The Triads

The Ancient Egyptians had important groupings of the deities and among these, the group of three deities, Triads, were particularly significant. Two of the most famous triads of Ancient Egypt are the Theban Triad and the Abydos Triad.

The Theban Triad consists of Amun, Mut, and Khonsu. Amun was the chief god of Thebes and was associated with creation, fertility, and the sun. Mut was his wife and often depicted as a mother figure, nurturing and protecting her people. Khonsu was the son, his name means “the Traveler” and he was god of the moon. In the image below, the pharoah Ramesses II placed himself within the Theban triad, replacing Khonsu.

The Abydos Triad consists of Osiris, Aset (Isis), and Horus. Osiris was the god of the afterlife and was often depicted as a mummified figure. Aset was his wife and associated with magic as well as being the Great Mother. Horus was the son and associated with the sky, kingship, and protection.

The Theban Triad and the Abydos Triad were both widely worshiped throughout Ancient Egypt, and their temples were important religious centers. The Theban Triad was particularly important during the New Kingdom period, when Thebes was the capital of Egypt; while from the earliest pre-dynastic times throughout the pharaonic era Osiris and the Abydos Triad were venerated.

A different type of Triad in Ancient Egypt is the Amun-Ra-Ptah triad. This triad consists of three gods who represent different aspects of the same celestial power. Amun, often depcted as a ram god, was associated with hidden power; Ra with the sun, and Ptah with creation and craftsmanship. This triad was particularly significant during the New Kingdom period and was worshipped at the temple of Karnak in Thebes.

E. Wallis Budge, wrote extensively about the Ancient Egyptian triads and noted that “the triads represented different aspects of divinity that were believed to be essential to the functioning of the universe.” Budge also wrote that “the triad was a symbol of the unity of the divine, a representation of the way in which different aspects of divinity could be combined into a harmonious whole.”

In the Payprus of Ani, there is a hymn to the Theban Triad:

“Hail to thee, O Amun, Lord of the thrones of the earth, the oldest of the gods, self-created, and creator of all things.

Hail to thee, O Mut, Lady of heaven, mistress of all the gods, the great mother, who gave birth to the sun.

Hail to thee, O Khonsu, the young, the beautiful, the beloved son, who brings light to the darkness and guides the traveler on his way.”

This hymn highlights the different aspects of divinity that each member of the triad represents. Amun is the creator, Mut is the mother, and Khonsu is the guide. Together, they form a harmonious whole that is essential to the functioning of the universe.