The Mysteries of Egyptian Mythology

In the top row from left to right: Atum, Tefnut, Shu holding Nut aloft and Geb lying at Shu's feet. In the bottom row from left to right: Osiris, Isis, Seth and Nephthys.

Introduction:

What did gods and goddesses symbolize for the ancient Egyptians and what roles did they play?

Ancient Egyptians believed in different myths regarding the creation of the world. One famous tale includes the Ennead, a collective of nine deities. Atum was perceived as the initial god and the maker, from whom the Ennead sprang. They resembled a magical clan, each possessing distinct abilities and duties, bringing vibrancy to Egypt.

The Family Tree was:

Atum's Children: Shu and Tefnut

Shu and Tefnut's Children: Geb and Nut

Geb and Nut's Children: Osiris, Isis, Seth, and Nephthys

Explore the array of gods in ancient Egypt, where they influence the universe and lead souls in the afterlife.

Atum

Atum is shown as a man with a was-scepter to show his power, and an Ankh to symbolize his association to life. He is only later and rarely shown with a Double Crown.

Atum's name written in hieroglyphs

Atum, One well-known myth from ancient Egypt states that he is responsible for creating the world. He was frequently shown as a male adorned with the double crown of Upper and Lower Egypt.

It was thought that Atum was the creator of the initial gods and goddesses, such as Shu and Tefnut, and was commonly linked to the pharaohs, who were viewed as physical representations of the deity. 

At times linked with the setting sun, the ancient Egyptians thought the sun god journeyed through the sky by day and journeyed through the underworld by night, only to be reborn at sunrise.

At times portrayed as an elderly man symbolizing the conclusion of life, he was believed to be renewed each day at sunrise.

Shu: God of Air and Light

Shu is a deity from ancient Egypt associated with air, wind, and breathing. He is commonly depicted as a man with a beard, holding a shield and a was scepter. Shu supports the sky with one hand and the earth with the other. 

Shu depicted as a man with a feather on his head holding his arms aloft

Shu's name written in hieroglyphs

Tefnut, the goddess of moisture, is his wife. Unitedly, they maintain equilibrium in the cosmos. Shu is associated with the principle of Ma'at, representing balance and organization. He holds significance in Egyptian legend and is commonly depicted in tombs and sculptures.

Tefnut: Goddess of moisture, dew, and the sun

Tefnut is a deity in ancient Egypt associated with fire, water, and moisture. Frequently, she was shown as a female figure with a lioness or falcon head, and was thought to be Ra's offspring. 

Tefnut, the goddess, depicted as a female figure with a lioness head and a sun disc placed on her head.

Tefnut's name written in hieroglyphs

Tefnut was linked to the natural rhythms, such as the brightness of the sun and the productivity of the land. In Egyptian mythology, Tefnut was regarded as the physical representation of the divine feminine and was commonly known as the "Eye of Ra". Her significance in ancient Egyptian society continues to be honored and researched in modern times.

Geb: God of the earth and fertility (new life)

Geb is an important god in ancient Egyptian mythology, frequently shown as the deity of the earth and abundance. Mythology says Geb, son of Shu and Tefnut, was wedded to Nut, the goddess of the sky. Countless pictures show Geb with familiar human characteristics, along with horns and a beard.

Geb was the Egyptian god of the Earth and later a member of the Ennead of Heliopolis

Geb's name written in hieroglyphs

The ancient Egyptians thought he played a role in ensuring a successful harvest. Additionally linked to the concept of stability and equilibrium, he was thought to aid in maintaining the earth securely in position and averting turmoil and disarray.

Goddess Nut: Guardian of the Afterlife

Nut, the goddess of the sky in ancient Egypt, was a crucial figure in their religious beliefs. Various pictures portrayed her standing on the cosmic egg's walls, with stars and the moon around her. In these pictures, Nut is usually shown stretching across the sky, supporting the heavens with her arms spread out. Nut, the wife of Geb and mother of Osiris, Isis, and Set, was essential in upholding the cosmic balance as the goddess of the earth.

The goddess Nut, wearing the water-pot sign (nw) that identifies her.

Nut's name written in hieroglyphs

In Egyptian mythology, it was believed that she consumed the sun each evening and then birthed it again every morning. Egyptians thought that she guarded and observed the spirits of the deceased as they journeyed through her form towards the afterlife, similar to the sun's nightly path. The ancient Egyptians held her in high regard as a potent symbol of fertility, protection, and immortality.

