Horus

 

Egypt

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Egyptian Gods

Horus

Horus

The God Horus is one of the most ancient of the Egyptian pantheon. He is celebrated in the town of Edfu.

The God Horus is one of the most ancient of the Egyptian pantheon. He is celebrated in the town of Edfu. Father of the guardians of the internal organs (Imset, Hapi, Duamutef and Qebehsenuef) and son of Isis and Orisis, he is charged with decorating the alters with offerings and with guiding the deceased into the underground world before bringing them before his father Orisis. As well as being the incarnation of the sky and the sun, he is also the protector of the pharaoh. The whole of Egypt honours Horus, however the name given to him changes significantly from one region to another. The child Horus is depicted in the form of naked boy with his hand held up against his mouth or huddle up on his mother Isis' lap who is breast-feeding him. As an adult, Horus is recognisable due to his falcon head.

Conceived after the death of his father when his mother Isis gathered the scattered body parts of her husband who was assassinated by Set, Horus grew up in the marshes. But once an adult, wanting to take back what was rightfully his, he took on Set for the throne of Egypt and the two Gods came face to face in some violent combats. During the confrontations, Horus lost an eye which the good Thoth retrieved and returned to its owner. This lunar eye, or 'Wedjat', became a powerful symbol of protection, worn in the form of an amulet.

Category : Egyptian Gods
items Date : 01/08/2009
Author of items : Charles Rossignol