Sebek-ra is a beautiful-faced crocodile. Sebek - Egyptian god of water

The temple at Kom Ombo was built by the Ptolemies from 180 to 47 AD. BC, however, it may have more ancient roots. The temple is located on the right bank of the Nile, 40 kilometers north of Aswan. Usually it is visited by tourists who stop here without fail, traveling along the Nile by boat.

Sebek - a god depicted with the head of a crocodile, is considered the creator god and protector from evil forces. His wife (according to one version) is Hathor, the goddess of love and beauty, and his son, Khonsu, the god of the moon and wisdom. True, Hathor is also considered the wife of Horus. The main place of worship for Sebek is Lake Fayum in the north of Egypt, where the city of Crocodipolis (Shedit) was located, but there is practically nothing left of it, except for several thousand mummies of crocodiles. Therefore, the temple of Sebek, and even in Upper Egypt, it is the only one, and therefore unique.

However, the uniqueness of the Kom Ombo temple does not end there, it is a double temple, the right side of which is dedicated to the god Horus, that is, the god of the sun and sky, one of the main gods in the Egyptian pantheon. As in the case of Sobek, a place in the temple was found for both his wife and his son. According to some myths, Gor and Sebek are brothers, which explains such filling of the temple.

After the construction of the temple, almost nothing is known about it, after the spread of Christianity in Egypt, it was used for some time by the Copts, but then it was finally abandoned. Since the temple was located near the Nile, the river destroyed the gates of the temple and part of the facade during floods. And in 1893, it was accidentally discovered by a French archaeologist, the temple was covered with sand up to the very roof.

On the other side of the temple is still a decent-sized dune

Remains of a gate to the right

In the foreground is all that's left of the pylon

Just in case, I give you a drawing of the plan of the temple

From the courtyard with columns along the perimeter, only the bases of the columns remained

The entrance to the temple, as you can see, is double - on the left for Sebek, on the right for Gor

As can be seen on the plan and the first photo of the facade of the temple - the temple is quite badly destroyed, for Egypt it is rather poor preservation, although the central halls, having lost the roof, are still more or less preserved. But what is definitely well preserved is the drawings and images on the walls, some of which were carved as if yesterday.

Entrance to part of the temple of Sebek

Horus Corner

Sebek

The main part of the inscriptions on the walls tells about the gods, and in some parts there is a listing of what was donated to the sanctuary

Corridor on the right

hypostyle hall

To the left of the image of the goddess Sekhmet is a calendar, only a small piece got into the frame, and so there is a whole wall

The calendar

On some parts of the krum, mostly ceiling beams, there are traces of the original color painting

Vestibule in front of the chancel

View from the end of the temple

At the end of the temple were, as I understand it, two altar stones. Only one has survived to this day. It is located in the part of Sebek

At the very end of the temple is a row small spaces, covered with iron bars, but you can look in there

As befits Egyptian temples, they were surrounded by a wall along the outer perimeter; here, reliefs are well preserved on the walls of the temple

Passage to the left of the temple

Passage behind the temple

Star. The vaults of the tombs in the pyramids were decorated with similar ones 2.5 thousand years before the construction of this temple.

Passage to the right of the temple

To the left of the main rear temple and behind the temple, some excavations are being actively carried out, but if you can’t walk behind the temple on the hill, then you can on the site on the left. There is a small temple of Sebek (ruins), as well as two nilometers.

Nilometers played an important function in the life of the ancient Egyptians, firstly, a deep pit clearly showed the water level in the river, and secondly, based on this, taxes were levied - drought - less, spill - more.

Another nilometer, it seems, was also at the entrance to the complex

The purpose of these structures (steps) and a small house behind it is unknown, some believe that this is a source of water, others believe that sacred animals lived here, that is, crocodiles.

Temple, left view

To the right of the temple near the small temple of Hathor was found the head of the Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius and a statue without a head

Mini Temple of Hathor

View of the temple on the right

Of the interesting drawings in the temple, one can note the image of surgical instruments, but, unfortunately, I did not pay attention to them.

