Even though the falcon had been a sacred animal for a number of cults, such as those of the god Montu and the god Ra, the predatory character and strength of its flight made this bird a zoomorphic representation of the deity associated with the living pharaoh, Horus. With his parents, Osiris and Isis, Horus formed one of the most important divine triad closely connected to the royal cult. The pharaoh was considered a descendant and an earthly representation of Horus.
This particular representation of Horus, wearing the double crown of Upper and Lower Egypt, is associated with Horus of Behdet. Behdet was also associated with Edfu; a settlement and cult centre for Horus. In this form he was represented as a winged sun or falcon-headed man wearing the pschent. The current temple complex situated at Edfu was a Ptolemaic building project, built upon a smaller existing complex from the New Kingdom.
To discover more about amulets in the Ancient Egyptian world, please visit our relevant post: Amulets in Ancient Egypt.
