Egyptian Mythology

OUTLINE

Thesis statement: In this research, I will investigate the basic concepts of the Egyptian mythology and its gods.

I. Mythology

A. Definition

B. History

II. Egyptian Creation Myths

A. Heliopolitan Tradition

B. Hermoplitan Ogdoad

C. Memphite Theology

III. Worshipping

A. Beliefs

B. Rituals

C. Temples

IV. Gods and Goddesses

A. Good

B. Evil

C. Responsibilities

V. Conclusion

EGYPTIAN GODS AND GODDESSES

Egypt is one of the oldest and most complex civilizations of the world. Their religion and beliefs are fascinating and have been a mystery for centuries. Even today, there are some things that we still do not understand. In this research, I will investigate the basic concepts of Egyptian mythology and its gods.

Mythology is defined as a collection of interrelated stories of a given culture. Myths are intended to explain and describe the mysteries of nature and give understanding about the world that surrounds us. Each culture has their own mythology that reflects their values and beliefs. Myths were also generated to tell the story of the first people to inhabit the earth. The Egyptian mythology elevated these people to the level of Gods and Goddesses by giving them supernatural and special powers. These myths of creation were passed from one generation to the next, either orally or by hieroglyphs painted in sacred temples, pyramids, and sanctuaries.

Ancient Egyptians tried to understand their place in the universe. This is why their mythology is centered on nature such as the earth, sky, moon, sun, stars, and the Nile River. There are many Egyptian myths of creation, but the Heliopolitan Tradition, Hermopolitan Ogdoad, and the Memphite Theology are the most commonly used. They all have some common elements and gods. For example, many of the myths agree that in the beginning there was only Nu. Nu is the description of what the planet was before land appeared. It was described as a vast area of swirling watery chaos.

The Heliopolitan Tradition Cosmic Creation Myth is the most popular of the three myths. It began in Heliopolis, the City of the Sun. This city is located in the ruins of Yunu in northeast Cairo. In this myth, Atum was the one and only creator of the universe. He is also known as Khepri, the Great Scarab Beetle, Ra-Harakhte, the Winged-Solar Disk, Ra, the Midday Sun, Aten, the Solar-Disk, Horus on the Horizon, or the Great He-She.

According to the myth, as the water receded, the land appeared. This myth stated that as the water of the Nu receded, the first god to appear was Atum. By being the first to arise out of the water, it is believed that he is responsible for the fertile land that springs up when the waters of the Nile recede. Since Atum was alone, he chose to mate with his shadow. This is why he was called, among other names, the "Great He-She." Atum gave birth to two children. First, he spitted out his son Shu. Then he vomited Tefnut. Shu represented the air and the principles of life, while Tefnut represented rain and the principles of order. The three remained in the watery chaos of Nu. After some time, Atum was separated from his children and after a long period of separation, they finally reunited. Atum cried tears of joy; as theses tears hit the ground, men grew from them.

Shu and tefnut later gave birth to Geb and Nut. Geb was the God of the Earth in which the throne of the pharaoh would be decided. Nut was the Goddess of the sky, the separation between Earth and Nu. Geb and Nut then gave birth to Osiris, Isis, Seth and Nephthys. These nine gods formed the Heliopolitan Ennead, which means company of nine, also called the "Divine Ennead." In later texts, these nine gods and goddesses were often regarded as a single divine entity.

In the Cosmic Creation Myth, the explanation for the sunrise and the sunset is that the sun god Atum travels along Nut during the day and then is swallowed by Nut at night. It is believed that at dawn what you see is Nut giving birth to Atum as the sky opens up to the light.

The second cosmological tradition of Egypt was developed at Hermopolis, the Capital of Fifteenth Nome of Upper Egypt. It was apparently developed during a time of reaction against the religious hegemony of Heliopolis.

According to the tradition of the Hermopolis, chaos existed at the beginning of time, before the world was created. The chaos possessed four characteristics identified with eight deities who were grouped in pairs: Nun and Naunet, Heh and Hehet, Kek and Keket, and Amun and Amunet. Nun and Naunet were the god and goddess of the primordial waters, while Heh and Hehet were the god and goddess of the endless space. Kek and Keket represented the darkness and Amun and Amunet were the god and goddess of everything that was hidden (invisibility). These deities were not so much of gods on earth; they merely represented the state of the world before creation. These eight gods and goddesses formed what is called the Hermopolitan Ogdoad, which means company of eight.

The myth tells us that out of the chaos arose the primeval mound at Hermopolis. On the mound was deposited and egg from which emerged the Great Sun-God (Atum). Then the Sun-God proceeded to organize the world. (The Hermopolitan idea of chaos was of something more active than the chaos of the Heliopolitan system.)

The third cosmological system (the Memphite Theology was developed at Memphis, when it became the capital city of the kings of Egypt. Ptah, the principal god of Memphis had to be shown to be the Great Creation God, and a new legend about creation was developed. Nevertheless, and attempt was made to organize the new cosmogony so that there were no problems with the priests of Heliopolis and Hermiopolis.

In this myth Ptah was the Creator God, bur eight other gods were held contained within him. On these eight, some were members of the Heliopolitan Ennead, and others of the Hermopolitan Ogdoad. For example, Atum held a special position in this myth. Nun and Naunet were also included. Another god mentioned in this myth was Tathenen, a Memphite