But this beast, a mixture of a bee, a cat and a goat, got into my collection of interesting images.

The photo shows that several policemen and caretakers are on duty in the temple. But that rare case when specifically they didn’t try to sell us their guide services.

Like all other sites in Egypt, the temple is open until sunset. Ticket price - 80 Egyptian pounds, for students 40 pounds. The ticket price also includes the Sobek Museum, this is a small hall where a mummy of crocodiles and a number of ritual accessories are exhibited. The price of shooting here is 50 pounds, but no one really cares.

In the New Kingdom, the living of totem animals at temples was a frequent tradition. In the case of crocodiles, they lived at the temples all their lives, they were taken care of and well fed, and when they died, they were mummified and buried. Crocodiles from this museum were found in the Temple of Hathor at the main temple, as well as in the El-Shatb necropolis nearby.

Bronze statuette of Sobek

Devices for mummification of crocodiles

mummies of crocodiles

Mummies of crocodiles - layout

Crocodile eggs

On the embankment, ships with tourists are waiting for crowds of merchants. One actively tried to breed me for a purchase. He offered a T-shirt for 5 pounds (30 cents), the price was excellent, he thought about splurge, he said what size he needed and left to look at the temple. At the exit, the seller was waiting for me, only now he wanted 200 pounds (12 dollars) for a T-shirt. And about 5 pounds, he confessed that it was like British pounds. Such a scam for simpletons in the hope that, like, I will appreciate his efforts and buy it anyway. As a result, the last price he offered me was, in my opinion - 80 pounds - 5 dollars. You can buy it if you need it, but I didn't need it.

Cruise ship moored at the shore

Embankment in front of the temple

If you stay in Aswan, then I recommend a small hotel in the Nubian style to stay

For the most ancient inhabitants of our planet, the deification of the forces of nature and animals is characteristic. The latter were endowed with holiness, they were worshiped, bringing offerings and sacrifices. Ancient Egypt was no exception. In this state, not only cute and harmless animals were endowed with divine features, but also reptiles that had a frightening appearance and posed a mortal danger. It's about about crocodiles.

Historical information has long been confirmed essential role Nile in the life of the Egyptians. The existence of the river, stretching like a life-giving thread from north to south, made it possible for ancient peoples to settle along its banks, their life depended on the floods of the Nile waters. Regular floods made the fields adjacent to the river fertile, which provided residents good harvest and guaranteed no hunger. To predict the harvest, the Egyptians watched the rise in the water level in the Nile with the help of the nilometers they built.

Dependence on the forces of nature caused people to worship their power, the desire to earn the favor of the gods - the patrons of the Nile and its inhabitants. The largest and most unusual creatures that have lived in the Nile for a long time - crocodiles - were considered its guardians and owners of the river. By their behavior, the Egyptians could determine the time of the flood.

Worship of Sebek

The Egyptian civilization had a wide pantheon of gods. An important place in this series was occupied by the god Sebek. He was depicted as a man with the head of a crocodile topped with a magnificent crown. Sebek was the lord of the feeding river, the ruler of the movement of its waters, and personified eternity.

In the territory ancient egypt in the Faiyum valley there was the city of Shedit, later called Crocodilopolis by the Greeks who came there. The place, located in a fertile valley around Lake Mérida, was the center of worship for Sebek. Crocodiles were considered the living embodiment of God.

Not far from Shedit, Pharaoh Amenemhet III built a whole complex dedicated to crocodiles. In addition to the traditional construction of a pyramid, the ruler was ordered to build a sacred structure, similar to a labyrinth - for the son of Sebek - the earthly representative of the god - the crocodile, to live in it. The territory of the building has not been preserved, there are only the remains of ruins. According to Herodotus, the area of the labyrinth was about 70 thousand square meters. meters, there were several levels, many rooms where the crocodile chosen by the priests, the son of Sebek, could walk around.

Serving the Chosen Crocodile

To achieve a decent life, priests were assigned to the crocodile, bringing treats and food. After the death of the “master of the labyrinth”, all the same priests mummified the body of the deceased animal and chose the next crocodile.

