One of the oldest deities that Egyptian mythology includes is Chorus (Horus). The first mention of it dates back to 3000 BC. The choir represented the kingdom of heaven and was the patron saint of rulers in ancient Egypt. All the pharaohs were considered his earthly incarnations.
Swift Falcon
As Egyptian mythology suggests , the Chorus was originally a tribal deity. He patronized hunters and was often portrayed as a falcon or a man with a falconry head. The bird of prey was often called the queen of heaven, and formidable leaders were identified with it, like the Chorus. The mythology that describes the heavenly rule of Horus, according to scientists, tells of the victory of Upper Egypt, where this deity was revered, over enemies. After conquering a vast territory, the falcon leader became the first pharaoh. The choir has since been revered as the patron saint of tsarist power, ruling a united Egypt.
Sun God
God Chorus in the mythologies of the peoples inhabiting Egypt, was not always presented as the patron saint of hunters. Often he was portrayed floating in the sky in a sun boat. In some versions of the myth, the Chorus is called the son of Ra, the sun god . He embodies the forces of light, constantly fighting with darkness and conquering. According to another version, the father of God is Osiris. The choir fights with his killer - Seth, personifying darkness, night and chaos. In this battle, victory is not always on the side of the son of Osiris. At first, success comes to Seth, but in the end, the Chorus always wins. Mythology (photos of ancient images of the deity illustrate this well) describes him as a relentless fighter with the forces of evil.
On the relief adorning the temple of the son of Osiris in the city of Edfu (the reading option is Idfu, the ancient name is Behdet), Horus is depicted on the bow of a boat ruled by the sun god Ra. He clears the way, driving away alligators and hippos that personify darkness. The constant struggle with Seth, according to researchers, is an allegorical description of the change of day and night. In mythology, the image of Ra and Horus often merges. On the walls of the temple of Edfu you can see the image of the Choir in the form of a winged sun disk.
The Resurrection of Osiris
In one of the most famous plots that Egyptian mythology contains, the Choir appears as the son of Osiris and Isis. Seth in this version is his uncle. Treacherous, he killed his own brother Osiris, wanting to gain unlimited power. Isis found the body of her husband and miraculously conceived a son. She gave birth and raised Horus, hiding in the Nile Delta. The matured son of Osiris had to prove the right to the Egyptian kingdom.
After the other gods recognized the justice of Horus's claims, he had to fight the main adversary, Seth. This fight probably describes the war between Upper and Lower Egypt. During the fight, Seth pulled his eyes out of Horus. However, after some time he was defeated. The choir gave an eye to Osiris, as a result of which he was resurrected. From that moment on, the revived god began to rule the land of the dead. King of united Egypt proclaimed Horus.
The eye that raised Osiris is still one of the most famous protective symbols. In mythology, he often bore the name "Eye of Ra." In ancient times, he attributed the ability to protect the owner from injury.
Ancient and mighty
Two images of God, which contains Egyptian mythology (Khor - the son of Osiris and Khor - the son of Ra), dominated in different historical periods. Horus as the supreme deity was revered until 2550 BC. Then more often he was referred to as the son of Ra, personifying the sun. These changes reflect the socio-political characteristics of the time. Before the beginning of the V dynasty, the most important posts of government were occupied by members of the royal family. Then the situation changed, apparently due to public discontent with the board. Ra was promoted to the role of supreme god. His dominant position was reinforced by knowledge of astronomy. And Horus, whose embodiment was represented by the pharaoh, began to have less importance - acquired the status of the son of the supreme deity.
Despite such changes, and possibly due to them, it was Chorus that was one of the most “stable” gods in Egypt . The mythology and history of the ancient state for thousands of years has known the royal falcon. There are several hundred gods in the Egyptian pantheon, and not all of them can boast of a permanent position on the upper levels of the hierarchy.