Thoth: Egyptian God of Wisdom, Writing, and Balance

Thoth, known by his Greek name Thoth, was known to the ancient Egyptians by names such as Jehuty and Tahuti.

Together, we will explore his great story and his various roles as the god of wisdom, writing, magic, and many other fields that made him one of the most prominent gods in ancient Egypt.

Thoth as the God of Wisdom, Writing, and the Moon


Thoth was the god of the moon, wisdom, learning, sacred texts, mathematics, science, and magic, as well as being the messenger and recorder of the pantheon.

He was the master of knowledge and the patron god of scribes. Thoth is often depicted in art as a man with the head of an ibis, often shown holding a tablet and stylus, but he was also depicted carrying an ankh in one hand, representing life, and a scepter in the other, representing power.

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The Ibis Bird: Sacred Symbol of the God Thoth in Ancient Egypt


Temple of Deir el-Medina
Relief im Innenraum des Hathor-Tempels von Deir el-Medina („Kloster der Stadt“), altägyptisch Set Maat („Platz der Wahrheit“), in Theben-West bei Luxor, Ägypten | Date: 8 March 2011 | Source: Own work | Author: Olaf Tausch

Depictions and Symbols of Thoth

On his head, Thoth sometimes wore a crescent moon but was also depicted with the double crown of Egypt.

Thoth was one of the oldest Egyptian gods and was revered throughout Egypt, especially in the city of Hermopolis Magna, where he was worshipped.

The power of his cult was so great that the story was rewritten to make Thoth the creator god, where he created himself through the power of language, then laid an egg from which Ra and the universe as we know it were born.

Although Osiris and Isis were usually credited with bringing civilization to humanity, Thoth was believed to have gifted humanity with writing, medicine, magic, and the religious and social practices of Egypt.

Infographic: Thoth at a Glance

Core Roles

  • Wisdom & Knowledge: Patron of scholars, measurement, and rational order.
  • Divine Scribe: Credited with inventing writing and recording sacred texts.
  • Lunar Deity: Linked to the moon, timekeeping, and calendrical cycles.
  • Mediator: Peacemaker among the gods; restores balance and harmony.
  • Afterlife Recorder: Notes the verdict in the Weighing of the Heart before Osiris.

Symbols & Iconography

  • Ibis-Headed Form: Emblem of intellect and precise observation.
  • Baboon Aspect: Sacred animal form associated with dawn hymns and counting time.
  • Moon Crescent & Disk: Sign of lunar cycles, months, and ritual timing.
  • Pallet & Reed Stylus: Tools of the scribe; writing, record-keeping, decree.
  • Scales of Justice: Balance, order (ma’at), ethical judgment.

Key Contributions

  • Hieroglyphs: Transmission of sacred writing to humanity.
  • Calendar: Regulating months and festivals via lunar observation.
  • Ritual Knowledge: Preserving spells, liturgies, and temple procedures.

Quick Facts

  • Domains: Wisdom, writing, time, law, balance.
  • Epithets: “Lord of Divine Words,” “Master of the Moon.”
  • In Myths: Heals Horus’s eye; arbitrates disputes with Set.
  • Cult: Revered across Egypt; closely tied to priestly and scribal classes.

A picture of a rare God at the Temple of Horus in Edfu.
A picture of a rare God at the Temple of Horus in Edfu. | Date: July 2008 | Source: Own work | Author: Ijanderson977

Thoth's Roles and Symbols

Aspect Description
Wisdom & Knowledge Thoth was the divine scribe and keeper of knowledge, credited with inventing hieroglyphs.
Writing & Hieroglyphs He was believed to have given writing to humanity and maintained records for the gods.
Balance & Justice Thoth ensured fairness in judgment, especially in the Weighing of the Heart ceremony.
Symbols Ibis, baboon, moon disk, writing palette, and reed stylus.
Cult Center Worshipped mainly in Hermopolis (Khemenu).

Thoth in the Afterlife: Recorder of the Dead


He was the scribe of the afterlife and recorded the judgment of the dead in the Hall of Ma'at.

From this role, he gained the titles "God of Balance" and "Lord of Balance." In addition to being the scribe of the gods, he was often described as an advisor to Ra, even standing on the sun barque beside Ra on his nightly journey across the sky.

In many Egyptian myths, Thoth is rarely the main character but acts as a guiding force, as his almost infinite wisdom and knowledge prevent disasters and restore balance to the world.

In the story of Osiris, Thoth gave Isis the spell to revive Osiris after he was brutally killed by his brother Set.

Sesostris' boook of the dead, Papyrusmuseum Wien
Detail from the Book of the Dead of Taruma, 3rd to 2nd century B.C. (Vienna, Austria). Date: 6 October 2007 Source: Own work Author: Manfred Werner - Tsui

Thoth’s Role in Mythological Tales

Thoth also went to save Horus, the son of Isis and Osiris, by expelling magical poison from his body and supporting him in his fight against Set for the throne that was rightfully his.

The Invention of the Calendar


Since Thoth was associated with writing and the moon, it is not surprising that he was also linked with creating the lunar calendar, which governed many civil and religious practices in Egypt.

Thoth was believed to be the inventor of the 365-day calendar, replacing the inaccurate 360-day calendar.

According to legend, he gained the additional five days by gambling with the moon god Khonsu in a game of dice to help the goddess Nut.

