Egyptian mythology is a rich tapestry of stories, legends, and myths that have captivated human imagination for thousands of years. The myths often served as moral or explanatory tales, giving insight into human nature, the gods, and the universe. In this article, we will delve into five of the most famous Egyptian myths that have been immortalized in literature, art, and religion.
Table of Contents :
- The Myth of Ra and the Eye of Ra
- The Tale of Osiris and Isis
- The Story of Geb and Nut
- The Legend of Horus and Set
- The Myth of Anubis and the Weighing of the Heart
- Questions and Answers
The Myth of Ra and the Eye of Ra
The story of Ra, the sun god, and his “Eye,” often identified as the goddess Sekhmet, is one of the most fascinating myths in Egyptian mythology. Ra, feeling that humanity had become disrespectful, unleashed his Eye to punish them. The Eye went on a rampage, almost annihilating mankind.
To stop the destruction, Ra poured red-dyed beer over the land, tricking the Eye into thinking it was blood. The Eye drank the beer and fell asleep, saving humanity. This myth serves as a cautionary tale about the wrath of the gods and has been depicted in countless Egyptian artworks.
The Eye of Ra symbolized protection but also the destructive aspect of the sun. It played a significant role in Egyptian rituals and was often depicted as a cobra or a lioness. The Eye was also associated with the waxing and waning of the moon, linking it to the cycles of time. Thus, it encapsulated the dual nature of existence: creation and destruction, life and death.
The myth of Ra and his Eye has influenced various aspects of Egyptian culture, including their art and religious practices. Temples dedicated to Ra often featured intricate designs of the Eye, and it became a symbol of royal power and protection. Even today, the Eye of Ra remains a popular symbol in modern culture, often representing wisdom, protection, and mystery.
The Tale of Osiris and Isis
One of the most enduring myths in Egyptian lore is that of Osiris and Isis. Osiris was a benevolent king and god of the underworld, while his wife Isis was a goddess of magic. Osiris was loved by all except his jealous brother, Set, who plotted to kill him.
Set tricked Osiris into lying in a coffin, which he then sealed and threw into the Nile. Isis, devastated, searched far and wide for her husband. She finally found his coffin lodged in a tamarisk tree that had grown around it. Unfortunately, Set discovered the coffin, dismembered Osiris, and scattered his body parts.
Isis, with the help of her sister Nephthys, gathered the pieces and used her magical abilities to resurrect Osiris long enough for them to conceive a son, Horus. Osiris then became the god of the underworld. The myth symbolizes themes of death and resurrection, and it offers an explanation for the cycles of decay and rebirth in nature.
The story of Osiris and Isis has deeply influenced Egyptian religious practices, art, and culture. Their tale is depicted in various temples, tombs, and papyri, and it forms the basis for the Osirian cult, which promised life after death for its followers. The myth also highlights the importance of marital fidelity and familial bonds, values that were deeply ingrained in Egyptian society.
Isis’s role as a loving wife and mother, as well as a powerful magician, made her one of the most popular deities in Egypt. She was often depicted with outstretched wings, offering protection, and her cult spread far beyond Egypt to the Greco-Roman world. The tale of Osiris and Isis continues to be a subject of fascination, exploration, and interpretation, not just in academic circles but also in popular culture.
The Story of Geb and Nut
In ancient Egyptian mythology, the tale of Geb and Nut is a foundational story that explains the natural world and its phenomena. Geb, the god of the Earth, and Nut, the goddess of the Sky, were initially fused together in an eternal embrace. The two were separated by their father, Shu, the god of air, who lifted Nut above him and placed Geb beneath his feet.
The separation of Geb and Nut gave rise to the concepts of day and night, as well as the physical realms that humans now inhabit. Nut became the sky goddess who swallowed the sun at dusk and gave birth to it at dawn. Meanwhile, Geb became the Earth god, the ruler of plants, animals, and all things that grow from the soil.
Temples across Egypt depicted this myth in various forms of art, including bas-reliefs and paintings. Often, Nut is shown arched over Geb, her body dotted with stars, symbolizing the night sky. Geb is usually depicted lying beneath her, often with a goose atop his head, as “Geb” also means “goose” in ancient Egyptian.
