Ancient Egyptian Beliefs

Starting around 3,000 BC, the ancient Egyptians practiced a complex religion that was important to their daily life and culture. This mythic religion was polytheistic; they worshiped multiple gods. Some of their gods were represented by animals or had animal heads, such as

• Horus, representing royal power and protection who is often pictured as a falcon or half-falcon;
• Anubis, the god of the afterlife who is shown as a jackal;
• Bastet, the cat goddess who was known for protecting homes, women, and children.

You may have learned about Egyptian mythology in school. It is a fascinating and intricate subject, with many rituals, including those surrounding mummification. We learned a lot about ancient Egyptian beliefs when the pyramids were explored by archeologists who shared what they learned with their part of the world. These Europeans did not “discover” the pyramids, of course. The area surrounding the Great Pyramid in Giza, for example, has been continually inhabited since it was built, and was never “lost.”

Modern Egyptian Religions

Today, the state religion of Egypt is Sunni Muslim, and an estimated 85-95% of Egyptians practice this religion. Approximately 5-15% are Christians, and other religions, such as Judaism, are practiced by a few. The ancient Egyptian beliefs are now classified as mythology, and are no longer considered to be a religion. It is a captivating subject of study, and many people embrace it as a special interest.