Land of the Dead
Well you didn't think Egypt stopped at 25 death gods, did you? Welcome to the home of the more rarely seen gods and goddesses, including a few who just creep people out. Oh, I wouldn't smash any bugs while you're here.
As you enter the tomb, a stone slab slams down behind you. In the flickering torchlight you see thousands of insects. Scorpions scuttle towards you along with a living carpet of beetles. You try to suppress a scream as a massive centipede begins to crawl up your leg. Then the torch goes out.
Out of respect for the proud country that brought us the Egyptian pantheon, all funds go to the Africa Way Foundation.
Faces here: 9
As you enter the tomb, a stone slab slams down behind you. In the flickering torchlight you see thousands of insects. Scorpions scuttle towards you along with a living carpet of beetles. You try to suppress a scream as a massive centipede begins to crawl up your leg. Then the torch goes out.
Out of respect for the proud country that brought us the Egyptian pantheon, all funds go to the Africa Way Foundation.
Faces here: 9
Contents at a Glance
Death in Egypt
Our ancestors were wise, and prepared over a lifetime for death. Prayers, penance, offerings and more would pave the way. Once properly embalmed and buried with the right prayers and world's oldest crib-sheet there were judges left to face. A person who lived with Ma'at in his heart would pass into paradise. If not, the soul and entire memory would be erased from time forever.The gods and goddesses connected with death were a comfort. Egypt thousands of years ago had many hazards. You could easily die and be lost in the desert. Poisonous snakes, scorpions, and centipedes abounded. Rats could strike food stores at any time. And the Nile could take away what she gave. Add the threat of drought, plague, and invasion, and you see why gods and goddesses were befriended and loved long before death.
Due to a lack of proper art some gods and goddesses are shown by animal form. These animals are sacred but not divine.
WARNING!!!!
Please do not attempt to handle ANY wild animal to "get in touch with" Deity. Many of these animals are deadly and the anti-venoms are rare or non-existent in the United States.
Harmachis (aka the Sphinx)
This sun god was an avid hunter. He truly despised Set and his followers. So much so that he would take the form of a man-headed lion to destroy them. In a famous later tale the giant statue of the Sphinx would adopt an unloved and lonely prince as his son.
When the Sphinx's promise became true the adopted son followed his promise. As Pharaoh he had the sand removed from obscuring the statue of his god and father. He is the Lord of Secrets Harmachis is not only connected with sexual secrets, he is also a destroyer of evil. He ravages evil beings like the mighty lion he is.
This is of course but one face of the Sphinx. This animal gaurdian can also be female.
When the Sphinx's promise became true the adopted son followed his promise. As Pharaoh he had the sand removed from obscuring the statue of his god and father. He is the Lord of Secrets Harmachis is not only connected with sexual secrets, he is also a destroyer of evil. He ravages evil beings like the mighty lion he is.
This is of course but one face of the Sphinx. This animal gaurdian can also be female.
Khepri
He is most often seen as a beetle-headed god. While that might induce jitters in some, he and his holy animals are essential. Just like a scarab beetle lays its eggs in dead things, he can overcome death to bring new life. He is the god who ushers the sun safely underground and back up every night. In this form he is associated with the dung beetle. The scarab is his symbol and a symbol of rebirth and regeneration.
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Nehebkau (AKA Nehebu-Kau, Nehebkhau)
He is one of the oldest Egyptian gods, and a snake one at that. He loves swimming around in primordial waters, and giving protection. He protects gods and humans in life and the afterlife. He is often seen giving food to the dead, so we know he is loving.
He can be overly aggressive at times, but has calmed down after being, well pierced with a nail. He can also be a judge of the death in the afterlife. That's a lot of work for one snake god, but he also has to watch over the soul as well. Ang gaurd the gateway to the underworld. Nehebkau always has time for prayers sincerly offered to him, though.
He can be overly aggressive at times, but has calmed down after being, well pierced with a nail. He can also be a judge of the death in the afterlife. That's a lot of work for one snake god, but he also has to watch over the soul as well. Ang gaurd the gateway to the underworld. Nehebkau always has time for prayers sincerly offered to him, though.
Nekhebet
She of the white crown, marvelous vulture goddess and protector of the South along with Seth. After he fell her star only rose, to shine over all. She is seen as the motherly protector of the ruler, and often holds symbols of eternal life. Her sacred bird is of course the vulture, who fills a vital role. Without the vulture to eat the dead, Egypt would soon be wrought with disease. Nekhebet may be a protector from both disease and one who tends to the dead lost in the desert. She is often seen with snake goddess supreme Wadjet.
