Haroeris

Haroeris, or Horus the Elder, is a major ancient Egyptian deity and one of the principal forms of Horus. The name Haroeris is the Greek rendering of this deity. He is usually depicted as a falcon or a falcon-headed man and is commonly shown wearing the double crown of Upper and Lower Egypt, sometimes with a sun disk.

Role and nature: Haroeris is a sky god associated with kingship and protection. He represents the mature, legitimate ruler and acts as a guardian of the pharaoh, in contrast to Horus the Child (Harpocrates), who embodies a more youthful aspect of the divine Horus.

Mythology: In various myths, Horus the Elder appears within the Osiris mythos as part of the dynastic order and the protection of Osiris’s legacy. His identity and relations with other Horus forms reflect the complex theology surrounding kingship, rulership, and divine authority in ancient Egypt.

Cult and worship: The worship of Horus the Elder persisted across different periods, with particular association to temple cults devoted to Horus in various centers. A notable temple link is with Horus of Edfu, highlighting the regional prominence of Horus as a royal and protective deity. Images and inscriptions throughout Egypt reference Haroeris in roles connected to sovereignty and safeguarding the realm.

Iconography: Common symbols include the falcon form, often shown with the double crown and sometimes with a sun disk. He is sometimes depicted with royal regalia such as scepters or ankh symbols, aligning with his function as a guardian of kingship. The broader Eye of Horus motif is connected with the Horus mythic complex.

Legacy: As a central form of Horus, Haroeris contributed to the ancient Egyptian concept of divine kingship and protection, influencing royal iconography and religious art across multiple eras.