of the skies. He was considered the guardian and protector of Ancient Egyptian society and his Eye of Horus served as a symbol of his ever-watching protection. He is often depicted with the body of man, dressed in the robes and crown of a king, and the head of a falcon.Ra: Although he is not considered a part of the original Ennead gods, he became one of the central deities in the New Kingdom of the 25th century. He is associated as the king of gods, ruling over the earth, the sky, the underworld, and most especially the sun. His daily journey from morning to night represent the journey of mankind from life into death. His enforcer is also his mistress known as the Eye of Ra, who brings swift justice upon those in the wrong. He is often depicted with the body of a human, the head of a falcon, and a sun-disk wrapped around a cobra which represents his female counterpart, the Eye of Ra.
Annubis: His parents are questionable often associated as the child of Set and Nephthys, the child of Osiris, or the child of the sun-god Ra. However one thing remains constant is his association to the underworld. Annubis played a crucial role in the Osiris Myth, helping Isis and Nephthy's restore and resurrect his dead body back to life. Annubis has become of the most recognizable gods in Egyptian mythology associated with everything to do with death; the afterlife, tombs, cemeteries, embalming, mummies, and so forth. He has a very iconic portrayal with the body of a human and the head of a black canine.Thoth: His parents and origins are unknown, yet alongside Annubis, he played a crucial role in the Osiris Myth. He was able to use magic to help Isis and Nepthys revive the dead body of Osiris. In other stories he is regarded as the leader of the Ogdad, also the god of the moon. He is often associated with wisdom, magic, science, writing, hieroglyphics, and the dead. His wife is Maat, the goddess of balance and his daughter is Seshat, the leopard goddess of writing and knowledge.
Amun: (Also known as Amun-Ra with his infusion of the sun-god) He is not associated with the original Ennead, however in later ancient Egypt, during the New Kingdom years, he became viewed as the father god. He represented a fusion of polytheistic gods into one central monotheistic deity. He was considered the god of all gods, yet also a champion for the poor and spirituality. He is often represented in a kingly fashion with a crown of plumes, robes, and holding the ankh (symbol for life). He is sometimes compared to Zeus in Greek Mythology.Mut: She is the wife of Amun-ra, and regarded as the mother goddess during the New Kingdom. She is also the mother of Khonso, god of the moon. She is represented as a royal woman wearing a crown and a vulture upon her head and carrying the iconic ankh symbol.
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