Isis and Osiris

Isis, who was also referred to as the "Queen of Heaven," is the personified deity of the Divine Feminine of Ancient Egypt. For thousands of years of Egyptian history, the Pharaoh was believed to embody the reincarnation of Horus, the mythological son of Isis and Osiris who was suckled and reared by the Mother Goddess herself. Isis embodies the archetypal divine feminine deity in Egyptian mythology, as the mother goddess of creation, life, fertility, regeneration, and protection. She is often represented as the cow-headed sky goddess.

The Story of Isis and Osiris

Osiris is the brother, husband, and lover of Isis. The two are believed to be the original rulers of Egypt who brought peace and civilization to its land. The central conflict of the myth of Isis and Osiris begins with Seth, the brother of Osiris, who seeks power over the Egyptian kingdom and Isis for his wife.

In order to achieve this, Seth tricks Osiris and traps him in a coffin, which is then sent flowing across the Nile River. Isis finds the coffin and hides her husband's body from Seth. However, when Seth does find the body, he cuts it into pieces and spreads the remains across the land of Egypt.

Isis gathers the pieces of her husband and transforms into a hawk before breathing life into the body. Following this act, Isis is impregnated with the future Egyptian heir Horus, the hawk god. This marks Osiris' resurrection and Isis' powers of regeneration, as well as giving birth to the future king of Egypt.

The Divine Triad

Isis, Osiris, and Horus represent a divine trinity that was not uncommon throughout Egyptian mythology. This trinity has been compared to the Christian Holy Trinity, as both contain the elements of father, son, and spirit.

An evolution in the depictions of Egyptian art beginning in the fourth century CE, have revealed the combination of Egyptian mythological elements with Christian and Roman influences. Christianized representations of Horus date to the seventh century, linking the representations of Christianity and Egyptian mythology.

Isis and Mary

The idealized relationship between Isis and Horus has been compared to Mary and Jesus. Early representations of Isis dating back to 20 BCE, depict the mother cradling her son Horus, an image parallel to later depictions of Mary and the baby Jesus.

Other characteristics are also shared by Isis and Mary. Both are revered for assisting women in labor, showing mercy to the distressed, comforting the dying, and protecting sailors, along with their status as healers and guardians of chastity.

Osiris and Christianity

The story of Osiris' resurrection, which is followed by the passing of the throne from father to son, is often compared to the incarnation of Jesus as the son of God, and his subsequent resurrection. Others have compared the sibling rivalry between Osiris and Seth to the biblical Cain and Abel.