Egyptian mythology
Egyptian mythology
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Egyptian mythology is the collection of myths from ancient Egypt, which describe the actions of the Egyptian gods as a means of understanding the world. The beliefs that these myths express are an important part of ancient Egyptian religion. Myths appear frequently in Egyptian writings and art, particularly in short stories and in religious material such as hymns, ritual texts, funerary texts, and temple decoration. These sources rarely contain a complete account of a myth and often describe only brief fragments.
Some of the most famous myths of Egyptian mythology include the story of Ra and the creation of the world, the story of Osiris, Isis, and Horus, and the story of the god Anubis and the weighing of the heart.
The story of Ra and the creation of the world describes how the sun god Ra emerged from the chaos of Nun to create the world and the gods. The story of Osiris, Isis, and Horus tells of the murder of Osiris, the god of the underworld, by his brother Set, and how Osiris's wife Isis and son Horus sought to avenge his death and restore him to power.
The story of Anubis and the weighing of the heart is a myth that describes the judgement of the dead in the afterlife. It tells how the god Anubis would weigh the hearts of the deceased against the feather of Ma'at, the goddess of truth and justice, to determine whether they were worthy of entering the afterlife.
Other notable myths in Egyptian mythology include the story of the god Horus and his battles with his uncle Seth, the myth of the goddess Hathor, and the story of the god Ra and the serpent Apep.
These myths play a central role in Ancient Egyptian religion and were widely known among the ancient Egyptians. They were often depicted in art and were performed in temple rituals. They also played a significant role in shaping the culture, beliefs, and worldview of ancient Egyptians.Egyptian mythology Legends
Ra
The sun god who created the world and sailed through the sky in a boat
Isis
Goddess of magic, motherhood and fertility who protected the dead
Horus
Falcon-headed god of the sky, protector of pharaohs and king of gods
Osiris
God of the underworld and the afterlife who was killed and resurrected
Sekhmet
Lioness-headed goddess of war and healing
Anubis
God of embalming, protector of graves and the judge of the dead
Egyptian mythology Creatures
Apophis
Chaos, Destruction
A serpent or dragon deity representing chaos and disorder, believed to threaten the sun god Ra during his nightly journey through the underworld.
egyptian-mythology
Serpopard
Symbol of Royalty, Protective Powers
A mythical creature with the body of a leopard and the long neck of a serpent, often depicted in Egyptian art as a symbol of royalty and protective powers.
egyptian-mythology
Sphinx
Guardianship, Riddles
A mythical creature with the body of a lion and the head of a human, often depicted as a guardian figure at temples and pyramids, known for posing riddles to travelers.
egyptian-mythology
Khepri
Solar Symbolism, Rebirth
A scarab beetle deity associated with the sun, creation, and rebirth, believed to push the sun across the sky each day and symbolize transformation and renewal.
egyptian-mythology
Benu
Rebirth, Solar Symbolism
A mythical bird associated with the sun, rebirth, and creation, often depicted as a heron or crane, believed to have created the world from chaos.
egyptian-mythology
Hathor
Fertility, Motherhood
A goddess with the head of a cow, associated with love, beauty, fertility, and motherhood, worshipped as a protector of women and patroness of childbirth.
egyptian-mythology
Ammit
Soul Devouring
A fearsome creature with the head of a crocodile, the body of a lion, and the hindquarters of a hippopotamus, known for devouring the hearts of the unworthy dead.
egyptian-mythology
Egyptian mythology in POP Culture
The Pyramid
You only enter once.
A team of U.S. archaeologists unearths an ancient pyramid buried deep beneath the Egyptian desert. As they search the pyramid's depths, they become hopelessly lost in its dark and endless catacombs. Searching for a way out, they become desperate to seek daylight again. They come to realize they aren...
Sands of Oblivion
Uncovering the truth will unleash a nightmare
In 1923, legendary film Director Cecil B. DeMille finished the epic film, The Ten Commandments (1923). After filming was completed, he bulldozed the sets into the Guadalupe Sand Dunes of the central California coast. His reasons for doing so were very mysterious. This story gives a fictional explana...
The Curse of King Tut's Tomb
Unraveling the secrets of an Ancient Curse.
Thousands of years ago, the great Child King Tutankhamen ruled. Few know the details of his life no one knows the secrets of his death. But all is about to change. In 1922 Cairo, free-spirited archaeologist Danny Fremont is certain that if found, King Tut's Emerald Tablet would hold the ultimate pow...
Gods of Egypt
All of Heaven is at war
Set, the merciless god of darkness, has taken over the throne of Egypt and plunged the once peaceful and prosperous empire into chaos and conflict. Few dare to rebel against him. A young thief, whose love was taken captive by the god, seeks to dethrone and defeat Set with the aid of the powerful god...
Egyptian mythology Books
The Book of Dead
A collection of texts from ancient Egypt, intended to guide the soul of the deceased through the afterlife.
Egyptian Mythology: A Guide to the Gods, Goddesses, and Traditions of Ancient Egypt
Egyptian Mythology: A Guide to the Gods, Goddesses, and Traditions of Ancient Egypt by Geraldine Pinch offers a comprehensive guide to Egyptian mythology. It covers the major deities, religious practices, and cultural traditions of ancient Egypt.
Myth and Symbol in Ancient Egypt
An analysis of the myths and symbols of ancient Egypt and their significance in the culture.
The Complete Temples of Ancient Egypt
The Complete Temples of Ancient Egypt by Richard H. Wilkinson explores the architecture, symbolism, and religious significance of temples in ancient Egypt. It provides detailed insights into the construction and function of these sacred structures.
Egyptian Myth: A Very Short Introduction
An overview of the beliefs, gods, and myths of ancient Egypt.
The Complete Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt
The Complete Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt by Richard H. Wilkinson provides a comprehensive overview of the deities worshipped in ancient Egypt. It explores the roles, myths, and symbolism associated with each god and goddess.
The Egyptian Book of the Dead: The Book of Going Forth by Day
The Egyptian Book of the Dead: The Book of Going Forth by Day, translated by Raymond O. Faulkner, is a collection of ancient Egyptian funerary texts. It provides insights into ancient Egyptian beliefs about the afterlife and the journey of the soul.
The Book of the Dead: The Papyrus of Ani
A translation of the ancient Egyptian funerary text, featuring vignettes and hymns to ensure the deceased's passage into the afterlife.
Egyptian mythology based games
Age of Mythology
Age of Mythology is a real-time strategy game set in the ancient world, players control one of three civilizations (Greek, Egyptian, Norse) and use the powers of their gods to defeat their enemies.
Release Date: 2002-10-01
Developer: Ensemble Studios
Publisher: Microsoft Game Studios
Platform: PC
Genre: Real-time strategy
Rating: 8
Titan Quest
An action role-playing hack and slash game set in ancient Greece, Egypt, and Asia.
Release Date: 2006-06-26
Developer: Iron Lore Entertainment
Publisher: THQ
Platform: Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360
Genre: Action role-playing
Rating: 8
