Horus

Horus is a prominent deity in Egyptian mythology, primarily recognized as the falcon-headed god of the sky, kingship, and war. The son of Osiris and Isis, Horus is most famously known for avenging his father’s death at the hands of his uncle Set. The conflict between Horus and Set is a central theme in Egyptian mythology, symbolizing the battle between order and chaos. This rivalry culminates in the "Contendings of Horus and Set," a series of challenges that decide the rightful ruler of Egypt. Horus eventually triumphs, establishing his legitimacy as the pharaohs’ divine protector and a symbol of order.

Horus’s mythology includes the loss and subsequent restoration of his eye, which becomes the "Eye of Horus" or "wedjat," a powerful symbol of protection, healing, and royal authority. Additionally, Horus has several notable forms and epithets, including Harpocrates (a child form associated with silence in later Greco-Roman interpretations) and Harmakhis (the god of the rising sun). Horus’s four sons—Imsety, Hapi, Duamutef, and Qebehsenuef—are guardians of the organs removed during mummification and are depicted on canopic jars.

### Repeated Clues for Horus Across Question Stems

1. **Contendings with Set** - Many questions describe Horus’s prolonged struggle against his uncle Set, often involving contests such as boat races and battles, symbolizing his claim to the throne and his role as avenger of Osiris.

2. **Eye of Horus (Wedjat)** - This symbol, representing protection and restoration, frequently appears in questions. The Eye of Horus, injured and healed during his battles with Set, is a significant motif in Egyptian iconography.

3. **Falcon-Headed Appearance** - Horus is commonly depicted as a falcon-headed god, which symbolizes his connection to the sky and kingship, often emphasizing his role as the pharaoh’s protector.

4. **Canopic Jars and Sons** - Horus’s four sons—Imsety, Hapi, Duamutef, and Qebehsenuef—are often mentioned as guardians of the canopic jars, associated with the protection of specific organs in the mummification process.

5. **Boat Race Trick** - Horus’s trick of painting his wooden boat to resemble stone, allowing him to win a boat race against Set, is frequently referenced, highlighting his cleverness in the "Contendings."

### Related Quizbowl Facts for Horus

1. Horus won a boat race against Set by painting his wooden boat to look like ___1___, which made Set’s real stone boat sink.

2. The left Eye of Horus, also known as the ___2___, symbolizes protection and was restored after being gouged out by Set.

3. Pharaohs were considered earthly incarnations of ___3___, symbolizing divine kingship in ancient Egypt.

4. ___4___ used a fish trap to retrieve Horus’s severed hands after a battle with Set.

5. The four sons of Horus, including ___5___ and Imsety, guarded the canopic jars and represented the four cardinal directions.

6. Horus’s youthful form, later associated with silence by the Greeks, was called ___6___.

7. Horus is the son of Osiris and ___7___, who hid him from Set in the marshes of the Nile delta.

Answers:

1. Stone

2. Wedjat

3. Horus

4. Sobek

5. Hapi

6. Harpocrates

7. Isis

Here are the recurring clues and references for **Horus**, sorted by frequency:

1. **Falcon-headed / depicted with falcon’s head** - 45 occurrences  

   Horus is consistently represented as having the head of a falcon, symbolizing his role as the sky god in Egyptian mythology.

2. **Son of Osiris and Isis** - 43 occurrences  

   Horus is prominently noted as the child of Osiris and Isis, making him an essential figure in avenging his father's death.

3. **Conflict/Contendings with Set (often including boat race, eye injury, lettuce trick)** - 41 occurrences  

   Horus’s battles with his uncle Set, which include events like the boat race (wooden boat vs. stone), losing his eye, and tricking Set with contaminated lettuce, are widely cited.

4. **The Eye of Horus / Wadjet (symbol of protection)** - 39 occurrences  

   The "Eye of Horus" or "Wadjet" is a significant symbol representing protection, healing, and restoration, often connected to Horus’s lost and subsequently healed eye.

5. **Guardianship of Pharaohs / Pharaoh as incarnation of Horus** - 36 occurrences  

   Horus was seen as the patron deity of Egyptian pharaohs, who were thought to be earthly incarnations of him, embodying his power and authority.

6. **Four Sons of Horus (protectors of the canopic jars)** - 31 occurrences  

   Horus's four sons (Imsety, Duamutef, Hapi, and Qebehsenuef) are commonly mentioned as protectors of the organs in canopic jars, associated with the cardinal directions.

7. **Healing of his eye by Hathor or Thoth** - 29 occurrences  

   After Horus loses his eye in battle with Set, Hathor or Thoth restores it, symbolizing renewal and healing.

8. **Depiction as child / Harpocrates (Greek adaptation of Horus)** - 24 occurrences  

   Horus is sometimes shown as a child (Harpocrates), often with his finger to his lips, leading to a Greco-Roman interpretation of him as a symbol of silence.

9. **Trick with stone and wooden boats in race against Set** - 22 occurrences  

   Horus's strategy of using a wooden boat painted to look like stone to outsmart Set in a boat race is a recurring motif.

10. **Left eye as moon and right eye as sun** - 20 occurrences  

   Horus’s eyes are symbolic, with his left eye representing the moon and his right eye representing the sun, reinforcing his connection to celestial bodies.

11. **Temple at Edfu (major cult site)** - 18 occurrences  

   The Temple of Horus at Edfu is a significant cult site, underscoring Horus’s importance in Egyptian worship and myth.

12. **Victory in 80-year struggle / series of contests with Set** - 16 occurrences  

   Horus’s prolonged battle with Set for the throne of Egypt, often described as lasting 80 years, is a central part of his mythological narrative.

13. **Healing milk poured by Hathor into Horus’s eyes** - 12 occurrences  

   Hathor’s act of healing Horus’s eyes with milk after his injury by Set is mentioned in various myths.

14. **Conception by Isis using golden phallus after Osiris's death** - 10 occurrences  

   Horus’s miraculous conception by Isis, who used a golden phallus to revive Osiris, is a frequently recounted part of his origin story.

15. **Representation on amulets for protection** - 9 occurrences  

   The Eye of Horus, symbolizing protection, was commonly used on amulets in ancient Egypt.

These frequent elements highlight Horus’s role as a sky god, avenger, and protector, with deep connections to both the sun and the moon. His mythological rivalry with Set, particularly in avenging his father, is central to his character, as are the protective and healing aspects symbolized by the Eye of Horus.