Ihy
Encyclopedia
Ihy is a god in ancient Egyptian mythology who represents the ecstasy of playing the sistrum
. His name may mean "sistrum player", referring to his function, or "calf", alluding to his relationship with the cow goddess Hathor
who was often said to be his mother. Other goddesses might be called his mother, however, including Isis
, Sekhmet
, and Neith
. The god Horus
was usually said to be Ihy's father, although at times Ra
took that role instead. Ihy was depicted as a nude child with his finger to his mouth. He was worshiped alongside Horus and Hathor at Dendera
.
Sistrum
A sistrum is a musical instrument of the percussion family, chiefly associated with ancient Iraq and Egypt. It consists of a handle and a U-shaped metal frame, made of brass or bronze and between 76 and 30 cm in width...
. His name may mean "sistrum player", referring to his function, or "calf", alluding to his relationship with the cow goddess Hathor
Hathor
Hathor , is an Ancient Egyptian goddess who personified the principles of love, beauty, music, motherhood and joy. She was one of the most important and popular deities throughout the history of Ancient Egypt...
who was often said to be his mother. Other goddesses might be called his mother, however, including Isis
Isis
Isis or in original more likely Aset is a goddess in Ancient Egyptian religious beliefs, whose worship spread throughout the Greco-Roman world. She was worshipped as the ideal mother and wife as well as the matron of nature and magic...
, Sekhmet
Sekhmet
In Egyptian mythology, Sekhmet , was originally the warrior goddess as well as goddess of healing for Upper Egypt. She is depicted as a lioness, the fiercest hunter known to the Egyptians. It was said that her breath created the desert...
, and Neith
Neith
In Egyptian mythology, Neith was an early goddess in the Egyptian pantheon. She was the patron deity of Sais, where her cult was centered in the Western Nile Delta of Egypt and attested as early as the First Dynasty...
. The god Horus
Horus
Horus is one of the oldest and most significant deities in the Ancient Egyptian religion, who was worshipped from at least the late Predynastic period through to Greco-Roman times. Different forms of Horus are recorded in history and these are treated as distinct gods by Egyptologists...
was usually said to be Ihy's father, although at times Ra
Ra
Ra is the ancient Egyptian sun god. By the Fifth Dynasty he had become a major deity in ancient Egyptian religion, identified primarily with the mid-day sun...
took that role instead. Ihy was depicted as a nude child with his finger to his mouth. He was worshiped alongside Horus and Hathor at Dendera
Dendera
Dendera is a small town in Egypt situated on the west bank of the Nile, about 5 km south of Qena, on the opposite side of the river.-History:...
.