Egyptian Traditional Beliefs |
Fact 1 | The religion of the Ancient Egyptians was extremely important to them and touched every aspect of their life. |
Fact 2 | The religion of Ancient Egypt was a polytheistic religion (with many gods). |
Fact 3 | The Ancient Egyptian Gods numbered nearly 2000. |
Fact 4 | The Ancient Egyptian Priests evolved a creation myth, or cosmogny, to explain how some of the Gods and Goddesses came into being and the the nature and genesis of the universe |
Fact 5 | Statues of the Gods - Statues of the Gods and Goddesses were believed in the Ancient Egyptian religion to be living embodiments of the deities. The statues were revered and offered prayers together with physical items such as food and drink. The statues were washed, oiled and adorned with make-up, jewelry and clothes |
Fact 6 | Divine Kingship - The Egyptian Pharaohs were also believed to be living Gods in the Ancient Egyptian religion |
Fact 7 | Pharaohs believed that they became gods in the afterlife |
Fact 8 | The Ennead is the collective name given to the nine original deities (Gods and Goddesses) of the cosmogony of Heliopolis (the birthplace of the Gods) in the creation myths and legends of the Ancient Egyptians. |
Fact 9 | The Male Gods featured in the Ancient Egyptian Ennead were Geb, Osiris, Seth, Shu |
Fact 10 | The Goddesses featured in the Ennead were Isis, Nephthys, Nut, Tefnut |
Fact 11 | Egyptian Gods or Goddesses were often depicted as being part human and part animal. |
Fact 12 | Only the Pharaoh and the Priests were allowed inside the temple |
Fact 13 | Egyptian Gods were offered various gifts, which were accepted by the priests who offered prayers on behalf of the donor |
Fact 14 | Animal Cults - The Egyptians believed that the Spirit of a God resided in specific animals leading to various animal cults in which these animals would be revered and worshipped as reincarnated Gods during their lifetimes. |
Egyptian Traditional Beliefs |