Egyptian Funerary Deities

Osiris

Osiris (wsir) was a central figure in the funerary cults of the ancient Egyptians, his name is written in an idiosyncratic manner and cannot easily be broken down sign by sign. Indeed there is still some dispute as to the exact reading.

or Wsir Osiris name of Osiris without determinative (was written using determinative starting from the Eleventh Dynasty).

Wsir

Osiris Alternative writing from the late Twelfth Dynasty.

As a ‘great god’ (ntr aA), the cult of Osiris was celebrated at many shrines, the most important of which are reflected in his titles “Lord of Djedu” and “Lord of Abydos”.

nb Ddw

Lord of Djedu (written with graphic transposition).

nTr-aA

Great god.

nb AbDw

Lord of Abydos.

These three together represent the classical Middle Kingdom combination of epithets, particularly common in early Twelfth Dynasty.

The writing of Djedu itself changes over time (as well as sometimes displaying graphic transposition).

Eleventh – mid-Twelfth Dynasty

Eleventh – early Twelfth Dynasty

Late Twelfth Dynasty onwards

The pre-eminence of Osiris is reflected in his other name, Khentyimentu (xnty-imntw), “the foremost of the Westerners” (the deceased gathered in the realm of the setting Sun); the name evokes his subjects (the deceased spirits) arrayed before his throne

xnty-imntw

Khentyimentu.

The name Khentyimentu is often included in the offering formula amongst the epithets of Osiris (typical of the early Twelfth Dynasty).

In mythology, Osiris had been a living king at the beginning of history, but was murdered and dismembered by his ambitious brother, Seth. Osiris remains were magically restored by Isis, his sister, who was then able to conceive his child, Horus. Horus grew up to defeat Seth and inherit his father’s throne in a legitimate manner. Osiris is represented as a deceased king, mummiform but with royal regalia, and a green or black skin alluding to the fertility of the Nile floodplain.

Ast

Isis.

Horus.

The passion of Osiris is also reflected in the name Wenennefer (wnn-nfr), which means “the one who continues to be perfect” and hints at his mysterious post-mortem potency:

wnn-nfr

Wenennefer.

Funerary stelae from Abydos and elsewhere often invoke Wepwawet and Anubis alongside Osiris. Represented as a dog or jackal. Wepwawet (wp-wAwt) was an ancient god of Abydos and an active participant in the cult of Osiris: The annual passion-play at Abydos began with the procession of wp-wAwt to protect his father, Osiris. More generally, Wepwawet was associated with cemeteries and funerals, as reflected in his title “Lord of the Sacred Land” (nb tA Dsr), where “sacred land” means cemetery. Even the name Wepwawet (literally, “the one who opens the ways”) recalls the untrodden paths over the desert along which he guided the souls of the newly-deceased to the kingdom of Osiris.

The other major funerary deity was Anubis, whose iconography is close to that of Wepwawet. He also appears in canine form and bears the title “Lord of the Sacred Land”. His other titles are more obscure. Nevertheless, the funerary gods have distinct roles, apparent in the mythology of the funeral: Anubis embalmed the body of the deceased and conducted the burial ceremonies. Wepwawet led the deceased from this world to the next; and Osiris, King of the dead, represents arrival and rejuvenation in the afterlife.