Who Is Isis in Ancient Egyptian Mythology?
Isis is one of the oldest goddesses of ancient Egypt, whose biography appears in early sources and eventually became the most famous goddess of Egypt.Although her exact origins are unclear, it was her divine status that made her particularly important.
In the pyramid texts she is included in the sacred Great Ennead (Heliopolis Ennead).
Other references in the pyramid texts indicate that the goddess Isis was constantly associated with the pharaoh in both life and death.
Name, Throne Symbol, and Early Role
The name by which she was known to the ancient Egyptians was Ast, Iset or Osset, which translates as "seat" or "throne" or the female of the throne, strongly suggesting her association with sovereignty.Her original headdress was an empty throne and as a personification of the throne.
The meaning of her name also points to her association with the sun god Ra, but perhaps more strongly to her association with Osiris.
The throne is certainly an essential symbol of the goddess Isis and is present in her hieroglyphic name and statues.
 |
| Isis: Goddess of Love and Magic in Ancient Egypt Image courtesy of The Yorck Project (2002), Public Domain. |
Isis and Osiris: Role in the Myth of Resurrection
Isis is presented as the wife and sister of Osiris, and this is present in the myth of Osiris as well as in the rituals associated with his death.Pyramid texts state that Osiris was beaten by his brother Seth at a place called Nidet or Jehisti; this incident can be linked to the myth that Seth drowned Osiris.
In later times, a belief emerged that death by drowning was a blessed fate because it reminded us of Osiris' death.
In another myth, Seth appears as the enemy of Horus; the text shows that the two are feuding brothers, and in their feud Seth gouged out Horus' eye, while Horus cut off Seth's testicles.
The legend also speaks of Seth violating Horus. But there is a text that shows that Horus also violated Seth.
It is clear that the myth of Horus and Seth was merged with the myth of Osiris and Seth, so that Seth became the brother of Osiris, the uncle of Horus.
Isis as Mother and Protector of Horus
Isis appears in these texts as the mother of Horus and is said to have given birth to him in a place apparently located in the Nile Delta.Her role as Horus' mother becomes increasingly clear over time, although sometimes Hathor also appears in this role.
 |
| Isis with Horus the Child - "Image courtesy of the Walters Art Museum, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0." |
The living pharaoh was equal to Horus; he was also seen as the son of Ra. When the king passed on to the next world, he was recognized as Osiris.
Isis in Funerary Rites and Royal Ideology
This highlights the supreme importance of Isis in funerary rituals. Together with her sister Naphtis, she plays an important role in mummification and cleansing rituals, mouth opening rituals and burial rituals.
 |
| Isis, left, and Nephthys stand by as Anubis embalms the deceased, thirteenth century BCE. A winged Isis appears at top "Anubis, Isis, Nephthys in the Theban Tomb 335 (Nakhtamun), from the reign of Ramesses II. Photo by ShillukinUSA, 17 May 2013, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0." |
The role of Isis in the myth of Osiris is important because it was through her that the dead Osiris was brought back to life and his abilities, including his sexual and reproductive powers, were restored.
It is this close relationship to kingship that distinguishes Isis from other Near Eastern goddesses associated with renewed life after death, such as Inanna and her story of bringing back her lover Dumuzi.
Isis' important role in Egyptian mythology was not always continuous.
A funerary setting is usually associated with both Isis and Osiris.
In coronation rituals, attention is naturally focused on the new king, who is equated with Horus, but since Isis is the mother of Horus (in his form as Horus the Child and Horus the Elder), she appears in some aspect of these rituals, as does Osiris as his father.
Within the mythological pattern, Isis plays a key and important role in the story of the search for the lost Osiris.
The texts refer to Isis' anxiety during the search for Osiris, followed by relief when he is found.
Nephthys joins Isis in the sacred task, while Horus and Jeb are also mentioned.
The search and finding reflects the fear that the king's body would be lost in the Nile or in the desert and thus might be deprived of solace and reassurance about proper burial rituals.
 |
| Picture of mural art, relief, showing the Egyptian goddess Isis in her winged form, from the Philae Temple, Egypt The picture was taken by Kim Bach, Copenhagen, Denmark on 13. october 2004 |
Isis with Nephthys, Hathor, and Other Goddesses
Isis and her sister Nephthys are close to each other in the funeral ritual, not only as sisters with ties to Osiris, but also as sacred figures in the events.
