The Beginning Was Chaos “Much of Egyptian history has been los through the ages; however, enough bits and pieces have survived to provide an understanding of their early religion and mythology. Much of the "Egyptian religion was based more on symbolism than mythology A few stories have been pieced together from hymns, prayers and temple inscriptions. As with all religions, not everyone believed the same. Each king worshiped his own gods, as did the workers, priests, merchants and peasants. “Many scholars believe that writing was invented in order to communicate these beliefs to the pop- ‘lations. Al agree thatthe most important story in Egyptian history isthe myth of creation. “According tothe ancient Egyptians, the Crestor had many forms and names. Some of these included Ra, Ra-Atum, Amon-Ra, and Ra-Horakhy. However, there was only one name for the ‘watery abyss, and that was Nun. In this book the name Ra will be used when discussing the Creator Just as there were several names for the Creator, there were also several versions of ee ation. “The Fayptians believed that in the beginning there were only the waters of chaos. These included darkness and silence. According to one version of the myth, atthe bottom of the abyss lay the Creator, a lifeless form, A mound of earth ose from the waters forming land. The Creator, inthe form of a phoenix with flaming plumage, flew to the land and let out a shrill ery. This was the first sound, The silence was broken forever. ‘Another myth tells us that there were eight creatures with frog heads and serpent bodes that ‘swam through the waters of chaos. These creatures swam together to form a great exe. According to this myth, the Creator hatched from the great egg. Sill another story explains that atone time darkness covered the waters. Then a lotus rose from the abyss. When the petals ofthe lotus opened, a young god was revealed. The child's sweet ‘smell banished darkness. That child was to become Ra, the Sun God, the source of life. At night, when the lotus would sink into the abyss and rest, Chaos would qeign. When the Totus returned at dawn, order would be restored. The forces of chaos and the Sun God, who rep- resented order, were always at war with one another, Even though there were several versions of creation myths, all tll us that the Creator was alone in the beginning. He was lonesome and wanted company. Because he had no mate, his thoughts created other gods and goddesses. He first created a son, Shu; shu represented air. He then created a daughter, Tefnut, who represented moisture. Upon creation, Shu and Tefnut sank into the abyss and were raised by Nun. Creare Esperences in Exypian Mythology 6 (© Wdweatioal Impressions ne. ‘The Creator took one of his eyes and named it Hathor. Ra instructed her to supervise the rising of his children, Hathor became a symbol forthe sun. The Creator promised Hathor that she would always have power over her enemies and that gods and men would always fear her ‘Shu and Tefnut gave birth to Geb, the earth, and Nut, the sky. Geb and Nut later became the parents of Osiris, Isis, Set (Seth). Nephihys and Horus, These gods and goddesses began the history of Egyptian mythology. (Once Ra's children were lost inthe darkness, Hathor, the Eye of Ra, was sent to find them. ‘Upon their return, Ra was so full of joy that he wept tears. These tears created mankind. (© Bdueationl Impressions, Ins. 7 Creativ Experiences in Egyptian Mythology | tt TTS