Overview of Egyptian mythology
Egyptian mythology is a complex system of beliefs and stories that were an integral part of ancient Egyptian religion and culture. The mythology of ancient Egypt consists of a vast collection of myths, legends, and religious texts that describe the world, its creation, and the many gods and goddesses that the ancient Egyptians believed ruled over it. These deities were believed to have the power to control natural phenomena and were worshipped by the ancient Egyptians to ensure their prosperity and survival.
Egyptian mythology is important for several reasons. First, it provides insights into the ancient Egyptian worldview and religious beliefs, revealing the ways in which the ancient Egyptians understood and interacted with the world around them. Second, it is an essential part of the cultural heritage of Egypt and has influenced many aspects of its society, from its art and literature to its language and architecture. Egyptian mythology has had a lasting impact on Western culture, inspiring countless works of art, literature, and film and continuing to fascinate and captivate people around the world.
The origins of Egyptian mythology
The origins of Egyptian mythology are difficult to trace precisely, as many of its earliest forms and beliefs have been lost over time. However, some scholars believe that Egyptian mythology may have developed from earlier religious and mythological traditions in the Nile Valley region, dating back to the pre-dynastic period of Egyptian history (c. 5000-3100 BCE).
As ancient Egyptian civilization developed and evolved, its mythology became more complex and sophisticated, incorporating elements of other cultures and religions with which the ancient Egyptians came into contact. For example, during the New Kingdom period (c. 1550-1070 BCE), the worship of the sun god Ra became increasingly prominent and influenced many other deities in the Egyptian pantheon.
Throughout its history, Egyptian mythology was closely intertwined with the religious practices of ancient Egyptian society, and its development was shaped by political, social, and cultural changes over time. Despite this, many elements of Egyptian mythology remained consistent over the centuries, reflecting enduring themes and beliefs about the nature of the universe and the role of humanity within it.
The creation myth in Egyptian mythology
The creation myth in Egyptian mythology tells the story of how the world and the gods came into being. The myth is complex and varied, with many different versions and variations that evolved over time. However, there are some common elements and themes that are found in many versions of the creation myth.
According to the most widely accepted version of the creation myth, the world began as an infinite expanse of water called the “Nun.” Out of the Nun emerged a mound of earth called the “Benben,” which was believed to be the first land in the world. From this mound, the creator god Atum emerged, who was often depicted as a human figure with a double crown on his head.
Atum then created the god Shu, who represented the element of air, and the goddess Tefnut, who represented the element of moisture. Together, Shu and Tefnut produced the earth and sky, which were personified as the god Geb and the goddess Nut. Geb and Nut had four children: Osiris, Isis, Set, and Nephthys.
The creation myth also explains the cycle of life and death in Egyptian mythology. According to the myth, the sun god Ra travelled across the sky each day and descended into the underworld each night. In the underworld, Ra battled a serpent named Apophis, who represented chaos and disorder. Ra was able to defeat Apophis and rise again each morning, symbolizing the triumph of order over chaos and the renewal of life.
The creation myth in Egyptian mythology was not only a story of how the world came into being, but also a way of understanding the natural world and the place of humanity within it. It was a central component of ancient Egyptian religion and was celebrated in numerous religious festivals and rituals throughout Egyptian history.
Important gods and goddesses of Egyptian Mythology
Egyptian mythology features a vast pantheon of gods and goddesses, each with their own roles, associations, and attributes. Listed below are just a few examples of the most well-known deities. There are countless others with their own unique stories and associations. The importance of these deities varied over time and in different regions of Egypt, and some gods and goddesses were more prominent in certain periods than in others.
Ra
Ra (also spelled Re) is one of the most important gods in Egyptian mythology, and was considered the king of the gods and the god of the sun. Ra was believed to be the creator of the world and the source of all life, and his worship was one of the most important aspects of ancient Egyptian religion.
Ra was often depicted as a falcon-headed man wearing a sun disk on his head and a serpent around his neck. He was associated with the sun, and was believed to travel across the sky in a solar barge, rising in the east each morning and setting in the west each evening. Ra was also associated with the cycle of life and death, and was believed to die and be reborn each day.
Ra was worshiped throughout ancient Egyptian history, but his importance varied over time. During the Old Kingdom period (c. 2686-2181 BCE), Ra was one of the most important gods in the Egyptian pantheon and was often combined with other deities in composite forms. During the New Kingdom period (c. 1550-1070 BCE), the worship of Ra became increasingly prominent, and many other gods and goddesses were assimilated into his cult.