However, Nephthys has a contradictory role: she is mentioned as the wife of Seth and also as the offspring of Geb and Nut, and her close relationship with Isis makes her share a common sexual bond with Osiris.
This is particularly evident in a number of songs and hymns that mention Isis and Nephthys in the Ptolemaic period, where Osiris is referred to as ‘the bull of the two sisters.
Some Egyptian texts also refer to Anubis as the son of Osiris, yet Isis is depicted as the faithful wife of Osiris.
In this context, Hathor has her own primary importance and a close kinship with Isis
Hathor's early claim to be the mother of Horus is implicit. Here a kind of rivalry with Isis emerges, as Hathor's cow form is sometimes partially transferred to Isis. Hathor, like Isis, is the goddess of love, but in a strong and bold form.
Hathor was also the goddess of dance, music and openly indulging in wine.
In contrast, Isis was the goddess of love in its socially accepted form, with motherhood as a central theme.
However, there are some myths in which Horus and his mother Isis are involved in a terrible conflict in which Isis is said to have faced a violent attack from Horus, after which Isis cut off Horus' hand.
The myth explains the reasons why Horus did this and how he separated the head of his mother Isis because his mother preferred Seth, and Thoth returned Isis' head but in the form of a cow's head - this is one of the reasons why Isis appears with a cow's head and is similar to Hathor.
Nut, the goddess of the sky, communicates with Isis through her omnipresence in the funerary sphere.
Nut gives birth to the sun and stars and swallows them at sunset; this has led to her being called ‘the pig’. In the Hellenistic period, the association between Isis and Nut in art by depicting Isis riding a pig.
However, Nephthys has a contradictory role: she is mentioned as the wife of Seth and also as the offspring of Geb and Nut, and her close relationship with Isis makes her share a common sexual bond with Osiris.
This is particularly evident in a number of songs and hymns that mention Isis and Nephthys in the Ptolemaic period, where Osiris is referred to as ‘the bull of the two sisters.
.webp "goddesses Isis and Nephthys watching over the corpse of their Osiris") |
| goddesses Isis and Nephthys watching over the corpse of their Osiris Image by Francesco Gasparetti, licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic (CC BY 2.0). |
Contested Myths: Rivalries, Identities, and Family Ties
Plutarch, in his book on Isis and Osiris, goes further in referring to Osiris's adultery with Nephthys, albeit through a false identity presented by Nephthys and her reincarnation as Isis and lying with Osiris, an act that resulted in the fruit of their illicit union, Anubis.Some Egyptian texts also refer to Anubis as the son of Osiris, yet Isis is depicted as the faithful wife of Osiris.
In this context, Hathor has her own primary importance and a close kinship with Isis
Hathor's early claim to be the mother of Horus is implicit. Here a kind of rivalry with Isis emerges, as Hathor's cow form is sometimes partially transferred to Isis. Hathor, like Isis, is the goddess of love, but in a strong and bold form.
Hathor was also the goddess of dance, music and openly indulging in wine.
In contrast, Isis was the goddess of love in its socially accepted form, with motherhood as a central theme.
However, there are some myths in which Horus and his mother Isis are involved in a terrible conflict in which Isis is said to have faced a violent attack from Horus, after which Isis cut off Horus' hand.
The myth explains the reasons why Horus did this and how he separated the head of his mother Isis because his mother preferred Seth, and Thoth returned Isis' head but in the form of a cow's head - this is one of the reasons why Isis appears with a cow's head and is similar to Hathor.
Nut, the goddess of the sky, communicates with Isis through her omnipresence in the funerary sphere.
Nut gives birth to the sun and stars and swallows them at sunset; this has led to her being called ‘the pig’. In the Hellenistic period, the association between Isis and Nut in art by depicting Isis riding a pig.
