Traditional Egyptian Myths - Essay Example

Egyptian Myth A myth is a traditional tale that describes the adventures of superhuman beings that describes the originality of the people, their culture believes, or the traditional mysterious happenings. Myths are perceptions or beliefs that are not true or unsupported. When a myth is alive, some groups of people believe that it is meaningful and it eventually provokes a strong response because it relies on vibrant symbols to tell the story. Additionally, a living myth expresses important views about the world, people’s beliefs, and the values of persons who embrace it.

Moreover, myths provide solutions to life’s challenges to people who accept them. It is symbolic, has a deeper meaning in it, and people judge it by its power to move people emotionally and to reassure people intellectually, or to reaffirm how people experience the world. One of the Egyptian myths is the Racial Myths. It is the worship of animals possessing good and bad spirits. Animals were not feared or worshipped but since they were believed to be in possession of either a good or an evil spirit, people worshiped them.

People bargained with good spirits and they would get the benefits. On the other hand, the evil spirits could not allow reconciliation. They worshipped different animals for different reasons. For example, the crocodile and serpents were at some point the enemies of humanity and the protectors. Serpents were worshipped as household defenders and their images were hung on walls for the purpose of protection. In addition, some people believed that reptiles provided protection to districts. One tribe may look upon a certain animal as a god but another tribe as an incarnation of their Satan.

The black pig was associated with conquers and the mightiest people in society. The fish was sacred and priests were not at liberty to eat it in Egypt, the food that was taboo to the priests was taboo to the Egyptians. In addition, after a burial ceremony, the priests went out to look for an old bull and there was a celebration when the bull was found and the owner was gifted with gold. The elder brother gets the bull and takes it to Pharaoh and later on becomes rich and honored. The bull is then isolated for forty days and is not to be seen by men but by women only (Kramer, 30).

In conclusion, Egyptians believed in the worship of animals as a way to provide for and to protect the Egyptians. They believed that some animals were sacred and that since they possessed spirits, they were worthy to be worshipped. At some point, Juvenal criticized the Egyptians for this practice that the fathers of the church regarded as paganism religion. It is believed that a massive conception of Egyptians and non-Egyptians began during a period when they were perpetuated by custom and conviction.