If a person died from a river predator, it was considered a great success: he received the protection of God and, after embalming, was honored to be buried in a sacred grave.

To this day, the Faiyum Valley region has not been fully explored. In the future, we will be able to find out if the labyrinth in Crocodilopolis really existed or if it is just a meaningful myth. The worship of the crocodile god throughout Egypt is also evidenced by the temple of Sebek in the city of Kom Ombo, not far from which a whole burial with mummies of crocodiles was found.

Crocodiles and Egyptian mythology

Egyptian mythology could not pass by such an animal as the Nile crocodile. This is a large reptile, reaching a length of 6 meters, the weight of the largest individuals exceeds a ton.

The Nile crocodile caused sacred awe among the ancient Egyptians - their whole life was connected with the Nile, and it was the crocodiles that were the real owners of the river. With one stroke of its mighty tail, a hungry crocodile could overturn fishing boat and drag the hapless fisherman under the water.

And on land, near water and swamps, it was impossible to feel safe - crocodiles, including the Nile, can even run at a kind of gallop, showing amazing agility for such, at first glance, clumsy animals outside the water.

Terrible jaws with huge teeth, closing with great force, break the bones of large animals and split the shells of turtles. It is interesting that the teeth of crocodiles change many times during their life - new and sharp ones grow to replace the old and worn ones.

A crocodile can go without food for a very long time - up to a year, not a single mammal can compare with it in this. And one more feature - crocodiles do not have a tongue in the usual sense - its tongue is spread along the lower jaw and is tightly stuck to it.

That is, unlike a number of animals endowed in many ways with fantastic features, crocodiles have such real existing qualities and properties that simply could not help but make them important characters in Egyptian myths, starting from ancient times.

The first mention of Sebek

The Egyptian god with the head of a crocodile has been revered since ancient times.

In Kom Ombo, the temple of Sebek is unique in that it is part of a double temple built in the Greco-Roman era. The northern part is dedicated to the triad of gods headed by Horus (Horus, Tasenetnofret and their son Panebtavi), and the southern part is dedicated to the triad of gods headed by the crocodile god (Sebek, Hathor and their son Khonsu).

In addition to these large temples, there were numerous shrines and smaller temples throughout Egypt dedicated to the Egyptian god of water. Among them, the temples in Gebel el-Silsil and Gebelin should be noted.

Ambivalence towards crocodiles

The Greek writer Herodotus noted that crocodiles were revered as sacred animals in some parts of Egypt. Temple complexes dedicated to the crocodile god included special pools in which sacred reptiles lived.

Their heads were adorned with earrings, and their paws were decorated with bracelets with precious stones. After death, their bodies were mummified and buried in a special cemetery (such a cemetery was found in Kom Ombo).

However, there were areas in Egypt where crocodiles were hunted and killed.

This polarity found its explanation and reflection in myths. The Egyptian god Sebek is very multifaceted and ambiguous in them. It can merge with the image of Amon or the solar god Ra, sometimes in the form of the god Sebek-Ra, can act as a hypostasis of the god Khnum or Osiris, and can assimilate with the image of Set - the worst enemy of Osiris and Horus.

In other myths, Sebek shares the title of “King of Egypt” with Horus and helps him (in particular, he finds in the waters of the Nile and brings his hands, cut off from Horus in a fit of anger by his mother Isis, which then Isis herself returns to the place with the help of magic) .

Mythological consciousness does not obey the laws formal logic and that the same god can be both good and evil, for him there is no contradiction.

Sebek - patron of the pharaohs

When the pharaohs of the XII dynasty, who originated from Fayum, began to rule in Egypt during the Middle Kingdom, Sebek began to be revered as the patron god of the pharaohs.

The legendary female pharaoh from this dynasty bore the name Sebekneferu - "Sebek is beautiful" (c. 1790-1786 BC). Her pyramid complex, built in Mazgun (4 km south of Dashur), is one of the last pyramids erected in Egypt.