Isis in the Stars: Sirius (Sothis) and Cosmic Links
In the astral world, Isis is sometimes identified with the bright star Sirius, or Sothis in the constellation Orion, the latter being equated with Osiris; their sexual union is said to have produced Horus
Attributes and Sacred Symbols of Isis (Throne, Cow Horns, Sistrum)
| Symbol | Description | Meaning / Function | Seen In |
|---|---|---|---|
| Throne Hieroglyph (Ast/Iset) | Throne sign worn as a crown on Isis’s head. | “Seat of power”; legitimacy and royal protection. | Statues, temple reliefs |
| Cow Horns & Solar Disk | Solar disk nestled between cow horns. | Solar life-force; motherhood; link to Hathor. | Late Period, Ptolemaic art |
| Tyet Knot (Isis Knot) | Red knotted amulet resembling the ankh. | Protection, healing, blood of Isis (vitality). | Amulets, mummy wrappings |
| Ankh | Looped cross held by deities. | Life and rebirth; divine breath. | Temple scenes, funerary art |
| Sistrum | Ritual rattle with a hoop and metal rods. | Joy, music, appeasing and invoking the goddess. | Ritual processions, priestess iconography |
| Outspread Wings | Isis with protective, outstretched wings. | Shielding the king and the dead; magical protection. | Sarcophagi lids, shrine panels |
| Djed (with Isis) | Stability pillar often paired with Isis/Osiris. | Endurance, resurrection, stable kingship. | Burial assemblages, temple motifs |
| Sirius (Sothis) | Star associated with Isis’s astral form. | Heliacal rising, flood of the Nile, renewal. | Astro-religious texts, festival timing |
| Vulture & Cobra (Nekhbet & Wadjet) | Royal protectors shown on crowns/diadems. | Dual protection of Upper/Lower Egypt. | Royal regalia, crown friezes |
| Papyrus & Lotus | Plants of the Delta and rebirth flower. | Fertility, regeneration, northern identity. | Offering scenes, decorative borders |
While the sign of the throne is a constant feature in the depiction of Isis, her association with Hathor often adorns her head with cow horns and a sun disc.
In a Middle Kingdom text, Isis identifies herself with the serpent Breath, the royal serpent In the Book of Gates, both Isis and Nephthys appear as uraeus.
Sometimes, Isis is depicted as a serpent in Roman times, along with a serpent in the form of Serapis.
Isis is derived from Sis Trum, the shaker or rattle used to accompany music in sacred rituals; it may have been of African origin. In Greco-Roman times, Isis was often depicted holding both Sistrum and Cetula .A common amulet used in a funerary context is the ‘Blood of Isis’.
It represents the sign of the Ankh, the sign of life, in a form suggestive of a belt. The amulet from the Book of Exodus appears by day ‘You have your blood, Isis, you have your magical power.’ Perhaps the object in question is a ‘bandage to be used for menstruation’.
Magic, Healing, and Protective Amulets
Magical power was often attributed to the goddess, especially in the area of healing.
In the story of Ra and Isis, Isis healed the god Ra by extracting the truth about his hidden name.
Temples and Cult Centers
Several centres of worship were dedicated to Isis, including Bar-Habit in the Nile Delta, Akhmim, Koptu, and Philae Island. It is uncertain where the worship began.Her famous temple at Philae did not receive its fame until the last of the Pharaonic dynasties. Some of these hymns speak of her warlike power.
Isis the Universal Goddess: Spread in the Greco-Roman World
During the post-Pharaonic era, the cult of Isis underwent a remarkable expansion as it spread to most parts of the known world; its spiritual content expanded so much that Isis became a universal goddess who absorbed the functions of many other goddesses.
Isis: From Throne Goddess to Universal Mother
Snapshot of Isis’s roles, symbols, cult centers, and historical reach.
Core Roles
- Motherhood & Protection: Guardian of Horus and royal power.
- Magic & Healing: Master of heka, invoked in cures and protective rites.
- Queenship & Legitimacy: The “throne” embodies rightful rule.
- Funerary Support: Mourner and reviver alongside Nephthys.
Myth Highlights
- Search for Osiris’s body and restoration through sacred rites.
- Conception and protection of Horus against Set’s plots.
- Model for mummification, mourning, and resurrection beliefs.
Key Symbols
- Throne Hieroglyph (Ast/Iset): Seat of power and royal legitimacy.
- Cow Horns + Solar Disk: Solar vitality, motherhood; link to Hathor.
- Tyet Knot (Isis Knot): Protection, life-force, healing.
- Sistrum: Joy, music, ritual appeasement.
- Outspread Wings: Protective embrace over kings and the dead.