One of the most famous myths associated with Ra is the story of how he grew old and weak and was challenged by his mortal enemies, the serpent Apophis and the god of chaos, Set. In this story, Ra was assisted by the goddess Isis, who was able to trick Ra’s enemies and help him maintain his power.
Osiris
Osiris is also one of the most important gods in Egyptian mythology and was the god of the afterlife, resurrection, and fertility. He was often depicted as a mummified man with green skin and a pharaoh’s beard, holding a crook and flail.
According to myth, Osiris was the first pharaoh of Egypt and was murdered by his jealous brother Set, who dismembered his body and scattered the pieces throughout the land. Osiris’ wife and sister, Isis, was able to find and reassemble his body, and with the help of the god Thoth, was able to bring him back to life. However, Osiris could no longer rule the land of the living, and instead became the ruler of the underworld.
As the god of the afterlife, Osiris was responsible for judging the souls of the dead and ensuring that they received their rightful place in the afterlife. He was often depicted as a benevolent ruler, presiding over the “Fields of Aaru,” a paradise reserved for those who had lived a good life. In art and literature, Osiris was often shown as a compassionate and merciful deity, offering forgiveness and redemption to the souls of the dead.
Osiris was a widely worshiped deity in ancient Egypt, and his cult was one of the most popular and long-lasting of all the Egyptian gods. The annual Osiris festivals, which involved processions, music, and offerings, were among the most important and widespread religious events in ancient Egypt. The worship of Osiris also spread beyond Egypt, and was popular in other parts of the ancient world, such as Greece and Rome.
Isis
Isis was worshipped throughout ancient Egypt. She was the goddess of magic, motherhood, fertility, and healing, and was often depicted as a woman with cow horns and a solar disk on her head, or as a woman with wings.
Isis played a key role in many of the most important myths of Egyptian mythology. She was the wife and sister of Osiris, and the mother of Horus. After Osiris was murdered by his jealous brother Set, Isis was able to find and reassemble his body, and with the help of the god Thoth, was able to bring him back to life. This story of resurrection and rebirth made Osiris and Isis among the most popular gods in ancient Egypt.
Isis was also associated with healing and was often invoked in magical spells and incantations. Her name was thought to have been derived from the Egyptian word “aus,” which means “throne,” and she was sometimes depicted sitting on a throne with the infant Horus on her lap. This image of Isis and Horus became a popular motif in Egyptian art and was adopted by other cultures, including the Greeks and Romans.
In addition to her role in myth and religion, Isis was also a symbol of motherhood and femininity in ancient Egypt. She was often depicted with a headdress of cow horns, which represented her association with the goddess Hathor, and was sometimes depicted nursing the infant Horus.
Horus
Horus was the god of the sky and the protector of the pharaohs. He was often depicted as a falcon or a man with a falcon head, and was associated with the sun and the moon.
According to myth, Horus was the son of Osiris and Isis, and was born after his father’s murder by his uncle Set. Horus was raised in secret by his mother, and when he reached adulthood, he battled with Set for control of Egypt. In this battle, Horus lost an eye, which was later restored by the god Thoth.
Horus was closely associated with the pharaohs of Egypt, and was believed to be their protector and patron. The pharaoh was often depicted wearing the “nemes” headdress, which was adorned with the image of the cobra and the vulture, symbols of Upper and Lower Egypt, respectively. These animals were believed to be the protectors of the pharaoh, and were associated with Horus.
In addition to his role as protector of the pharaoh, Horus was also a symbol of the sun and the sky, and was closely associated with the idea of kingship and divine rulership. His story of triumph over Set and his association with the pharaohs made him a popular deity in ancient Egypt, and his worship continued throughout the country’s history.
Anubis
Anubis is also one of the most recognisable gods in Egyptian mythology, and was the god of embalming and mummification. He was often depicted as a jackal or a man with a jackal head, and was closely associated with death and the afterlife.
Anubis played a key role in the process of preparing the body of the deceased for burial. He was believed to protect the body from harm and to oversee the embalming process, which involved removing the internal organs and preserving the body with various substances. Anubis was also responsible for weighing the heart of the deceased against the “feather of truth” during the judgment of the dead, which determined whether the deceased would be allowed to enter the afterlife.