The story of Geb and Nut is not just a tale of cosmic separation; it also serves as a cultural metaphor for the Egyptian understanding of order and chaos, life and death, growth and decay. Their story is a cornerstone in Egyptian cosmology, reinforcing the importance of duality and balance in the world.
The Legend of Horus and Set
In ancient Egyptian mythology, the battle between Horus and Set is not just a tale of rivalry but also symbolizes the eternal struggle between order and chaos. Horus, the falcon-headed god, represented order, light, and justice. Set, on the other hand, was the god of chaos, storms, and darkness.
The two deities were pitted against each other after the murder of Osiris, Horus’s father and Set’s brother. Osiris was the first king of Egypt and a god of the afterlife. Set became jealous of Osiris’s power and success, leading him to trap Osiris in a coffin and throw it into the Nile. After Osiris’s death, the struggle for the throne began between his son, Horus, and his brother, Set.
Horus sought revenge and justice, and thus began a series of epic battles with Set. These conflicts were not just physical but also involved magical spells and divine interventions. Finally, Horus was victorious, and Set was banished to the desert lands. However, the story also tells us that Horus lost one of his eyes during the battle, which was later healed by the goddess Hathor. The “Eye of Horus” became a symbol of protection and healing, frequently depicted in Egyptian art and jewelry.
The legend of Horus and Set is deeply embedded in Egyptian culture and its religious practices. Temples dedicated to Horus often contain murals or sculptures depicting his victory over Set. This myth encapsulates the Egyptian belief in the triumph of good over evil and order over chaos, themes that are universal and resonate to this day.
The Myth of Anubis and the Weighing of the Heart
The ancient Egyptians held a profound belief in the afterlife, and the myth of Anubis and the Weighing of the Heart captures this in its most symbolic form. Anubis, the jackal-headed god, was the god of mummification and the afterlife, often depicted overseeing the mummification process to ensure its success.
According to the myth, after death, a person’s soul would travel to the Hall of Ma’at, the Egyptian concept of truth and order. Here, they would meet Anubis, who would perform the crucial Weighing of the Heart ceremony. The deceased’s heart would be placed on a scale opposite the feather of Ma’at. If the heart was found to be lighter or equal in weight to the feather, this meant the individual had lived a righteous life and would be granted entry into the eternal paradise.
However, if the heart was heavier than the feather, it indicated that the person had lived a life full of sins. The heart would then be devoured by Ammit, a fearsome creature with the body of a lion, the head of a crocodile, and the rear of a hippopotamus, effectively destroying the person’s chance for an afterlife.
The ceremony was usually depicted in funerary texts and art, most notably in the Book of the Dead, a guide for the deceased to navigate the challenges of the afterlife. For the ancient Egyptians, this myth was not just a story but a warning and a guide on how to live a life in accordance with Ma’at, the principle of truth, balance, and order.
The Weighing of the Heart is a favorite subject in ancient Egyptian art. Tomb paintings often feature Anubis performing the ritual, a vivid reminder to the living about the eternal importance of a virtuous life.
Questions and Answers
Q: Who was the Egyptian god responsible for weighing the heart?
A: Anubis, the jackal-headed god, was responsible for the Weighing of the Heart ceremony in ancient Egyptian mythology.
Q: What happened if the heart was heavier than the feather of Ma’at?
A: If the heart was heavier than the feather, it meant that the deceased had led a sinful life. Their heart would be devoured by Ammit, effectively denying them access to the afterlife.
Q: What is the significance of the Weighing of the Heart in ancient Egyptian culture?
A: The Weighing of the Heart was not just a mythological concept but a moral and ethical guide for the living. It was a constant reminder of the importance of living in accordance with the principles of Ma’at, which represented truth, balance, and order.
Q: Is the Weighing of the Heart depicted in Egyptian art?
A: Yes, the Weighing of the Heart is a popular subject in ancient Egyptian art, particularly in tomb paintings. It serves both as a guide to the afterlife and a moral lesson for the living.
Q: Where can we find depictions of this myth?
A: You can find depictions of the Weighing of the Heart in various forms of ancient Egyptian art, including tomb paintings, sculptures, and in the text of the Book of the Dead.
You can find my personal digital paintings on my online shops: Digital downloads, canvas and posters.