Osiris is the god of the dead and the underworld, resurrection, and civil laws. He is often depicted with green skin, a pharaoh’s beard, and the crook and flail of a pharaoh.
Osiris was the son of Geb (earth) and Nut (sky). He inherited the throne of the pharaoh and brought law, order, and civility to the people of Egypt. He took the goddess Isis as his queen, and together the two deities brought much prosperity to the kingdom. His brother, Set, was jealous of his success on the throne, and he was jealous that his wife Nephthys had disguised herself as Isis and gotten herself pregnant by Osiris. Set sought to get rid of him by drowning him in the Nile River, which is how the Egyptians account for the annual flooding of the Nile that occurs each year. In order to prevent Isis from working any magic to reanimate his brother, Set cut Osiris into little pieces and scattered them all over the earth.
Isis, with the help of Thoth, recovered the pieces of Osiris’ body and with a little magic, brought him back to life long enough for Isis to become pregnant with Horus. She hid Horus away from his uncle Set until he was old enough to come back and battle rightly for the throne. Horus ultimately triumphed over Set and united the Lower and Upper kingdoms of Egypt. The child Nephthys bore was called Anubis, and he took over Duat (the underworld) after his father’s death. The Egyptian pharaohs are thought to rise with Osiris after their deaths and ascend into a heavenly afterlife in Aaru.
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Parents
Geb and Nut
Power / Domain
- Underworld and the Dead
- Resurrection
- Civil Laws
Symbols / Attributes
- green skin
- pharaoh's beard
- crook and flail
Notable Myths
- Seduction by Nephthys
- Murder in the Nile
- Resurrection
How Tos about Osiris: Egyptian God
Engage students with a collaborative Osiris timeline activity
Organize students into small groups and assign each group a section of Osiris's myth or role in ancient Egyptian history. Collaborative learning encourages teamwork and deeper understanding.
Guide research using library and online resources
Provide curated books, articles, and websites about Osiris for students to explore. Encourage critical thinking by having students compare sources and discuss findings.
Facilitate creative presentations of Osiris's story
Invite each group to create a visual or dramatic presentation of their assigned part of the Osiris timeline. Creative expression helps students retain information and enjoy the learning process.
Connect Osiris's symbolism to modern themes
Ask students to reflect on how Osiris's themes of life, death, and rebirth appear in stories or cultures today. Making connections builds relevance and engagement.
Assess understanding with a group discussion
Lead a class discussion where students share insights and ask questions about Osiris and ancient Egypt. Open dialogue reinforces learning and clarifies misconceptions.
Frequently Asked Questions about Osiris: Egyptian God
Who was Osiris in ancient Egyptian mythology?
Osiris was a major deity in ancient Egyptian mythology, known as the god of the afterlife, resurrection, and fertility. He was believed to rule the realm of the dead and judge souls.
What symbols are commonly associated with Osiris?
Osiris is often depicted with an Atef crown, crook and flail, green or black skin, and wrapped like a mummy. These symbols represent his power over life, death, and rebirth.
How did Osiris become the god of the afterlife?
According to Egyptian myths, Osiris was killed by his brother Set, then revived by his wife Isis. This resurrection made Osiris the ruler of the underworld and the god of eternal life.
Why was Osiris important in ancient Egyptian culture?
Osiris symbolized hope for life after death and the cycle of nature. Egyptians believed that following Osiris ensured a peaceful afterlife, making him central to funerary rituals and beliefs.
What is the difference between Osiris and other Egyptian gods?
Osiris is unique as the god of resurrection and the afterlife. While gods like Ra ruled the sun and Horus represented kingship, Osiris was associated with death, rebirth, and moral judgment.
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