News that had just gone by:
EXCLUSIVE: Akhenaten's new law
Akhenaten has just released a new law: Everyone must worship Aten!
This law has just been issued this morning and if you break it, it may mean death for you!
So....WORSHIP ATEN!
Aten: the king of the gods, a sun disk with rays which ends in hands, some holding amulets
Akhenaten has just released a new law: Everyone must worship Aten!
This law has just been issued this morning and if you break it, it may mean death for you!
So....WORSHIP ATEN!
Aten: the king of the gods, a sun disk with rays which ends in hands, some holding amulets
The Nile won't flood?
There are some rumours regarding the Nile! Many Egyptians now think the Nile won't flood next year! Oh no! What have we possibly done to upset Hapi? Help us, Pharaoh Akhenaten!
For more information go to Important Events - News .
For more information go to Important Events - News .
Welcome to religion and beliefs
If you haven't heard about our gods, either you must be living under a rock, deaf, really dumb or a clueless foreigner (if you are, GET OUT OF OUR COUNTRY NOW!).
But since we like informing people of things they already know, here is an introduction of our gods... (that must NOT be worshipped now)
We believe in many different gods and goddesses. Each one has their own part to play in keeping peace and harmony across our land.
Some of them took part in creation, some decided whether to flood the Nile every year, some offered protection, and some took care of people after they died.
Other gods were either local gods who represented towns, or minor gods who represented plants or animals.
It is important to recognize and worship the gods and goddesses so that our lives continue smoothly.
But since we like informing people of things they already know, here is an introduction of our gods... (that must NOT be worshipped now)
We believe in many different gods and goddesses. Each one has their own part to play in keeping peace and harmony across our land.
Some of them took part in creation, some decided whether to flood the Nile every year, some offered protection, and some took care of people after they died.
Other gods were either local gods who represented towns, or minor gods who represented plants or animals.
It is important to recognize and worship the gods and goddesses so that our lives continue smoothly.
New release!
We have an extensive temple of gods and goddesses!
These gods and goddesses behave a lot like us. They fall in love, marry, have children, and quarrel!
Some of these gods have particular jobs, for example; Thoth is the scribe of the gods while Isis is a healer and magician.
But, because of Akhenaten's new law, these gods are not to be worshipped.
Worshipping the gods
Statues of the gods are worshipped in the temples. Only the king and the priests are allowed to communicate with the state gods, so bad luck.
Since we are not allowed into the inner part of the temple we should just worship the local gods.
But, as we mentioned earlier, because of Akhenaten's new law, these gods are not to be worshipped.
These gods and goddesses behave a lot like us. They fall in love, marry, have children, and quarrel!
Some of these gods have particular jobs, for example; Thoth is the scribe of the gods while Isis is a healer and magician.
But, because of Akhenaten's new law, these gods are not to be worshipped.
Worshipping the gods
Statues of the gods are worshipped in the temples. Only the king and the priests are allowed to communicate with the state gods, so bad luck.
Since we are not allowed into the inner part of the temple we should just worship the local gods.
But, as we mentioned earlier, because of Akhenaten's new law, these gods are not to be worshipped.
Names and responsibilities of the gods (that must not be worshipped now)
Osiris is kind of tired of watching you!
- Atum, the creator
- At the beginning of time, a mound rose out of the sea, with Atum sitting on it. He sneezed, and the twins Shu and Tefnut were born. Atum cried, and mankind grew from his tears...
- Bastet, the cat goddess
- Behold! the cat goddess, Bastet! ~Meow..~
- Re, the sun god
- He was the most important god of the Old Kingdom.
- Isis, the healer and goddess of the sky
- She is the wife of Osiris, mother of Horus, and a healer and magician... whew! She card for Horus and hid him from his wicked uncle Seth until he grew up.
- Osiris, the god of the dead
- He is the god-king of the afterlife. If your heart is lighter than a feather, you will join him in the afterlife, so make sure you do good deeds! Husband of Isis.
- Horus, the link to Egypt's living king and god of the sky
- He is the son of Isis and Osiris and linked to Egypt's living king.
- Thoth, the god of scribes
- He is the god of scribes and knowledge and can take the form of an ibis or baboon. Creepy!
- Anubis, the god of cemeteries
- He has a jackal's head and is the god of cemeteries and mummification. He also guards belongings in the tombs.
- Seth, the god of confusion and chaos
- He's the brother of Isis and Osiris.... and is up to no good. He murdered Osiris and tried to kill Horus.
- Hathor, the god of fertility
- She is the daughter of Re and the protector of fertility and childbirth. She can take the form of a cow or a cow-headed woman.
- Bes, the god of home protection
- He has the ears, man and tail of a lion. He brings happiness to the home and protects it from evil.
- Sakhmet, the goddess of war and vengeance
- Her name means "the Mighty One" and is a woman with the head of a lioness. She accompanies Pharaoh into battle and can send plague and disease.
And many more... (but must not be worshipped!)
Serving the gods
Since the spirits of the gods live within the temples, many people are employed to look after these enormous buildings.
And since we're not allowed into the inner part of the temple, here's a sneak peek of what's inside... revealed by the high priest!
The inner part of the temple and temple rituals
Festival days
And since we're not allowed into the inner part of the temple, here's a sneak peek of what's inside... revealed by the high priest!
The inner part of the temple and temple rituals
- The heart of the temple protected the god. It had a statue version of the god and the high priest washes, dresses, and applies make-up to the statues. (I wonder why the gods can't dress themselves?)
- The high priest or the pharaoh also carries flowers, food and drink to the gods three times a day.
- The priest pours water over these offerings. Incense is burnt in a spoon-like saucer shaped like a forearm with an open palm holding a small pot. Incense is the "perfume of the gods" and stimulates all the senses of the gods.
- While the god's ka is absorbing the offerings, musicians, singers and dances entertains him.
- When the god had finished eating, the food is taken away and divided among the priests and the temple workers.
- In the evening, the god's gown is removed and the statue is put back in its shrine while the Evening hymn is sung.
- After each of these ceremonies the priest puts the bolts back and seals the door, and while bowing, walks backwards from the shrine carefully sweeping the floor to remove any trace of his footprint
- And word says that the high priest has to bathe four times a day, shave their heads and bodies and wear fine, linen gowns!
Festival days
- On festival days, the priests place the god's statue in a shrine and carried it in procession around the outside of the temple. Horus sits on top of a pole that holds the flag.
- Women sing, dance and put on acrobatic displays for the gods in the temple courtyards.
- For more information, please refer to the Entertainment section.