Osiris facts for kids
In ancient Egyptian mythology, Osiris was a very important god. He was known as the god of life, death, the yearly flood of the Nile River, and the afterlife. He was married to his sister Isis, and they had a son named Horus.
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The Story of Osiris
Osiris was once the pharaoh (king) of Egypt. His brother, Set, was jealous and wanted to be king instead. Set tricked Osiris into getting inside a special box. Once Osiris was in the box, Set quickly closed it and poured lead over it, so Osiris couldn't get out. This is how Osiris was murdered.
However, Isis, his wife, was very powerful. She managed to bring Osiris back to life for just one night. This was long enough for her to have their son, Horus. When Horus grew up, he fought against Set and defeated him, becoming the new pharaoh. Even though Osiris was brought back to life for a short time, he became the ruler of the Underworld.
Osiris's mother was the goddess Nut, and his father was Geb. He also had another sister, Nephthys.
Why Egyptians Loved Osiris
Ancient Egyptians really loved Osiris because he was a kind and wise king. He taught them many important things. He showed them how to live by law and order, helping them move away from wilder ways. Osiris also taught them how to farm the land, which was very important for their food. He even taught them the right ways to worship the gods.
After making Egypt a better place, Osiris traveled to other lands to share his wisdom and make peace. When he finished his travels, he returned to Egypt.
Osiris's Role in the Afterlife
Osiris was known as the god of the Underworld. He was also one of the Nine Gods, who were a group of important deities. One of his main jobs was to be the final judge of the dead. When people died, their hearts were weighed against a feather to see if they had lived a good life. Osiris would then decide their fate in the afterlife. He also protected people from dangers in the Underworld. The journey from life to death was seen as a big and sometimes risky experience.
What Did Osiris Look Like?
Osiris was usually shown looking like a mummy who was also a pharaoh. He wore a tall, white crown called an atef crown, which had feathers on its sides. In his hands, he held a crook and a flail, which were symbols of a pharaoh's power. Osiris often had green skin. This green color was very important to the Egyptians because it symbolized new life and rebirth, just like plants growing from the earth.
Images for kids
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Head of the God Osiris, from around 595–525 B.C.E. at the Brooklyn Museum.
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Osiris with an Atef-crown made of bronze, found in the Naturhistorisches Museum (Vienna).
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Ptah-Sokar-Osiris, a god made up of parts of three different gods.
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The family of Osiris. Osiris is in the middle on a lapis lazuli pillar, with Horus on the left and Isis on the right. This piece is from the Twenty-second Dynasty and is in the Louvre in Paris.
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A rare Egyptian clay sculpture that might show Isis mourning Osiris. The woman is raising her arm, a common sign of sadness. From the Musée du Louvre, Paris.
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A judgment scene from the Book of the Dead. The dead man, Hunefer, is led by Anubis (who has a jackal head) to the judgment hall. His heart is weighed against a feather, with Ammut waiting and Thoth recording the result. Then, a successful Hunefer is presented by Horus (who has a falcon head) to Osiris, who sits on his throne with Isis and Nephthys. (British Museum)
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Osiris-Nepra, with wheat growing from his body. This is from a carving at Philae. The growing wheat showed the idea of coming back to life.
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A bust (head and shoulders sculpture) of Serapis, a god who combined Osiris and other gods.
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The Philae temple on Agilkia Island, seen from the Nile River.
See also
In Spanish: Osiris para niños