The tradition to include the name of Sobek in their names was continued by the pharaohs of the XIII dynasty, many of whom were called Sebekhotep - "Sabek contented" (Sebekhotep I, II, III, IV, V).

Some pharaohs of the 17th dynasty (c. 1650 - 1567 BC) also bore similar names - Sebekemsaf I and Sebekemsaf II. The inclusion of the name of the god in the name of the pharaoh speaks of the great importance of the cult of Sebek in that period.

With the onset of the New Kingdom period, the Egyptian pharaohs no longer bear the name of the crocodile god. However, the statue depicting the relatively small ninth pharaoh of the XVIII dynasty Amenhotep III (c. 1402 - 1364 BC) and the much larger Sebek sitting next to him (now in the Luxor Museum), suggests that the crocodile god during this period did not lose his functions as the patron and protector of the Egyptian pharaohs. These same features remained with him almost until the end of the era of the pharaohs, including the kings-pharaohs of the Greco-Roman period.

Family ties of the crocodile god

If Neith was considered Sebek's mother, then with the rest family ties more and more difficult. The wife of the crocodile god could be Hathor, sometimes the goddess of the harvest Renenutet.

His son from the goddess Hathor in the triad of Kom Ombo was the god Khonsu, and in the Fayum oasis from the matrimonial union with Renenutet, his son was the god Horus.

In a number of myths, Horus himself appears in the form of a crocodile during the search in the Nile for parts of the body of his father Osiris, who was treacherously killed and dismembered by the cruel Set.

Why don't crocodiles have a tongue?

And Egyptian myths give their answer to this question.

When Set killed and chopped up Osiris, he scattered the parts of the body of his murdered brother throughout Egypt, and threw his phallus into the waters of the Nile.

Sebek, despite the repeated warnings of the gods not to eat meat, neglected these words and, seeing the phallus, swallowed it.

Although he did not know at that moment who this part of the body belonged to, the punishment of the gods was cruel - Sebek cut off his tongue.

That is why, as the Egyptians believed, crocodiles do not have a language.

Egyptian god with crocodile head

Since many mythological images are associated with Sebek, his images differ significantly.

Traditionally, Sebek was depicted as a man with the head of a crocodile, with a headdress that includes a disk of the sun with high feathers, uraeus (sometimes two), often fanciful horns.

Characteristic for such an image of the crocodile god is the presence of a tripartite wig.

A little less often, an atef crown (a high pin-shaped crown with two feathers on the sides) or a combined crown of Upper and Lower Egypt is depicted as a headdress.

The Egyptian god of water could also be depicted in a zoomorphic form - in the form of a crocodile with a similar headdress.

In the image of Sobek-Ra, he is depicted as a crocodile with a solar disk and a uraeus on his head.

As Horus, he could be depicted as a crocodile with the head of a falcon.

In addition, the Egyptian god Sebek could be depicted with the head of a ram, lion or bull.

Protective amulets in the form of a crocodile were widespread in Egypt, not only among the nobility, but also among ordinary people.

In the Greco-Roman period, the solar aspects in Sebek were so significant that the Greeks often identified him with Helios - Greek god sun.

The oldest god of ancient Egyptian mythology, he had the appearance of a man with a crocodile head. Sometimes he is depicted differently - as a crocodile with a human head. The hieroglyphic record represents the god as a crocodile, which sits honorably on a pedestal, which is similar to the spelling of the name of the god Anubis, depicted as a dog. There is no agreement on how to properly pronounce the god's name. The two most common options are Sebek and Sobek.

God of fertility and the Nile

According to historians, the origin of the cult of Sebek took place in the lowlands of the Nile River, where a huge number of crocodiles lived in the numerous branches of the delta. Many chroniclers single out these reptiles as an integral Egyptian symbol, like ibises and snakes. Unfortunately, in modern times, widespread urbanization has led to the disappearance of crocodiles in the Nile.

But this does not mean that the deification of crocodiles was due to their number. Rats or sparrows are found in large quantities, and counting them is simply unrealistic. They live next to people all the time, but no one has ever made them deities. And this is despite the fact that the harm caused by rats is much greater than the harm received from crocodiles.