- Sirius (Sothis): Astral link, Nile flood and renewal.
Temples & Cult Centers
- Philae: Major pilgrimage hub; late stronghold of her cult.
- Akhmim & Koptos: Important Upper Egypt centers.
- Delta Sites (e.g., Bar-Habit): Northern worship nodes.
Greco-Roman Spread
- Expanded across the Mediterranean in Hellenistic and Roman eras.
- Temples, processions, and mystery rites in Greece, Rome, and beyond.
- Fusion with local traditions; enduring image of a universal mother.
Quick Facts
- Consort: Osiris | Son: Horus | Sister: Nephthys
- Domains: Magic, motherhood, healing, protection, queenship
- Iconography: Throne crown, horns with solar disk, wings, sistrum, tyet knot
In the Ptolemaic period, through merchants and private priests. By that time, the god Sarapis had more or less replaced Osiris as Isis' husband.
However, other gods were still prominent, especially Anubis, who is mentioned in the writings and praises of Isis, in Plutarch's works, and in a huge collection of inscriptions.
In the Book of Isis by Apuleius, Isis claims to be the ‘mother of the universe’ and the ‘master of all the elements’.
Part of this process of expansion was the influx of Greek religious ideas. In particular, Demeter was equated with Isis, and the tangible result was the depiction of Isis with bundles of grain as part of her gift.
The headdress. However, the ‘Isis's knot’ was a feature of Isis's dress derived from Egyptian fashion.
While the mysteries of Isis were partly based on the Greek model, the elements of initiation and secrecy had ancient Egyptian roots.
Frequently Asked Questions about Isis
1) Who is Isis in ancient Egyptian mythology?
Isis is a major Egyptian goddess associated with magic, motherhood, healing, and royal protection. She is the consort of Osiris and mother of Horus.
2) Why is Isis called the “throne” goddess?
Her name (Ast/Iset) relates to the hieroglyph of a throne, symbolizing royal legitimacy and her role as the seat of kingship.
3) What are the key symbols of Isis?
Throne crown, cow horns with solar disk, the Tyet (Isis knot), sistrum, outspread wings, and her astral link to Sirius (Sothis).
4) How does Isis relate to the Osiris myth?
She searches for and restores Osiris through sacred rites, then protects their son Horus, whose victory restores cosmic order.
5) What is the Tyet or “Isis knot” and what does it mean?
An amulet resembling the ankh; it conveys protection, vitality, and healing power linked to the goddess.
6) Where were Isis’s main cult centers in Egypt?
Philae (major pilgrimage site), Akhmim, Koptos, and several Delta locations such as Bar-Habit.
7) How did the worship of Isis spread beyond Egypt?
During the Greco-Roman era, her cult expanded across the Mediterranean with temples, processions, and mystery rites.
8) What roles did Isis play in daily life and ritual?
Patron of healing magic, protective spells, motherhood, and royal authority; invoked in funerary rites with Nephthys.
9) How is Isis represented in art?
As a woman wearing the throne sign or horns with a solar disk, often with protective wings or nursing the infant Horus.
10) What values or ideas does Isis embody?
Maternal devotion, magical wisdom, protection of the vulnerable, and the restoration of order after loss.
References
- Assmann, Jan. Egyptian Solar Religion in the New Kingdom: Re, Amun and the Crisis of Polytheism. London: Kegan Paul, 1995.
- Bleeker, Claas Jouco. Isis and Osiris: The Divine Mother and Son. Leiden: Brill, 1973.
- Griffiths, J. Gwyn. The Origins of Osiris and His Cult. Leiden: Brill, 1980.
- Hornung, Erik. Conceptions of God in Ancient Egypt: The One and the Many. Translated by John Baines. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 1982.
- Lesko, Barbara S. The Great Goddesses of Egypt. Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1999.
- Lloyd, Alan B. Ancient Egypt: State and Society. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2014.
- Meeks, Dimitri. Daily Life of the Egyptian Gods. Translated by G. M. Goshgarian. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 1996.
- Pinch, Geraldine. Egyptian Myth: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004.
- Pinch, Geraldine. Handbook of Egyptian Mythology. Santa Barbara: ABC-CLIO, 2002.
- Teeter, Emily. Religion and Ritual in Ancient Egypt. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2011.