Osiris: God of Life and Rebirth

Osiris was the deity in ancient Egyptian mythology associated with the afterlife, rebirth, and fertility. Horus' father married to Isis. Killed by his sibling Seth, yet resurrected by Isis.

From approximately 2780 to 2500 BCE, he was a prominent god honored in Egypt. When looking up "Osiris images," you'll come across various representations depicting him as a man with green skin wearing an ateph crown, a symbol related to renewal and growth. In Ancient Egyptian art, it was common to depict Osiris as mummified and covered in linen, representing his rebirth. Various images of Osiris can be found online, such as those in museums, ancient tomb paintings, and modern illustrations that honor his lasting mythological importance.

Osiris, lord of the dead and of rebirth. His green skin symbolizes rebirth

Osiris' name written in hieroglyphs

Typically shown as a mummified figure with either green or black skin, carrying a crook and flail (in ancient Egypt, a flail is a rod with three beaded strands on top). The ancient Egyptians thought that he evaluated the spirits of the deceased and determined if they deserved to go to the next life. He was associated with the yearly inundation of the Nile river, which resulted in the growth of fresh vegetation - much like his own resurrection.

Isis: Goddess of protection, motherhood and magic

The captivating world of Ancient Egypt! "Isis" is a highly respected and complex goddess in Egyptian mythology, known as the mother of Horus. Often shown as a female figure wearing a crown with the hieroglyph for 'throne', or adorned with Hathor's crown.

She is commonly shown as a lovely woman with a throne on her head, representing her status as the Nile's Queen, originating from Osiris' bloodline. Isis is often shown in pictures holding an ankh, symbolizing life, and a was sceptre, which symbolizes her authority and safeguard. Being depicted as a mother and fertility goddess, she is frequently portrayed alongside her son Horus and her husband Osiris. Investigate these enthralling pictures to further uncover the mystery of Ancient Egyptian legends.

Composite image of Isis's most distinctive Egyptian iconography, based partly on images from the tomb of Nefertari

Isis' name written in hieroglyphs

Ancient Egyptians thought that she had the ability to use magic and cure illnesses. Some tales mention that the tears shed by Isis for her deceased husband Osiris were believed to be the reason behind the yearly flooding of the Nile.

Seth: God of chaos, the desert, storms, violence and foreign people

Seth, a deity from ancient Egypt, also called Set, is commonly portrayed as a fierce and strong god. He is typically depicted as a man with the head of an unidentified animal, now thought to be the black-stumbled wild dog, the African golden wolf, or the Egyptian jackal. Seen as a villain for murdering his brother Osiris due to jealousy, he was also perceived as a guardian protecting the sun god Ra from perilous beasts. Because of these dual positions, he was both feared and revered by various Egyptians, including kings Sety I and II, who were named in his honor. Even though he was known for other things, he was occasionally asked to assist in the growth of crops and ensure a successful harvest.

Seth, an ancient Egyptian deity. Based on New Kingdom tomb paintings

Seth's name written in hieroglyphs

In pictures, Seth is commonly shown as a harmful power, opposing the other gods and backing up the gods of disorder. Seth is depicted in well-known artworks located in the Egyptian tomb of Tutankhamun and the temple of Karnak at Luxor.

Nephthys: Goddess of mourning, funerals and the dead

Nephthys is the Ancient Egyptian goddess of mourning, mourning rituals, and protective magic. She is often depicted with the body of a woman and the wings of a bird or a dove. In images, Nephthys is typically shown wearing the crown of Upper Egypt and carrying a pair of ostrich feathers. According to myth, Nephthys was the sister and wife of Set, the god of chaos and the desert. Her mythology revolves around her role in protecting the dead and maintaining cosmic order.

Nephthys was normally portrayed as a young woman, wearing a headdress in the shape of a house and basket

Nephthys' name written in hieroglyphs

She was also the mother of Anubis, the god of mummification and the afterlife. Married to Seth, god of chaos. Along with her sister Isis, she was a protective goddess who watched over the mummified bodies of the deceased and helped guide their souls into the afterlife. Despite being a lesser-known goddess today, she was an important figure in ancient Egyptian mythology and was widely respected and worshipped.

Conclusion:

Egyptian mythology reveals a complex interplay of cosmic forces and enduring stories that span across cultures, from the tumultuous battles of Apep to the nurturing influence of Anubis. Explore further the mysterious realm of Egyptian deities, where the realms of creation and destruction come together in a harmonious balance of eternal importance.

Khaled Sawada