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Meet the Egyptian Deities Trivia Quiz
The Egyptian deities, a pantheon of gods and goddesses, were integral to the ancient Egyptian understanding of the universe and daily life. Match these 12 based on their appearance and objects in each scene. (Click the images for a closer look!)
Nov 13 2024
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Guest 90: 7/12
Nov 09 2024
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Guest 23: 12/12
Oct 25 2024
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Guest 50: 12/12
Oct 12 2024
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Guest 51: 12/12
Oct 09 2024
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Strike121: 0/12
Oct 07 2024
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Guest 203: 4/12
Oct 06 2024
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Guest 24: 0/12
Oct 05 2024
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Guest 104: 0/12
Oct 04 2024
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Kabdanis: 12/12
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. Anubis
Anubis is associated with mummification and the afterlife. He is often depicted as a man with the head of a jackal, a symbol connected to his role as a protector of graves. Anubis' jackal head is typically black, symbolizing the color of mummified flesh and the fertile soil of the Nile, which represents rebirth.
In many depictions, Anubis is shown wearing a kilt and carrying a crook and flail, items that symbolize his authority and role as a guide for the dead. As the god of mummification, Anubis presided over the embalming process and the rituals that prepared the deceased for the afterlife.
2. Thoth
Thoth is known as the Egyptian god of wisdom, writing, and knowledge. He is often depicted with the head of an ibis, a bird associated with wisdom and learning, or sometimes as a baboon. Thoth is usually shown holding a scribe's palette and a reed pen, tools of his role as the divine scribe who recorded the deeds of humans and the decisions of the gods.
He wears a lunar disk and crescent headdress, highlighting his connection to the moon and timekeeping. Thoth is credited with inventing hieroglyphic writing and was believed to maintain the universe's balance by keeping an accurate record of time and events.
3. Sekhmet
Sekhmet is known as the Egyptian goddess of war, destruction, and healing. She is often depicted as a woman with the head of a lioness, symbolizing her fierce and powerful nature. Sekhmet is usually shown wearing a solar disk and a uraeus (a rearing cobra) on her head, representing her connection to the sun god Ra and her role as his protector.
She is often seen holding an ankh, the symbol of life, and a scepter, which signifies her authority. Sekhmet was believed to have the power to bring plagues and pestilence upon her enemies, but she was also revered for her ability to heal and protect. Temples dedicated to her were often centers of healing, where priests and priestesses performed rituals to invoke her aid in curing diseases and injuries.
4. Isis
Isis is an ancient Egyptian deity known as the goddess of magic, motherhood, and fertility. She is one of the most important goddesses in Egyptian mythology and is often depicted as a beautiful woman wearing a throne-shaped crown. In many depictions, Isis has large, colorful wings that spread out from her arms, symbolizing her protective nature and ability to fly between the realms of the living and the dead.
She is typically shown wearing a long, flowing dress and holding an ankh, the symbol of life, or a scepter, representing her royal status. As the wife of Osiris and the mother of Horus, she played a crucial role in the myths surrounding the resurrection of Osiris and the protection of Horus. Isis was revered for her magical abilities, which she used to protect her family and heal the sick.
5. Hathor
Hathor is the Egyptian goddess of love, beauty, music, dance, fertility, and motherhood. She is sometimes depicted as a cow, symbolizing her nurturing and motherly nature. When depicted as a woman, Hathor is typically shown wearing a headdress that includes a sun disk surrounded by cow horns, which highlights her connection to the sun god Ra and her role as a sky goddess.
She is typically adorned in a long, elegant dress and is seen holding a sistrum, a musical instrument associated with joy and celebration, or an ankh, the symbol of life. Hathor was believed to protect women during childbirth and to offer comfort to the dead as they journeyed to the afterlife. Her temples served as centers for music and dance.
6. Osiris
Osiris is known as the Egyptian god of the afterlife, resurrection, and fertility. He is a central figure in Egyptian mythology, particularly in the stories about life after death and the cycle of rebirth. Osiris is typically depicted as a mummified man with green skin, symbolizing rebirth and the fertile land of the Nile. He often wears the Atef crown, which is white with two ostrich feathers on either side, and a royal headdress.
In his hands, Osiris usually holds a crook and flail, symbols of kingship and authority. As the husband of Isis and the father of Horus, Osiris plays a crucial role in the mythology surrounding the afterlife and the judgment of souls. According to myth, Osiris was murdered by his brother Set, but he was brought back to life by Isis. This story emphasizes his association with resurrection and eternal life. Worship of Osiris involved elaborate rituals and ceremonies aimed at ensuring a safe passage and a prosperous afterlife for the deceased
7. Ma'at
Ma'at is an ancient Egyptian deity who personifies truth, justice, and cosmic order. She plays a crucial role in maintaining balance and harmony in both the universe and human society. Ma'at is typically depicted as a woman with an ostrich feather, known as the Feather of Ma'at, on her head. This feather is a symbol of truth and justice. She often wears a simple yet elegant dress and is sometimes shown holding an ankh, the symbol of life, or a scepter, representing her authority.