Nut had become pregnant by her husband Geb, but Ra forbade her from giving birth on any day of the Egyptian calendar.

Thoth won the game, and his prize was a portion of the moonlight equivalent to five new days.

Nut gave birth to Osiris, Horus the Elder, Set, Isis, and Nephthys on those added days.

The Invention of the Calendar


Thoth was also known as an effective counselor and persuasive speaker, as shown when he convinced Sekhmet to return home when she left Egypt for Nubia.

According to the story, Sekhmet was sent to Egypt to quell a rebellion against Ra.

After killing Ra's enemies, her bloodlust grew to the point where Ra had to trick her to stop her from killing every human on earth.

Feeling betrayed, Sekhmet fled to Nubia, and the world became dark and unbalanced.

Eventually, Thoth, disguised as a baboon, found her and told her that Egypt missed her greatly and that the entire land was suffering in her absence.

Appealing to Sekhmet's maternal side, along with promises of honors and celebrations, Thoth succeeded in bringing Sekhmet back to Egypt, restoring balance to the universe once again.


Moongod Toth. The wise god Thoth has, like the moon, two faces
Moongod Toth. The wise god Thoth has, like the moon, two faces: with a full moon the round head of a baboon, during the waxing period that of an ibis. Here the baboon is seated on a column with the ibis below. Of Thoth himself all we see is his hand on the face of the moon, the rest of the statue is lacking. In Roman-Egypt Thoth is equal to the god Mercurius. Marble, Egypt (?), c. 100-150 AD (inv. 7946) Date: 7 February 2020, 17:28:23 Source: Own work Author: Dosseman


The Legendary Book of Thoth


Egyptian myths also tell of a magical book called the "Book of Thoth," where the god wrote down all the secrets of the universe.

Whoever read it would discover powers and magic beyond their wildest dreams but would be cursed with the new knowledge, causing them to lose their senses and go mad.

Despite the risk of losing one's mind, many grave robbers and enthusiastic archaeologists have strived to obtain this legendary book but to no avail.

While Thoth may not have gained the modern popularity that other Egyptian gods like Anubis have, his importance to ancient Egyptian culture cannot be underestimated.

Without Thoth, both the mortal and immortal worlds would be in complete chaos, a truly terrifying idea at the time.

He was attributed with language, writing, mathematics, science, magic, religious practice, and philosophical thought.

Through Thoth, Egypt and its vast pantheon of gods gained a wise teacher, a sage advisor, and a powerful magician who documented the daily affairs of the living and the dead, keeping the secrets of the universe safe under his wing.

Frequently Asked Questions about Thoth


1. Who was Thoth in ancient Egyptian mythology?

Thoth was the god of wisdom, writing, and balance. He was believed to have invented hieroglyphs and served as the divine scribe of the gods.

2. Why was Thoth associated with the moon?

Thoth was linked to the lunar cycle because he was seen as a regulator of time, calendars, and cosmic order through the phases of the moon.

3. What animals symbolized Thoth?

Thoth was commonly depicted with the head of an ibis, symbolizing intelligence, or as a baboon, associated with dawn and timekeeping.

4. What role did Thoth play in the afterlife?

In the Weighing of the Heart ceremony, Thoth recorded the judgment of souls before Osiris, ensuring justice and balance were maintained.

5. Did Thoth create writing?

Yes, Egyptians credited Thoth with inventing hieroglyphs and preserving sacred knowledge through texts, rituals, and magic.

6. Was Thoth involved in Egyptian myths about Horus and Set?

Thoth acted as a mediator in the conflict between Horus and Set, healing Horus’s eye and maintaining cosmic harmony.

7. Where was Thoth worshipped most strongly?

Thoth’s main cult center was in Hermopolis (Khemenu), where he was revered as the supreme deity of wisdom and balance.

8. How is Thoth connected to Ma’at?

Thoth upheld Ma’at (cosmic order and truth) by ensuring fairness in judgment, recording laws, and preserving ethical order.

9. What symbols are most closely tied to Thoth?

The moon disk, writing palette, reed stylus, and scales of justice are all symbols linked to Thoth’s divine roles.

10. Is Thoth connected to any legendary books?

Yes, later traditions mention the “Book of Thoth,” a mythical text said to contain ultimate knowledge of magic and the universe.

Written by H. Moses
All rights reserved © Mythology and History


References

  • Allen, James P. Middle Egyptian: An Introduction to the Language and Culture of Hieroglyphs. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2014.
  • Hornung, Erik. Conceptions of God in Ancient Egypt: The One and the Many. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 1982.
  • Meeks, Dimitri, and Christine Favard-Meeks. Daily Life of the Egyptian Gods. Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 1996.
  • Pinch, Geraldine. Egyptian Mythology: A Guide to the Gods, Goddesses, and Traditions of Ancient Egypt. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2002.
  • Quirke, Stephen. Ancient Egyptian Religion. London: British Museum Press, 1992.
  • Shaw, Ian, and Paul Nicholson. The Dictionary of Ancient Egypt. London: British Museum Press, 1995.
  • Teeter, Emily. Religion and Ritual in Ancient Egypt. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2011.
H. Moses
H. Moses
I’m an independent academic scholar with a focus on Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. I create well-researched, engaging content that explores the myths, gods, and forgotten stories of ancient civilizations — from Egypt and Mesopotamia to the world of Greek mythology. My mission is to make ancient history fascinating, meaningful, and accessible to all. Mythology and History