The Egyptians and Mythology

The ancient Egyptians worshiped many gods. Each god was a god of certain things. Ra was the God of the sun and Geb was the God of the earth. Water was and is very important in desert regions so the Egyptian culture revolved around the Nile River. Because water was so important to the Egyptians, water was also a significant part in their creation stories.

The culture and creation myth of ancient Egypt follows the same theme as some of the unusual and obscure legends as other cultures. Their beliefs consisted of gods, mythology and cult temples. Their secrecy and division as far as who was allowed to obtain the highest spiritual knowledge is mirrored in the division and downfall of Egypt.

The Egyptians believe that the world was nothing but a chaotic body of water called Nun and the God Atum created himself from the chaos.  Atum was alone on the Earth and  the need more gods became evident and so  he spat out a son, Shu God of air, and vomited his daughter, Tefnut Goddess of moisture.  From the union of them the God of the earth, Geb, and the Goddess of the sky, Nut was produced.  They conceived four offspring Osiris, Isis, Seth and Nephthys, known as the Gods of kinship.  These nine Gods and Goddess’ were the Ennead of Heliopolis.  The ancient Egyptians’ creation myth explains the origin of not only their world but of the gods that they so fervently worshiped as part of their every day life. y. Ra then created men from his tears.

One practice of the Egyptians is mummification, which originated from the myth of Osiris.  Osiris was an admired and supreme king and this caused resentment in his brother Seth.  According to the legend, Seth locked Osiris in a coffin and sent it down the Nile River where it was discovered by a king.  When Osiris’ wife/sister, Isis, found out she immediately recovered the body but Seth chopped it up in pieces and strewn them throughout Egypt. Isis searched and found every piece of Osiris and wrapped them in linen cloth.  She then breathed life into him and he became the ruler of the underworld.  Osiris represents life, death and resurrection and to the Egyptians and his story brought about the use of mummification.