Figurehead - Sculpture of the head of Hathor from ancient Egyptian mythology - Cold pottery

Hathor is a symbolic goddess in ancient Egyptian mythology. Her image and story had a profound influence on ancient Egyptian culture.

Dimensions: 19 x 17.5 x 2 cm

Cold Pottery

In legend, Hathor plays various roles and has different stories. Some believe she was the daughter of the sun god Ra, while others believe she was his wife. One theory holds that she raised Horus. Another claims that upon hearing that the people of the upper Nile and desert regions were attempting to break free from Ra's control, the sun god sent Hathor to punish them. During her mission, Hathor became increasingly bloodthirsty. To stop her, Ra had people pour red wine on the ground. Mistaking it for blood, Hathor drank it, becoming intoxicated and eventually giving up her killing spree.

Hathor is also associated with death and the underworld. She is revered as the protector of the dead and, along with the hippopotamus goddess Taurt, guards the entrance to the underworld, Amunt, to protect the dead. She assisted Osiris in the Titan Wars and was therefore highly revered.

The worship of Hathor played a crucial role in ancient Egyptian history, with centers of worship spread across numerous locations, including Dendera and Edfu. The ancient Greeks often compared Hathor to Aphrodite. Ancient Egyptian miners also worshipped her as the "Turquoise Goddess." Hathor's auspicious symbolism long influenced Egyptian life, with people visiting Hathor temples to pray for healing, fertility, and protection.