Myths of Ancient Egypt: the deification of animals and the dead

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characteristic feature of Egyptian mythology is the deification of animals, evidence of this are the extant images of the gods, most of them painted as a man with the head of the beast, rarely birds.This is - proof deep archaic mythology of the Egyptians.Myths of Ancient Egypt are taking its roots from primitive totems, which in its original form religion is not.It was perfect, it does not tolerate the slightest doubt about the identity of faith in the community with individuals of a particular species.Myths and tales of ancient Egypt as originally emerged without any connection with religion.It was a completely independent line of evolution one sphere of the spiritual life of primitive people, which is already much later crossed the line of religious beliefs, which seriously affected her.Myths of Ancient Egypt to change not only over time, but with the change of ruling dynasties.That is the supreme rulers erected the first role of the deity who patronized them.Thus, the V Dynasty pharaohs built in a number of supreme deity Ra - God of the sun, because they came from Heliopolis - "Sun City".And during the Middle Kingdom has been held in high esteem God Amon, after which the III millennium BC.e.a primary role was playing Osiris - God of the dead.

Creation according to Egyptian mythology

studying the most ancient myths of Ancient Egypt, you can see another interesting version of the creation of the world.First, traditionally the world is a bottomless abyss gloomy water Nun.Once out of the primeval chaos gods who have created the heaven and the earth, plants, animals, people.This special merit god Khnum, who, according to legend, created the world from a simple clay on a potter's wheel.He is portrayed as a man, but with a ram's head.And of unprecedented beauty of the lotus flower appeared sun god Ra, who with his face lit up all the land.That is why a significant cycle of legends devoted tireless and unceasing struggle against the forces of darkness and the sun.One myth tells the story of the Battle of the sun god Ra and treacherous serpent Apophis, who reigned in the underworld, Ra is not defeated him in mortal combat.

pantheon of gods of ancient Egypt

Amon Ra - the god of the sun - was depicted in human form, wearing a crown and a scepter in his hand, and always with two feathers.Anubis - the patron of the dead - a man portrayed, but with the head of a jackal.Apis - the god of fertility - had the guise of a bull with a solar disk, but was considered the personification of the solar disk Aten.Geb, god son of air, was the god of the earth, and Gore was a powerful God of the sky and the sun.Min - patron of harvests, the god of fertility.Nun God - The Lord of the water element, and his wife were Naunet firstborn Gods, gave life to all others.Osiris - the god of the underworld, the realm of the dead judge - in this case was the patron of agriculture, grapes and wine, however, as absolutely all the life-giving forces and processes of nature.He was considered a "dying and resurrecting" God, thus personifying the seasons.God the creator Ptah was the patron of arts and crafts.Sobek was depicted as a man with the head of a crocodile, he was the god of water and the Nile.The personification of the evil inclination, the fratricide, the God of the desert - grid was treacherous and cowardly.He was considered the god of the moon patron of wisdom, it was considered the creator of the calendar.God Khonsu revered as the patron saint of travelers.A complete list of the gods can make spending or a dozen years studying a variety of sources that contain the myths of Ancient Egypt, abstracts, however, you can write, read the text of the article.