Of course, the power of the crocodile allows him to suddenly rush at his prey, he is very fast, both in water and on land. This animal can easily kill a person, and there are many such cases when a careless hunter fell into the mouth of a crocodile. But catching these reptiles has always been common among the ancient Egyptians. They portrayed Sebek with the help of one of the caught crocodiles and worshiped him.

The surviving image shows that the crocodile, which served as the avatar of the deity, was decorated with bracelets and earrings. One cannot agree that the animal was pleased to endure all the procedures, and he steadfastly wore all the jewelry. As the results of archaeologists' searches show, gold and silver were the invariable attributes of all such Sebeks, because there were several such reptiles.

The sacred animal was presented as a receptacle where the spirit of the god was placed. Natural old age and death, which invariably came, was not a problem for the ancient Egyptians. They made a mummy out of a reptile and buried it in the ground. A new crocodile came to replace, which was also decorated and prayed to him. On what grounds was the animal chosen? this moment unknown.

Near the settlement of Kiman-Faris, which was previously called Shedit (translated from ancient Greek - Crocodilopol), archaeologists have found about two thousand mummified reptiles. Some of them are exhibited in . According to statistics, a crocodile lives about the same as a person, even a little more. If we make a certain calculation, taking into account that not all crocodiles were found, and Sebek's avatar really died a natural death, then a time period of about twenty thousand years comes out. But who knows, maybe in ancient Egypt all crocodiles were turned into mummies.

The described facts indicate that Sebek has always been held in high esteem in all ancient eras. An unpleasant avatar did not mean at all that the god himself was evil. You can't even call him cruel. Sebek - "the giver of life, his feet endow people with the waters of the Nile." Approximately such words are written in the Book of the Dead. Like Osiris, Sebek is the god of fertility, he is the owner of the Nile River, all fresh water and animals living in the rivers. Prayers of fishermen and hunters were sent to Sebek, because reed thickets were the main place of their fishing. He helped the souls of dead people to go the way to Osiris.

There is a record that testifies to the petition of one man to God to help him in the struggle for a woman. The deity controlled many aspects of the life of the Egyptians. One of the songs contains words in which Sebek is given the title of “god who hears prayers”, no ancient Egyptian god has such a title.

God Sebek - inventor

There is a legend that tells about the invention of the fishing net. Hapi and Amset - two sons of the god Horus hid in the waters of the Nile from the god Ra, who could not be found. Or maybe he was too proud for that. God instructed Sebek to complete the task so that he would find great-great-great-grandchildren, with whom the brothers were Ra. With the help of his hands, Sebek sifted through the entire Nile through his fingers, and he managed to find the fugitives. This is how the fishing net was born. Of course, this narrative lacks smoothness and harmony, but the meaning of the legend is clear.

God bloodline

The history of the origin of the deity is rather vague. Considering two options. The first is that Ra was the creator or parent of a god. The second - Sebek was generated by the primary ocean Nun. Based on some historical evidence, it is suggested that he is the son of Neith, but there is almost no evidence of this. There is no information about Sebek's wife either. So mysterious is the deity, who was like a cunning guard, faithfully serving Ra. He was also greatly revered by mortals, who distributed miniature amulets with his image everywhere.

Sebek and the ancient Egyptians

Sebek was revered back in the days of the Old Kingdom - the era of construction and. It is mentioned in one of the incantations of the Pyramid Texts.

Amenemhat III, who was the pharaoh of the twelfth dynasty, erected a large temple in the city of Faiyum. It was dedicated to the god with the head of a crocodile. Not far from the temple, a labyrinth was built, where they were engaged in religious rites, which were dedicated to the god Sebek. The system of the temple resembles the building in Abydos, where they worshiped Osiris, the labyrinth there was also part of the temple. In Faiyum, mummified crocodiles were discovered. The popularity of the deity is also confirmed by the fact that the wishes “May Sebek keep you” were often written in letters.