Sepa (aka Sep)
This centipede god has a lot going for him. He can prevent snake bites and scorpion stings. He can also appear as a mummy with centipede horns, since he is a special friend to each corpse. How? Well centipedes love to eat the bugs that eat dead folks. Just remember that centipedes are poisonous. Some say he is a path of Osiris. Though most likely he was done away with as centipedes do give folks the heebie-jeebies.
Serket
Mortuary goddess of Egypt. She protects the canopic jars that store the vital organs. This is vital for the loss of even one organ is the loss of eternal life. She most often takes the form of a scorpion. As if that was not enough, she is the special portectoress of Qebehsenuef, who in turn gaurds the canopic jar containing the large intestines.
The Sphinx
Although this sacred animal had many forms, her most famous one was connected to the war and solar lion goddess, Sekhmet. The mighty female creature gaurded the dead, and in that sense the Sphinx is an early gargoyle of sorts. But the Sphinx is truly the deadly protector of sacred knowledge and will destroy those who seek power for the wrong reasons. The famous Sphinx in Giza is based on the queen or pharaoh Hatshepsut. She is bearded to show her right to rule as the mighty queen she was.
Uraeus
The holy or good cobra that protects the dead in the travel to the underworld. He or she is often reared protectively in the front of the boat the soul rides on.
Wadjet (AKA The Green One, Wadjit)
This snake headed goddess rocked Egypt every December 25th. She not only had a festival, several in fact, but she was the protector of the North. Wadjet would be seen as the sun disk on tombs and always went before Pharaoh. She would go on to become the protector of all of Egypt and her deadly sacred animals were revered as protectors. Those who angered her could expect a cobra attack. She is an eye of Re, and as Wadjet-Bast she would astound the world with her warrior might. She isn't know as the Lady of Flame for nothing.
Buy Like an Egyptian
Mau, Baby
This cat is truly that old and her beauty adorns the walls of tombs. Sacred cat, family cat, and trusted family member, she's more than worthy of her status. Buying Egyptian Mau items here helps sens fuunds back to Africa, where she comes from.
When Cats Reigned Like Kings: On the Trail of the Sacred Cats
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SWEATSHIRT BLACK " OWNED BY EGYPTIAN MAU " X-Small
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Egyptian Mau Cat Italian Charm Bracelet
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Domestic Cat, Silver Egyptian Mau Female Photographic Poster Print by Jane Burton, 16x12
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Death Notes
Yup, still got 'em
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- 0ctavias0fferings 0ctavias0fferings Jul 16, 2009 @ 11:35 am
- Excellent lens 5*
Faces of Death
Be Afraid, Very Afraid
LOL! Try and visit each one brave surfer. Best of luck!
- Faces of Death
- Far before recorded history humankind has seen Death as a God or Goddess, angel, demon, or friend. In the Catholic Church for example the archangel Michael is referred to as the Angel of Death. Ancient Aztecs, Egyptians, and all other cultures have some form of personified death.
- Faces of Death II: Pandemic
- Hey kittens! Hopefully you've surfed over from the first lens. If not, the whole purpose of both lenses is to help people face death. The best way is personification. Who better then, to show you than gods, goddesses, demons, angels or more?
- Faces of Death III: Death Checker
- You had to know I'd use that joke sooner or later. Welcome to the third installment of Faces of Death. As always I hope this page helps you face death, or at least come to terms with him or her.
- Faces of Death IV: Flight to Egypt
- All of my loyal readers have made the FoD installments my best lens group ever. Also my first one, but you hear me, right?So let's take a look at the next 25. Here we can stop by the Nile and stare into the depths as the gods and goddeses welcome us.
- Faces of Death V: Death of the People
- The installments are like death, everywhere. I'm not trying to incite riots. Death of the people, as in man of the people? You get it? Good. The faces of death here will be the ones largely adopted by common every day people. No fancy attire required.
- Faces of Death VI: Dragon Attack!
- Dragon gods and goddesses have a long history. Often they bring life, but in anger or by accident they bring death as well. These faces of death are most often kind and giving, but they do have famous tempers.As you enter the lair you feel hot air waft over your face. A rumbling growl grows into an
- Faces of Death VII: Angels Among Us
- A long time before man was even created, the angels existed. Bonded to God by a time span eons long, they do pretty much as He says. Tremble then mortal as you consider His holy angels of death.As I know my visitors have diverse backgrounds there are a couple of proto-angels.
by Nightcat
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