Hathor

Hathor was one of the oldest deities in ancient Egypt. The mother Goddess.

Who was Hathor? (Het-heru)

Goddess of Sky, love, joy, fertility, women energy, dance, music, foreign lands. She was protecting childbirth and pregnant women. Her direction is West (she was known as Nile of the Sky, as she was associated with the Milky way) another important name given to her was “Mistress of the West”, as they believed Hathor welcomed souls of the dead in the Tuat.

Appearance of Hathor?

She was depicted either as a woman or as woman with head of caw. Her symbol defining her from other gods was headwear of two horns, holding a sun disk and encircled by uraeus (sacred cobra). Another goddess who wears this symbol is Isis.

Associated with Greek goddess Aphrodite, Roman Venus ~

In mythology?

1. One of the myths represent Hathor as a divine Cow, who gave birth to the world and some gods. She is shown holding the sky, her four legs are the four pillar holding the cosmos.

2. Another myth tells about god Ra ruling over the world, when the humans turned against him and disobeyed him; they deserved a punishment. Then the Right eye of Ra (Sun symbol) in form of Hathor (as a daughter of Ra) started to judge people, many souls were killed, then she turned into Sekhmet –the lioness goddess. God Ra was worried that she would destroy the whole world, so he mixed red color with beer and spread it over the land. Hathor drank from it, thinking that it was blood and became intoxicated, in this way she forgot her mission and humanity was saved until the final day. Then she restored her form as Hathor and returned to home of Ra.

Titles and name?

Hathor name means “house of Horus”, The hieroglyph of her name is shown as wick (meaning the letter “h”), a duck (meaning daughter of Ra), and the cow symbol of the goddess. She had many titles like: Lady of the West, Lady of Turquoise, Lady of Byblos, “She of the Divine column”, Nile of the sky.

Family?

As always don’t be amazed from the family relations of ancient gods in any religion. Hathor was companion of Ra (who was also his father in the myth), and Horus (who was also her son). Her children were: Ihi, Imsety, Hapi.

Temples?

Hathor as one of the most prominent goddesses was worshiped at the temple of Dendera (Upper Egypt). This temple complex is well preserved and covers 40 000 sq.m. In this temple were found amazing preserved paintings, as well as a ceiling with Dendera zodiac, it is shown in round shape all 12 zodiac signs (instead of Aquarius they depicted Hapi –god of the Nile) and 2 eclipses. Some believe it is older than 50 years B.C. The calendar of ancient Egyptians was Lunar.

Hathor face was depicted in a triangular form associating a cow, with ears of cow from both sides of the face, she had plaited hair, typical for the ancient style.

Symbols of Hathor:

Sistrum: ancient Egyptian musical percussion instrument, used in rituals and ceremonies.

Mirror: often the mirrors used by women in Egypt had carved image of Hathor on the handles. (women used eye make up from cohl and crushed malachite stone for green eye shadows. Hathor was associated also with all turquoise jewelry.)

Hathor played a role in guiding the souls of death to the underworld. She is depicted embracing them. Nile river was viewed as bridge to afterlife. The west of Nile was place for death (Egyptians placed their cemeteries there), the east of Nile was place for new beginnings and rituals.

In the legends – The Seven Hathors” symbolizing fate, cycle of life and death, were able to predict the future of a new born Egyptian child.

Esoteric signs of Hathor:

Crystal ~ red Jasper

Color ~ Ocher

Number ~ 10

Scent ~ Patchouli

Animal ~ cow

Flower ~ primrose

Tree ~ elm

Herb ~ dill

Food ~ olive

(*May Hathor guide me to create life and bliss!)  

fantasy image of Hathor with heart 

Hathor as a cow with the sun disk above 

 Hathor with Sobek (crocodile god)