Many temples were located along the Nile Delta, but other places are also known where buildings were erected to worship the deity. For example, in Kom Ombo (Ombos), which is located at the head of the Nile, the remains of a temple have also been preserved, and an excursion to is now an integral part of tourist cruises on the Nile. Temples of Sebek and mummified crocodiles are found even in, which has never been a cultural center.

Technological theorists in the field of ancient myths will be interested in the fact that archaeologists have found papyri containing twelve hymns that praised the crown of the god Sobek. Its main advantage was that it destroyed all enemies, because it sparkled brightly like the sun.

Similarly, Akhenaten, according to legend, dispersed an army of forty thousand soldiers. And he did this thanks to the crown, or rather the rays emanating from it.

One story is curious. Osiris, when finally resurrected, was left without a reproductive organ. According to legend, it was eaten by a crocodile. I wonder if Sebek was also involved in this incident? In addition, there are several statues that depict the mummified Osiris, located on the back of Sebek.

Sebek is popular today. If you look at what interesting things you can do, then the figurines of the ancient gods will be in one of the first places in the list of souvenirs. And the palm in the list of gods in that case is worn by Anubis with the head of a jackal and Sebek, made in the most bizarre forms.

Which of us in childhood was not fascinated by Egypt, with its pyramids and gods, mummies and their treasures? And how many films have been made, and are being made to this day, about all kinds of priests and gods. Who among us has not dreamed at least once to look at one of the seven wonders of the world - Pyramids of Egypt and the Sphinx? Egypt is beautiful and mysterious, interesting for its history, beckoning with information about the great pharaohs and queens who once lived on this earth, or about the almighty pagan gods and cults.

The mysteries of Ancient Egypt have not been solved to this day and, perhaps, will never be solved, and will remain the great mysteries of history. There are many myths and rumors about who built the pyramids. Maybe it's the creations of an alien mind? After all, the ancient Egyptians did not have the technology to lift heavy boulders so high. Or maybe the gods of Ancient Egypt, whose list of names we have known since childhood, helped their subjects?

Although one riddle is about the curse of the pharaoh's tomb, scientists still managed to solve it, as it turned out, there is no mystical curse, but there is a special substance that ancient tombs were treated with to preserve treasures, which is very toxic and can cause poisoning to death.

All this was a very long time ago and now, for sure, it is impossible to find out the whole truth about the mysterious and alluring Ancient Egypt. Many historians are interested in the gods of Ancient Egypt, their pictures often decorate school history books, home calendars, dishes, etc. Many designers create interiors for homes and restaurants in the Egyptian style. But how do people know what the gods of Egypt looked like, their names and their meanings? Everything is very simple, images of gods and pharaohs, their names, sphere of activity, crafts and historical events, all this was carved on the walls of pyramids, stones, was written on tombs and papyrus. Then the archaeologists deciphered the ancient signs and symbols and conveyed their guesses and discoveries to historians.

Gods of Ancient Egypt list and description.