In the context of the afterlife, Ma'at's feather is used in the "Weighing of the Heart" ceremony, where the hearts of the deceased are weighed against her feather to determine their worthiness for the afterlife. If the heart is as light as the feather, the deceased is deemed righteous and allowed to enter the afterlife; if not, they face a grim fate.
8. Sobek
Sobek is an Egyptian deity known as the god of water, fertility, and crocodiles. He is associated with the Nile River and its life-giving properties. Sobek is typically depicted as a man with the head of a crocodile, symbolizing his power and connection to the Nile. He is often shown wearing a headdress featuring the solar disk and the uraeus, a rearing cobra, which signifies his divine authority and connection to the sun god Ra.
Sobek is often adorned with an ankh, the symbol of life, and a was-scepter, representing power and dominion. As a protector, Sobek was believed to ward off dangers from the waters, such as floods and threats from crocodiles, and to ensure the fertility of the land by controlling the waters of the Nile. Temples dedicated to Sobek were often located near bodies of water, and crocodiles were sometimes kept in these temples as sacred animals.
9. Set
Set, also spelled Seth, is an ancient Egyptian deity known as the god of chaos, storms, deserts, and war. He is usually associated with disorder and violence, but he also plays a role in maintaining balance by opposing other gods. Set is typically depicted as a man with the head of a mysterious animal, often called the Set animal, which has a long, curved snout, square ears, and a forked tail. He is sometimes shown with red hair or eyes, emphasizing his connection to chaos and disruption.
Set often wears a kilt and carries a was-scepter, symbolizing power, and an ankh, representing life. He is also depicted holding a spear or a mace, highlighting his role as a warrior. Set is most famously known for his conflict with his brother Osiris, whom he killed out of jealousy, and his subsequent battles with Osiris' son, Horus, for the throne of Egypt. Despite his association with negative aspects, Set was also revered as a necessary force in the cosmos, representing the essential balance between order and chaos.
10. Bastet
Bastet is known as the Egyptian goddess of home, fertility, childbirth, and cats. She also embodies protection, music, and joy. Bastet is typically depicted as a woman with the head of a lioness or a domestic cat, symbolizing her dual nature as both a fierce protector and a nurturing figure. In her images, she often wears a long, elegant dress and a necklace, and is sometimes adorned with an aegis, a decorated collar or breastplate.
Bastet is frequently shown holding a sistrum, a musical instrument associated with festive ceremonies, and an ankh, the symbol of life. As a protector of homes and families, she was believed to ward off evil spirits and disease, especially those affecting women and children. Cats, which were sacred to Bastet, were kept in homes to protect against vermin and were often mummified and buried with their owners. Temples dedicated to Bastet, such as the one in Bubastis, were centers of worship and celebration, where festivals in her honor included music, dancing, and feasting.
11. Wadjet
Wadjet is an ancient Egyptian deity known as the goddess of protection, especially of the pharaoh and the nation. She is also associated with the land and fertility. Wadjet is typically depicted as a woman with the head of a cobra, symbolizing her role as a fierce protector.
Wadjet is sometimes portrayed holding a staff or a papyrus scepter, highlighting her connection to the land and its fertility. As one of the earliest Egyptian deities, she was originally worshipped in the Nile Delta region, particularly in the city of Buto. Wadjet was also considered a solar deity and was closely associated with the Eye of Ra, which represented the sun god's power and wrath. Her protective role extended to the afterlife, where she was believed to safeguard the dead.
12. Horus
Horus is the Egyptian god of the sky, kingship, and protection. He is often depicted as a man with the head of a falcon, symbolizing his dominion over the sky. Horus is sometimes shown wearing the double crown of Egypt, which represents his rule over both Upper and Lower Egypt, signifying the unification of the country. This crown, called the Pschent, consists of the white crown of Upper Egypt and the red crown of Lower Egypt.
Horus is frequently depicted holding a was-scepter, symbolizing power and dominion, and an ankh, the symbol of life. As the son of Osiris and Isis, Horus is central to the myth of Osiris, where he avenges his father's death by defeating his uncle Set, the god of chaos. This myth underscores his role as a protector and rightful ruler. Horus was also associated with the pharaoh, who was considered the living embodiment of Horus on Earth. Temples dedicated to Horus, such as the one in Edfu, were important centers of worship and depicted his many battles and triumphs.
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