Egyptian Mythology: Chorus

One of the oldest deities, which includes Egyptian mythology, is Chorus (Hor). The first mention of it dates back to 3000 BC. The choir represented the heavenly kingdom and was the patron of rulers in ancient Egypt. All the pharaohs were considered his earthly incarnations.

The Swift Falcon

As the Egyptian mythology suggests , Chorus was originally a tribal deity. He patronized the hunters and was often portrayed as a falcon or a man with a falcon head. The bird of prey was often called the queen of the heavens, and the formidable leaders were identified with her, like Horus. Mythology, describing the heavenly rule of Horus, according to scientists, tells of the victory of Upper Egypt, where this deity was revered, over the enemies. After conquering a vast territory, the falcon leader became the first pharaoh. The choir has since been revered as the patron of the royal power, ruling the united Egypt.

Sun God

God Chorus in the mythologies of the peoples who inhabited Egypt was not always represented as the patron of hunters. Often he was portrayed sailing across the sky on a solar boat. In some versions of the myth, Hor is called the son of Ra, the sun- god . He embodies the powers of light, constantly fighting with darkness and conquering. According to another version, the father of God is Osiris. The choir is fighting his murderer - Seth, personifying darkness, night and chaos. In this battle, victory is not always on the side of Osiris's son. First, success comes to Seth, but, in the end, Chorus always wins. Mythology (a photo of the ancient images of the deity well illustrates this) describes him as a relentless fighter against the forces of evil.

On the relief that adorns the temple of Osiris' son in the city of Edfu (the version of reading is Idfu, the ancient name is Behdet), Gore is depicted on the bow of the boat, ruled by the sun god Ra. He clears the way, driving away the alligators and hippos, personifying darkness. The constant struggle against 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 Horus in the form of a winged solar disk.

The Resurrection of Osiris

In one of the most famous stories that Egyptian mythology contains, Chorus appears as the son of Osiris and Isis. Seth is in this version - 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 brought up Horus, hiding in the delta of the Nile. The son of Osiris, who grew up, had to prove the right to the Egyptian kingdom.

After the recognition by other gods of justice of the claims of Horus, he had to fight with the main enemy, Seth. Probably, this struggle describes the war between Upper and Lower Egypt. In the process of the fight, Seth snatched eyes from Horus. However, after some time, he was defeated. The choir gave Osiris his eye, as a result of which he rose again. From that moment the revived god began to rule the land of the dead. The King of the united Egypt was proclaimed Gore.

The eye, resurrected Osiris, is still one of the most famous defensive symbols. In mythology, he often wore the name "Eye Ra". In ancient times, he was credited with the ability to protect the owner from injury.

Ancient and mighty

Two images of the god, which contains Egyptian mythology (Chorus - son of Osiris and Hor - son of Ra), dominated in different historical periods. Gore as a supreme deity was revered until 2550 BC. Then more often he was mentioned as the son of Ra, who personified the sun. These changes reflect the socio-political characteristics of time. Prior to the beginning of the V dynasty, the most important posts of government were members of the royal family. Then the situation changed, apparently due to public discontent with the government. Ra was nominated for the role of supreme god. His dominant position was reinforced by the knowledge of astronomy. And Gore, whose incarnation was represented by the pharaoh, began to have less significance - he acquired the status of the son of the supreme deity.

Despite such changes, and perhaps due to them, one of the most "stable" gods in Egypt was the Choir. Mythology and history of the ancient state for millennia knew the royal falcon. In the Egyptian pantheon there are several hundred gods, and not all of them can boast of a permanent position on the upper levels of the hierarchy.