Despite his association with death, Anubis was not considered a malevolent deity, but rather a compassionate and protective one. He was often depicted wearing a “hekau” – a type of headband – and a kilt made of black and white stripes, which symbolized the colors of mourning and the process of mummification.
Anubis’ association with death and the afterlife made him an important figure in Egyptian religion and culture, and his worship continued throughout much of the country’s history. Anubis’ imagery has been popular in popular culture and in modern times, he is often depicted in video games, movies, and television shows.
Thoth
Thoth is the god of writing, knowledge, and wisdom. He was often depicted as a man with the head of an ibis or a baboon, and was associated with the moon and the god of magic.
Thoth was credited with the invention of writing, and was believed to have created the hieroglyphic script, which was used for writing religious texts, historical records, and other documents in ancient Egypt. He was also associated with the development of mathematics, astronomy, and medicine, and was believed to have helped the gods in their battles against chaos and disorder.
In addition to his role as the god of writing and knowledge, Thoth was also a mediator between the gods and humans, and was believed to have the power to heal and to protect the dead. He was often depicted holding a “was” scepter, which was a symbol of power and authority, and wearing a lunar disk on his head, which represented his association with the moon.
Thoth was a popular and important deity in ancient Egypt, and his worship was widespread throughout the country’s history. He was often invoked in religious rituals and ceremonies, and was believed to have the power to offer protection and guidance to his devotees.
Hathor
Hathor was associated with love, beauty, music, and joy. She was often depicted as a cow or a woman with cow horns and a solar disk on her head, and was closely associated with the goddess Isis.
Hathor played a key role in many of the most important myths of Egyptian mythology, and was believed to have the power to offer protection and guidance to her devotees. She was often depicted as a nurturing and compassionate figure, and was associated with motherhood and feminine power.
Hathor was also closely associated with music and dance, and was believed to be the patroness of musicians, dancers, and entertainers. Her worship often involved music and dance, and she was believed to be able to soothe the hearts of the gods and offer comfort to the souls of the dead.
Hathor was also associated with the afterlife, and was believed to offer protection to the souls of the deceased. Her image was often included on the walls of tombs and temples, and she was depicted with outstretched wings, offering protection to the deceased.
Set
Set (also known as Seth or Setesh) is a complex and often controversial figure in Egyptian mythology, and was the god of chaos, storms, and violence. He was often depicted as a man with the head of an animal, such as a donkey, a jackal, or a crocodile.
According to myth, Set was the brother of Osiris and was jealous of his brother’s power and popularity. Set eventually murdered Osiris, dismembering his body and scattering the pieces throughout the land. This act of violence established Set as a figure of evil and chaos in Egyptian mythology, and he became a symbol of disorder and destruction.
Despite his reputation as a malevolent deity, Set was also associated with positive aspects of life, such as the desert, hunting, and war. He was often depicted as a protector of the pharaoh, and was believed to offer protection against dangerous animals and enemies.
Set’s place in Egyptian mythology and religion was complex and often contradictory. In some regions, he was worshiped as a powerful and important deity, while in others, he was considered a figure of evil and chaos. Set was often associated with negative events, such as storms and droughts, and was believed to be responsible for the chaos and disorder that threatened the stability of the world.
Afterlife in Egyptian mythology
The afterlife played a central role in Egyptian mythology, and the ancient Egyptians had a complex and rich set of beliefs about what happened to the soul after death.
According to their beliefs, the soul was comprised of three parts: the ka, the ba, and the akh. The ka was the life force and was believed to live on after death in the tomb or the statue of the deceased. The ba was the personality and was believed to be able to move freely between the living and the dead. The akh was the immortal part of the soul that was believed to travel to the afterlife.
To ensure a successful afterlife, the ancient Egyptians believed that the body had to be preserved through the process of mummification, which involved the removal of the internal organs and the application of various substances to preserve the body. The body was then placed in a tomb along with the deceased’s belongings and offerings.
The deceased was believed to undergo a series of tests and trials in the afterlife before being judged by the god Osiris. The heart of the deceased was weighed against the feather of Ma’at, which symbolized truth and justice. If the heart was heavier than the feather, the deceased was not allowed to enter the afterlife, but if the heart was lighter, the deceased was allowed to enter the afterlife and continue on to the “Field of Reeds,” a paradise reserved for those who had lived a good life.
In the afterlife, the deceased was believed to be able to enjoy many of the same pleasures that they had enjoyed in life, such as food, drink, and entertainment. They were also able to interact with the gods and goddesses and receive their protection and guidance.
