Myths and Legends vocab

Myth

A traditional story, often involving gods or supernatural beings, that explains the origins, beliefs, or natural phenomena of a culture.

Legend

A traditional story rooted in historical events but shaped and exaggerated overtime.

Pantheon

The complete set of gods and goddesses in a particular mythology or religion.

Hubris

Excessive pride or arrogance, especially when it leads a character to challenge the gods or natural order.

Deity

A god or goddess; a divine being worshipped by a culture.

Fate

The predetermined course of events, often believed to be controlled by a higher power and unavoidable

Pharaoh

The ruler of ancient Egypt, believed to be both a leader and a divine figure

Isis

An Egyptian goddess of magic, healing, and motherhood, known for restoring her husband Osiris to life after his gruesome murder and then helping him transition into ruling the underworld. Isis is often shown as a beautiful woman wearing a throne shaped crown, with wings spread wide to protect and heal, holding a scepter or an ankh, dressed in a long Egyptian style gown.

Osiris

An Egyptian god of the afterlife and judge of the dead, associated with resurrection, eternal life, and fertility. The myth of Osiris, who was killed and restored to life by Isis, inspired the Egyptian process of mummification as a way to preserve the body for the afterlife. Osiris is often shown as a mummified man with green or black skin (symbolizing rebirth and fertility), wearing the Atef crown (a tall white crown with ostrich feathers), holding a crook and flail (symbols of kingship and authority), and wrapped like a mummy. Powers. Resurrection, judgement of the dead, control over fertility of the land, and rule over duat (underworld).

Duat

The Egyptian underworld where souls journey after death, facing trails, monsters, gates, and magical spells. Souls are guided by gods like Osiris, Anubis, and Isis, and judged on their morality and knowledge. Those who succeed may reach the field of reeds, the eternal paradise. The duat is also where the Sun God Ra travels at night, battling chaos before rising again.

Ma’at

The ancient Egyptian concept of truth, balance, order, harmony, and justice, personified as a goddess. Ma’at helped maintain cosmic and societal order and guided the judgment of souls in the afterlife. She is often depicted as a woman wearing an ostrich feather on her head, sometimes outstretched wings, and dressed in a long Egyptian gown. The feather of Ma’at is used to weigh the hearts of the dead against their deeds.

Isfet

The ancient Egyptian concept of chaos, disorder, injustice, and wrongdoing; opposite of Ma’at. Isfet represents everything that threatens balance in the universe, society, and the afterlife. It was often depicted as darkness, serpents, or destructive forces in Egyptian art. Pharaohs and gods were responsible for defeating Isfet to maintain cosmic and societal order.