This powerful image features Goddess Isis with her son Horus and the Goddess Seshat. It documents an important aspect of Egyptian history and mythology and it illustrates Seshat documenting it. It was photographed at the Temple of Hathor in Dendera by Dr. Elsa Field and I am eternally grateful for her permission to use it.
Isis is one of the earliest and most important goddesses of ancient Egypt. Her worship was a major part of Egyptian culture and it spread to Greece, Rome, and elsewhere in the world. Her image abounds on the walls of temples and tombs in Egypt and in museums worldwide. She was known as a healer, physician, enchantress, magician, patron of women in childbirth, mother, and devoted wife.
One of the most striking aspects of her story is her eternal relationship with her beloved Osiris—her brother, husband, lover, and co-ruler. Isis and Osiris shared the same soul and they were raised in the womb of their mother, Nut, along with their siblings Set, Nepthys, and Horus.
Isis and Osiris ruled the rich lands of Egypt and taught their people agriculture, arts, and literacy. Their brother, Set, was jealous of Osiris and devised a plan to kill him—twice. Isis revived Osiris and brought him back, but after the second time, he was never the same again. Isis was able to get pregnant with their son Horus and raised him to claim his rightful place and be the new king. So this temple relief is depicting the birth of a new god born to represent his father in the heavenly realms and on earth.
Osiris became King of the Underworld and Isis the Queen of Heaven; together they ruled. She is often seen as a young mother suckling the infant Horus. This is a beautiful example of her in her mothering pose.