Khonsu: Egyptian God of the Moon

Khonsu: Egyptian God of the Moon

Khonsu: Egyptian god of the moon, was one of the numerous Egyptian gods and goddesses. The spellings of his name include Khensu, Chunsu, Chons, Khonshu, and Khons.

More about Khonsu

More about Khonsu

The moon’s patron god in ancient Egypt was named Khonsu. Most of his worshippers came from Thebes. He used the crescent moon as his emblem.

More about Khonsu

More about Khonsu

His name means ‘traveler’ led people to assume that he was the guardian of travelers, especially at night. He also served as the deity of healing, though.

Dark Side

Dark Side

Khonsu had a darker side as well. He appears to have been viewed as a fierce and dangerous god in the early days of Egyptian history.

Dark Side

Dark Side

Sometimes he is described as a bloodthirsty deity who aids the deceased monarch in catching and devouring the other gods in the ‘Cannibal hymn’, and he is referred to as ‘Khonsu who lives on hearts’ in the Coffin Texts.

Mighty Khonsu

Mighty Khonsu

He was referred to as the “mighty bull” during new moons and was connected to a neutered bull during full moons.

Mighty Khonsu

Mighty Khonsu

In addition to ruling the month, this god was also thought to have ultimate control over the bad spirits who plagued the ground, the air, the sea, and the sky.

Connection with other Gods

Connection with other Gods

Khonsu was linked to a variety of different deities. He was referred to as “Khonsu-Djehuti” in Khumnu, connecting him to Thoth.

Connection with other Gods

Connection with other Gods

He was connected to Ra, Shu, Min, and Horus while in Thebes. Osiris and Khonsu, who later went by the name of the two bulls, stood in for the sun and the moon, respectively.