The Egyptian god Horus was depicted as a falcon-headed man and the term ‘Horus’ refers usually to either two gods; Horus the Elder or Horus the Younger. Considered the most important of the avian deities, the figure of falcon-headed Horus was represented in a myriad of ways. As Horus the Younger, son of the gods Osiris and Isis, he was regarded as the protector of the ruler of Egypt. Thus, all pharaohs were considered the living embodiment of Horus. He was primarily a sky god, associated with the sun and with the moon. His frequently used symbols were the eye of Horus and the falcon.
Sekhmet was the fierce goddess of the Memphite area, forming a powerful trio with her husband, the creator-god Ptah, and their son, Nerfertum. Sekhmet was goddess of the sun and war: she symbolised the scorching heat of the sun, and brought plague and pestilence. She was seen as the fiercest of warriors, and was the protector of the pharaohs. It was said that the desert was caused by her breath alone, and she was rendered as a lion because this big cat was the bravest hunter known to the Egyptians. Her destructive wrath could be placated, however, by her priestesses performing annual rituals before statues of the goddess. This has led to many images of Sekhmet being preserved.
To discover more about amulets in the Ancient Egyptian world, please visit our relevant post: Amulets in Ancient Egypt.
