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Egyptian Cat Bastet The first reference to
the domestic cat appears in the eleventh dynasty. Because it was hostile to
snakes, it became a sacred animal of the Sun God. In the New Kingdom, the male
cat was regarded as an incarnation of the Sun God and the female cat was
equated with the solar eye. Feline figures may display a scarab, the symbol of
the rising sun, engraved on the head or breast thus showing their solar
significance. The domestic cat attained special significance as the sacred
animal of the Goddess Bastet. Hundreds of figures were set up as votive
offerings in the temple at Bubastis in order that the donor might share in the
Goddess's grace. Actual mummies of cats were buried by the thousands in
special cemeteries in the area. |
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Egyptian Sphinx - Egyptian Museum, Cairo. 18th Dynasty 1450 B.C. The word
"Sphinx" used by the Greeks derives perhaps from the Egyptian
Shesepankh "Living Statue". It designates a type of statue joining a
human head to the body of a lion and symbolizes sovereignty combining the
strength of the lion with a human intelligence. The Egyptian Sphinx was, with
only a few exceptions in representations of some Queens of the Middle Kingdom,
shown as male. Also, the Egyptian Sphinx was viewed as benevolent, a guardian,
whereas the Greek Sphinx was invariably malevolent towards people. The Sphinx
was the embodiment of royal power often shown smiting the King's enemies, or
the King himself being represented as a victorious Sphinx trampling on his
foes. This Sphinx represents King Thutmosis III wearing a striped "Nemes"
headcloth protected by an Uraeus and a false beard. |
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Horus Falcon In Egyptian mythology, Horus was the Divine Child of Osiris and Isis. As
the Incarnate God, his roles were numerous. He united the cosmic principles
of male and female. He acted as the uniting force between Upper and Lower
Egypt. He interceded on behalf of the King to the Gods and as a living God, it is
Horus who bestowed supreme power and divine kingship to a Pharaoh. |
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Osiris - Egyptian Museum, Cairo. 700 B.C -
Osiris, the Resurrection God, is the central figure in the afterlife
myth and in Egyptian mythology as a whole. His name means "The Seat of
the Eye". To die and be properly prepared for the other life is to
become one with Osiris in the underworld over which he rules. Osiris
received earthly rule from his father, Geb. His brother Seth envied his
hegemony; he enticed Osiris into a chest and flung him into the Nile.
His wife sought and found his body and with her own magic powers and
the help of Thoth, Nephthys, Anubis and Horus, restored Osiris to life.
Osiris, however already belonged to the world of the dead, and although
after his resurrection he could have reclaimed his throne, he preferred
to maintain his kingdom in the Land of the Dead, leaving his
vindication on earth in the hands of his posthumous son Horus. |
