Horus (Hor, Heru, Her)
He who is above
Symbols: hawk, falcon, bull, Double Crown, Winged Disk, Sphinx, weapons, iron, blacksmiths
Depiction: Horus was often depicted as a child suckling at his mother’s breast. As a child, Horus was shown seated wearing a side lock and a royal crown and sucking his thumb. Perhaps because his father was dead when he was conceived or because he was born prematurely, in his child form Horus was depicted with a stunted lower body. As a result of Horus’ association with the sun, he was often depicted as the personification of the rising sun and a symbol of eternal life and resurrection. As the older Horus, Haroeris, he was depicted as a falcon-headed man wearing the crowns of Upper and Lower Egypt.
Mythology: The ancient Egyptians believed that their pharaohs were the earthbound embodiment of Horus, one of the greatest Egyptian gods. Egyptian pharaohs would take the name of Horus as their own to show their direct relation to him. The patronage of Horus was disputed and eventually justified by the Egyptians through the establishment of fifteen distinct forms of Horus. The fifteen forms of Horus fall into two categories, the solar god and the son of Osiris. Horus, when associated with the sun, was said to be the son of Atum, Re, or Geb and Nut. As the son of Isis and Osiris, Horus is called Harsiesis, which means “Horus the son of Isis”. Isis was said to have conceived Horus miraculously by resurrecting Osiris just long enough to conceived Horus. Isis alone raised Horus, who as a child was known as Harpokrates, “the infant Horus.” She raised him on a floating island called Chemmis to protect the child from his uncle Seth. Seth wanted to murder Horus, but Isis protected the child so that some day he might avenge his father’s death.
Horus was also known as an older god and was called Haroeris, “Horus the Elder.” This Horus was said to be the son or husband of Hathor and the brother of Osiris and Seth. Horus had four sons born of the lotus flower, Qebehsenuef, Duamutef, Imsety, and Hapi. His four sons were solar gods and it was believed that Anubis made them responsible for mummification, the “Opening of the Mouth,” and the burial of Osiris and all men. Each son protected an internal organ of the deceased. For example Imsety protected the liver, Hapi the lungs, and Duamutef the stomach. A goddess protected each son. These were not Horus’ only children as he was said to have had many children and many wives.
