List of Egyptian deities
Overview
The ancient Egyptian civilization, which spanned over 3000 years, had a complex system of polytheistic beliefs. The pantheon of Egyptian deities was vast and diverse, with gods and goddesses often embodying natural phenomena or aspects of life. This article provides a comprehensive list of these deities, their roles, and their significance in the ancient Egyptian religion.
Major Deities
Ra
Ra was the sun god and one of the most important deities in ancient Egypt. He was often depicted as a man with the head of a falcon crowned with a solar disk and a serpent. Ra was believed to travel across the sky in a solar barque and descend into the underworld at dusk, only to be reborn at dawn.
Isis
Isis was the goddess of motherhood, fertility, and magic. She was considered the ideal mother and wife, and was often depicted with a throne symbol on her head. Isis played a crucial role in the resurrection of her husband, Osiris, and was also the mother of Horus, the sky god.
Osiris
Osiris, the god of the underworld, death, and resurrection, was one of the most significant deities of ancient Egypt. He was usually depicted as a mummified king, holding the symbols of sovereignty—the crook and flail. Osiris was the husband of Isis and father of Horus.
Horus
Horus, the sky god, was usually depicted as a falcon or a man with a falcon's head. He was associated with war and hunting and was considered the divine prototype of the pharaoh. Horus was the son of Isis and Osiris.
Anubis
Anubis, the god of embalming and the dead, was depicted as a man with the head of a jackal. He was responsible for guiding the souls of the deceased through the underworld and presided over the weighing of the heart ceremony, a crucial step in the journey to the afterlife.
Hathor
Hathor, the goddess of love, beauty, and music, was often depicted as a cow or a woman with cow's ears. She was also associated with the sky and was considered the mother of the sun god, Ra.
Lesser-Known Deities
Bes
Bes was a dwarf god who was a protector of households and in particular, pregnant women and children. He was also associated with music and dance.
Sekhmet
Sekhmet, the lioness goddess, was the goddess of war and disease. She was also considered a solar deity and was believed to breathe fire.
Thoth
Thoth, the ibis-headed god, was the god of wisdom, writing, and the moon. He was also the scribe of the gods and was believed to have invented writing and hieroglyphs.