Amon - first the god of air, then became the god of the sun. It was presented as a man, with a crown and two high golden feathers on it, sometimes he could appear as a man with a ram's head.
Anubis is the patron of the world of the dead. Depicted as a man with the head of a black jackal. Sometimes he could appear completely in the form of an animal, namely a black dog.
Apophis is the god of darkness and darkness, the eternal enemy of the sun god. Lives underground. Depicted in the form of a huge snake. Ra fought him every night.
Ah - a lower deity, part of the essence of man, an intermediary between gods and people, the afterlife incarnation of the pharaohs.
Bast is the god of fun, good luck and the hearth. Protected the poor, small children and old people. Seen as a dwarf with a lush beard.
Buhis is a god embodied in the form of a black and white bull. Depicted in a crown with two long feathers and a solar disk.
Horus is the god of the earth, the divine ruler of Egypt. It was presented in the guise of a man on whose head a duck was depicted.
Ming is the god of fertility and reproduction of people and animals. Depicted as a man with a disproportionately large hard phallus (a symbol of fertility), one hand is raised up, in the second he holds a whip. On the head is a crown with high golden feathers.
Montu is the god of war. He had the appearance of a man with the head of a falcon, on his head a crown with two feathers and a solar disk, holding a spear in his hand.
Osiris is a democratic god, the god of hunting and war. He was also considered the god of fertility. Most revered by the common people of Egypt.
Ptah is the god of craft and creativity, truth and justice. He was seen in tight clothes, holding a staff in his hands.
Ra is the most famous Egyptian solar god, was seen with the head of a falcon crowned with a solar disk.
Sebek is the god of rivers and lakes. He was depicted as a man with the head of a crocodile, on his head a golden high crown.
Thoth is the ancient Egyptian god of knowledge. He holds a long thin staff in his hands.
Hapi is the deity of the Nile River, the patron of moisture and harvest. He presented himself as a fat man with a huge belly and female mammary glands. On his head is a crown of papyrus, in his hands he holds vessels with water.
Hor is the god of heaven and royal power, the patron of the army. The Egyptian pharaohs were considered the incarnation of Horus on earth. Depicted as a man with the head of a falcon.
Heh - the embodiment of the elements. In the images - a man with a frog's head.
Khnum is the creator of people, the god of creation, water and the setting sun. Created the life-threatening rapids of the Nile River. Depicted as a man with a ram's head.
Shai is a god vine, patron of wealth. Later he began to be considered the god of fate, who determined the time of the course of human life.
Shesemu - the god of the afterlife, guarded the mummy and punished sinners. God of embalming.
Shu is the god of air who separates heaven and earth. Depicted in the form of a man who is on one knee, raising his hands up, and holding the heavens.
Yah is the god of the moon. He was represented in the form of a man crowned with a lunar disk and a lunar crescent.

As in all pagan cultures, the most important deity was the god, personifying the sun. The sun gives strength and fertility to the earth. The sun starts the day and gives light. The cult of Ancient Egypt is no exception, and therefore the supreme god of Ancient Egypt is the god of the sun - Ra.

Gods of ancient Egypt pictures and names.

Certainly, pagan culture The ancient Egyptians were not limited to gods in male incarnation. Female deities were revered by the Egyptians no less than male ones. Very often the gods had both male and female incarnations.

Egyptian goddesses, names and their meanings.

Amaunet - in the male incarnation of Amon, later his wife. The embodiment of the elements. Depicted as a woman with the head of a snake.
Amentet - the goddess of the realm of the dead, who met the souls dead people on the other side.
Anuket is the patroness of the Nile. Depicted wearing a papyrus crown.
Bastet is the well-known goddess of female beauty and love, the keeper of the house. Also the patroness of fun and joy. Depicted as a woman with a cat's head or as a graceful sitting black cat. Very often you can find figurines with the image of Bastet.
Isis is the goddess of fate and life. The keeper of only recently born children and dead people. They were depicted as a woman with cow horns on her head, on which the solar disk rests.
Maat is the goddess of truth and justice. Depicted as a woman with a large feather on her head.
Mert-seger is the guardian of the peace of the dead. Those who disturbed the peace of the dead and ravaged the graves were punished by taking away their sight. She was depicted as a woman with a snake's head, or vice versa, in the form of a snake with a woman's head.
Neith is the mother of the gods, then the goddess of art and war. Often depicted in the form of a cow.
Nut is the sky goddess who raises the dead. It was presented in the form of a woman, spread over the earth, like the sky.
Sekhmet - the goddess of heat and heat, is able to send and heal diseases. Most often it was presented in the form of a woman with the head of a lioness.
Seshat is the patroness of science and memory. She was depicted as a woman in the skin of a panther with a star with seven ends on her head.
Tefnut is the goddess of moisture and liquid, a woman with the head of a lioness.

Egyptian gods, photos and names.

In fact, there were many more gods in Ancient Egypt than indicated here, but many of them have not been fully studied. There may be an image of a deity or his name, but the object of his patronage is not disclosed. Despite everything, the history of Ancient Egypt is a very interesting and completely unexplored scientific area, and modern people treat Egyptology with understandable awe and interest.