Horus is one of the most important and oldest gods in the Egyptian pantheon. His name means "one who is far" in reference to the distance between heaven and earth, where he is supposed to reside.
The symbolism of Horus is very rich, he is often represented as a falcon or a falcon-headed man, with a white left eye and a black right eye, representing the sun and the moon. He is considered a god of royalty, war, hunting and protection.
A hero
The prowess of Horus are many, he is known to have overcome Seth, the serpent god of chaos and violence, after avenging the death of his father Osiris. He is also associated with hunting and protecting pharaohs, and was honored in many temples across Egypt.
His role in the myths is very important, he is the hero of the story ofOsiris et Seth, where he wins Seth to avenge his father's death and restore order to the world. It is also associated with many other stories, including those of his miraculous birth, his war against the enemies of Egypt, and his own death and rebirth.
Horus must ensure the continuity of eternal life and protect the pharaoh, considered his incarnation on earth. He was also considered a sun god, associated with the daily rebirth of the sun.
More generally
His iconography is very varied, in addition to his form of falcon, he is often represented with a double crown, symbolizing the union of Upper and Lower Egypt, he also holds in his hands a rod and a whip, demonstrating his function of judge and guardian. He is also often depicted in hunting or war scenes.
His genealogy is complex, according to Egyptian myths, he is the son ofOsiris and D'Isis, but other versions describe him as the son of Ra, the sun god (which is not necessarily contradictory in Egyptian mythology). He is also associated with many goddesses, including Hathor, Sekhmet et Nekhbet.
His interactions with the other gods are also very important, he is often associated with the goddess Isis, his mother, as well as with Thot, the god of wisdom, who helped him overcome Seth. He is also associated with many other deities, including Hathor, Anubis et Maat.
Its role in the judgment of the soul
In Egyptian religion, Horus plays an important role in the judgment of the soul. When the person dies, he is taken before the divine court to be judged. In this court, Horus, representative of the divine law and order, is one of the members of the divine court.
He must weigh the heart of the deceased on a scale, comparing it to the feather of the goddess Maat, which symbolizes harmony and balance. If the heart is heavier than the feather, it means that the person has committed sins and impure acts during his life, and then he is doomed to be devoured by the devil Ammit. If the heart is as light as a feather, it means that the person has led a just and upright life, and then he is admitted to the world of the dead and can continue his journey to the afterlife.
Horus is therefore present in this crucial stage of the soul's journey, and his role as a weigher ensures that the process of judgment is fair and just. Its role in the judgment of the soul also shows the importance of morality and virtue in Egyptian culture, as well as the importance of divine justice.
His story in pictures
Egyptian deities other than Horus