Horus and Khonsu Similarities

I decided to purchase a large book of Ancient Egyptian Gods and Goddesses, so that I can learn more about the deities, even ones not connected to the Asetian path... so I came across two deities that I could not tell them apart. Horus (Heru) and Khonsu, or (Khens and many other spellings for his name). They appear so much alike to someone who is new to all of this, until you notice that Khonsu has the Moon symbol above his head, when Horus often has the Pharaoh's crown. But both appear as Falcon-headed Gods. Those two deities seem to be the only two being so alike. Is there a significant reason behind this? Is Khonsu another face of Horus? Or is Khonsu another incarnation of Horus?

I would like to hear some of your thoughts on this.

It would not surprise me if they were the same. They do appear very much alike, and Khonsu would seem to translate as Serpent King, and not Placenta King like the site I went to so blatantly said. Horus as ruler of the sky automatically attributed him with moon and sun for Egyptologists, but if, like Khonsu, he was ruler of the moon (or night sky), it would line up well. At least that's how it seems to me, that there is an intrigueing parallel between them.

Daniel09 wrote:Horus as ruler of the sky automatically attributed him with moon and sun for Egyptologists, but if, like Khonsu, he was ruler of the moon (or night sky), it would line up well. At least that's how it seems to me, that there is an intrigueing parallel between them.

Oh interesting, it did not say this in my book.

I think to answer this question we need to see a God in Egyptian mythology not as one static entity and representation as other mythology and religion understand their gods .
An Egyptian God , could express himself through multiplicity of forms , names , and facets representing different aspects of his personality and powers , while the true form never truly revealed ,also under same animal form could be manifestation of several gods .
A God as in Egyptian beliefs , is never static but always extending , is permanently being reborn and recreating himself ,undergoing change and changing his manifestations and form according to his will .
This could seem confusing but I think Asetian Bible and study of lineages helps for better understanding of this concept .


Hellen

They can - theoretically - have been the same person, although the name of Khonsu seems to pre-date Horus, being far older. Probably Horus' name in the Sep Tepy?

Hmmm... bloodthirsty?

For a very long time I have been speculating that perhaps Khonsu is the name of Horus before he became the Pharaoh... It also makes sense, since as Victor said, Khonsu seems to be an older name than Horus, so maybe that was his name as a young man before becoming a Pharaoh. Also, isn't Khonsu always shown as a young man when in the form of a human and not a Falcon? If so, then this also should make us wonder...

Aghrab

There are some speculation in the most evolved scholar circles in what comes to the possibility of Khonsu being Horus' name as the Prince of Kemet, before reaching Pharaoh.

The metaphysical symbolism seems to support some of these theories, given that Khonsu had a half-circle in his Crown Shen, reflecting his divine power but his yet incomplete evolution. However, Horus, wears the exact same symbolism, but instead of half a circle, he bears a complete circle in his Crown Shen, pointing to a stage of enlightenment and developed spiritual growth, from his earlier stage as Khonsu. The young Prince that became a Pharaoh.
Many Egyptologists misinterpret this symbolism, and read it as a representation of the Moon and the Sun, which is not the case. This is purely metaphysical symbolism and represents the deities' Crown Shens, their connection to the divine - Aset -, and not solar or lunar facets of their nature. But even if so, the Sun and the Moon would be echoed in Horus and Khonsu as two shades of the same fabric. Two faces of the same power - Aset's Firstborn.

We all know Pharaohs changed their name once they reached power, and Horus clearly is a Pharaoh's name. To the eyes of the world, his princely name remains unknown... and the Aset Ka will surely keep it that way.

The spiritual and deeply Kemetic concept of True Name, or The Name of the Soul, also comes into play in this particular theory. Horus was Kemet's beloved Pharaoh, their divine leader at some point in Pre-Dynastic history, the superior commander of the Army of the Gods... however, the common people would never know his True Name, given the dangers that would bring into his security from such a disclosure. Horus to mankind. Khonsu to his Family. A God torn between two worlds and a responsibility higher than to command a nation... the One to lead the spiritual Empire of Aset through the ages... and into Eternity.

Maktub

Superbly said Maktub

Amazing post, Maktub. Thank you for sharing the wisdom.

Amazing insight, Maktub.
Knowledgeable and eloquent, as always.
Thank you for sharing that precious information with us, it actually does contain rare gems for the Asetianists researching that subject.

Good Post, Maktub.