The Great of Magic
Isis was the most beloved goddess of Egypt, mistress of magic, healing, and motherhood. Daughter of Geb and Nut, she married her brother Osiris and ruled beside him as queen. Her name comes from the Egyptian Aset, meaning "throne" — fittingly, she wears a throne-shaped headdress and embodies the royal seat that legitimized every pharaoh.
When her brother Set murdered Osiris, Isis searched the land for his body, used her spells to revive him, and conceived their son. She is often shown as a kite, a bird of prey, beating her wings to breathe life back into the dead.
Mother and Protector
Hiding in the marshes of the Delta, Isis raised her son Horus in secret, shielding him from Set's wrath with her cunning and magic. This image of mother and divine child shaped Egyptian devotion for millennia and influenced art far beyond Egypt's borders.
Her healing powers were legendary: myths tell how she tricked even Ra into revealing his secret name, gaining mastery over the most powerful magic in creation. Temples to Isis spread across the Mediterranean, where she was worshipped well into the Roman era.
Common Questions
What does the name Isis mean?
It derives from the Egyptian word Aset, meaning "throne," reflecting her role as the personification of royal power.
Why is Isis associated with magic?
She revived Osiris with spells and outwitted Ra to learn his secret name, making her the supreme magician among Egyptian deities.
