Osiris

The common answer to all the provided mythology questions is **Osiris**, an essential deity in Egyptian mythology who is most notably the god of the afterlife, the dead, and resurrection. Osiris is a key figure in Egyptian religion, and his story plays a central role in the mythological narrative surrounding death, resurrection, and the transfer of kingship.

### Explanation:

Osiris was one of the most important gods in ancient Egypt. As the god of the dead, he presided over the afterlife and the judgment of souls. According to Egyptian mythology, Osiris was the son of Geb (the earth) and Nut (the sky), and the brother of Set, Isis, and Nephthys. He married his sister Isis, and together they had a son, Horus. 

The myth of Osiris centers on his murder by his jealous brother Set, who dismembered Osiris and scattered his body parts across Egypt. His wife, Isis, collected the pieces (except for one part, which was eaten by a fish) and, with the help of Anubis and Thoth, resurrected him. After his resurrection, Osiris became the ruler of the underworld (Duat). His son Horus later avenged Osiris’s death by defeating Set. 

Osiris is often depicted as a mummified figure with green skin (symbolizing rebirth and regeneration), holding a crook and flail, and wearing the Atef crown. The Djed pillar, symbolizing stability, is closely associated with him as well. His myth served to explain the cycle of life, death, and rebirth, themes that were crucial in the Egyptian understanding of both the cosmos and the role of the pharaoh.

### Clues Used Across Multiple Question Stems:

1. **Dismemberment and Reassembly**: 

   - Osiris is consistently described as being tricked by Set, killed, dismembered into pieces (usually fourteen), and then reassembled by his wife Isis. This key part of his myth is frequently mentioned, highlighting his death and subsequent resurrection.

2. **Crook and Flail**:

   - Osiris is often depicted holding the crook and flail, symbols of kingship and the pharaoh’s authority. These objects are iconic to his imagery and show up repeatedly in descriptions of him.

3. **Atef Crown**:

   - Osiris is depicted wearing the Atef crown, a white crown with two ostrich feathers. This is a frequent visual description used to identify him in Egyptian art and mythology.

4. **Associated with the Djed Pillar**:

   - The Djed pillar, representing stability and continuity, is often said to be the backbone of Osiris, symbolizing his resurrection and eternal nature. This is a prominent feature of his myth and iconography.

5. **Set as His Murderer**:

   - Set, Osiris’s brother, plays the role of the villain in Osiris’s myth, killing him and scattering his body. This conflict between Set and Osiris is a recurrent theme in the questions.

6. **Resurrection by Isis**:

   - Isis’s role in bringing Osiris back to life is crucial. This act of resurrection allows for the conception of their son Horus, who later avenges his father. Isis’s importance as the restorer of Osiris appears in multiple questions.

7. **Green Skin**:

   - Osiris is often depicted with green skin, representing his association with rebirth, fertility, and regeneration, especially connected to the cycles of the Nile River’s flooding.

### Related Quizbowl Facts That Appeared in More Than One Toss-up on qbreader.org

1. This god was dismembered into fourteen pieces, but his wife Isis reassembled his body except for the part eaten by a fish. The symbol of the Djed represents his ___1___.

2. His distinctive headpiece, the ___2___ crown, contains two ostrich feathers on the sides.

3. He holds the crook and ___3___, representing his royal authority and role as king of the afterlife.

4. This god’s myth centers on his murder by his brother ___4___, who later fought his son Horus.

5. He is often depicted with green skin, symbolizing his connection to ___5___ and rebirth.

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Answers for the blanks:

1. Backbone

2. Atef

3. Flail

4. Set

5. Fertility

1. **Osiris is cut into pieces by Set** – 21 occurrences

   - Osiris is murdered by his brother Set, who dismembers his body and scatters the pieces across Egypt.

2. **Isis revives Osiris** – 18 occurrences

   - After Osiris is killed and dismembered, his wife Isis gathers the pieces and revives him, enabling the conception of their son Horus.

3. **Osiris wears the Atef crown** – 17 occurrences

   - Osiris is frequently depicted wearing the Atef crown, which consists of the Hedjet with two plumes or ostrich feathers.

4. **Osiris is the god of the dead and ruler of the underworld (Duat)** – 16 occurrences

   - Osiris becomes the ruler of the Egyptian underworld (Duat) after his resurrection and is closely associated with death and the afterlife.

5. **The djed pillar is Osiris's backbone** – 10 occurrences

   - The djed pillar symbolizes stability and continuity and is associated with Osiris, often said to represent his backbone.

6. **Osiris's body is found in a tree in Byblos** – 10 occurrences

   - After being sealed in a coffin and thrown into the Nile by Set, Osiris's body is found encased in a tamarisk tree in the palace of Byblos.

7. **Osiris is the father of Horus** – 9 occurrences

   - Osiris is the father of the god Horus, who is conceived after Isis revives Osiris.

8. **Osiris's phallus is eaten by a fish** – 8 occurrences

   - In some versions of the myth, Osiris's phallus is eaten by an oxyrhynchus or another fish, and Isis creates a replacement out of gold.

9. **Osiris is associated with fertility and agriculture** – 7 occurrences

   - Osiris's role extends to being a god of fertility and agriculture, often symbolizing life and rebirth.

10. **Osiris holds the crook and flail** – 6 occurrences

    - Osiris is often depicted holding the crook and flail, symbols of kingship and authority that later became associated with the pharaohs.

These are the most commonly repeated clues about Osiris across the different quiz bowl questions.