Who are the famous hawks in mythology?

Hawks have long captured the human imagination with their sharp eyes, powerful wings, and deadly hunting skills. They have been featured prominently in the myths and legends of many cultures, often being associated with solar deities or qualities like nobility and watchfulness. Some of the most well-known mythological hawks include Horus from ancient Egypt, Ra from Egyptian mythology, Apollo from Greek and Roman mythology, and Vishnu’s vehicle Garuda from Hindu mythology. This article will explore some of the famous mythological hawks, looking at their origins, key attributes, and role in storytelling.

Horus

One of the most iconic hawk figures in mythology is Horus from ancient Egypt. He was a sky god and the son of Osiris and Isis, who took the form of a falcon or hawk. Horus was associated with the sun, and his right eye represented the sun while his left eye represented the moon. Some of the key attributes of Horus include:

• He was depicted as a hawk or as a human with a hawk’s head
• Horus fought his uncle Set after Set murdered Osiris, fighting for the throne of Egypt
• He was associated with the pharaohs, as the protector of the kingdom
• Horus was linked to wisdom, healing, and avenging wrongdoings

As one of the most important gods of Egypt, Horus featured prominently in myths about the ruler-ship of Egypt and battles between good and evil. His conflict with Set resonated with Egyptian values about harmony and justice.

The Story of Horus and Set

One of the most famous Horus myths focuses on his epic battle with his uncle Set, who murdered Horus’s father Osiris in order to seize the throne of Egypt. When Horus grew up, he fought Set to avenge his father and become the rightful ruler. Their battles and contests highlight Horus’s bravery and cunning. In one contest, Horus collected semen from Set as a show of dominance. In another, Set tore out Horus’s left eye, but Horus recovered it with magic. Their struggle ended in a tribunal of gods who ruled that Horus was the rightful king. He went on to rule justly over Egypt.

Ra

Ra was the ancient Egyptian solar deity, said to rule over all parts of creation. He was often depicted as a hawk-headed man wearing a sun disk on his head. Ra was believed to traverse the sky each day in a solar barque before descending into the underworld at night. Major attributes associated with Ra include:

• He was merged with the god Horus as “Ra-Horakhty” meaning Horus of the Horizon
• Ra was considered the father and protector of the pharaohs
• He was associated with the heat and light of the sun
• Ra was linked to creation, order, and fertility

As an all-powerful sun god, Ra was involved in many Egyptian myths about the cosmos, nature, and theology. His daily movement across the sky was said to be the reason for the passage of time.

Ra’s Solar Journey

One significant Ra myth focuses on his solar journey across the heavens. Each day, Ra was believed to sail his sun barque across the sky, governing the order of the realm. At sunset, Ra descended into the underworld of the Duat where he united with the dead pharaohs and battled monsters like the serpent Apophis. At dawn, he was reborn and sailed the solar barque into the sky again, continuing the eternal cycle of life and death. This myth embodied the Egyptian belief in renewal and rejuvenation.

Apollo

In Greek and Roman mythology, Apollo was the son of Zeus and the god of the sun, light, knowledge, music, prophecy, and more. He was strongly associated with the hawk and other predatory birds like eagles and vultures. Major symbolic attributes relating Apollo to hawks include:

• Apollo was depicted with a hawk as a companion and messenger
• The hawk represented Apollo’s swift action and long vision
• Apollo’s attributes of reason, order, and sight echoed the hawk’s hunting prowess
• Hawks were offered in sacrifice to Apollo

Apollo featured in tales ranging from competitions with musical opponents to tragic love affairs. His associations with prophecy, reason, and intellect reflected the admired qualities of hawks.

Apollo and the Oracle of Delphi

An iconic myth featuring Apollo concerns the slaying of the Python serpent and acquisition of the Oracle of Delphi. According to the myth, Apollo slew the monstrous Python which guarded the sacred chasm at Delphi. After vanquishing it, Apollo established his priestess Pythia there to deliver sacred prophesies and counsel to humans. Pythia sat on a golden tripod over the chasm, allowing mystic vapors to engulf her and send her into a trance state where Apollo communicated through her. The myth reinforced Apollo’s attributes of order, reason, and sight.

Garuda

In Hindu mythology, Garuda is a legendary bird who serves as the vehicle mount and companion of Lord Vishnu. He is often depicted in art as a hawk-like bird with a golden body and massive wings. Key symbolic attributes of Garuda include:

• His sharp vision and instincts make him an effective scout and messenger
• Garuda is eager and able to swoop down on adversaries
• His wings are said to spark lightning and stir the wind with their power
• Garuda is mortal enemies with serpents

Garuda features in tale describing his loyalty to Lord Vishnu and conflicts with nagas, who are serpentine beings associated with water.

The Birth of Garuda

One popular Garuda myth describes his unusual birth. Garuda was born to the sage Kashyapa and his wife Vinata. While still in the womb, Garuda grew so rapidly that Vinata fell into servitude for her sister who tricked her into an early birth. After hatching, Garuda freed his mother and then performed austere acts to please Vishnu. He obtained a pot of divine nectar which he offered to Vishnu, earning him eternal friendship and his role as Vishnu’s mount.

The Significance of Hawks in Mythology

Across cultures, hawks feature prominently in mythology due to their impressive capabilities as predators. Attributes admired in hawks contributed symbolically to mythical tales:

• Sharp vision lent hawks associations with light, foresight, and omniscience in solar gods like Ra and Apollo
• Mastery of the skies connected hawks to authority over the heavenly realms for Horus and Ra
• Quick action and hunting prowess granted hawk symbols importance in myths about cosmic order and justice (Horus and Apollo)
• The hawk’s reputation as a scout and messenger was utilized in myths linking gods and humans through prophecy and omens

Beyond physical power, hawks represent higher faculties of sight, light, and knowledge across cultures. Their mythic symbolism continues to capture imaginations today.

Notable Mythological Hawks

Some other significant hawk or falcon deities and mythological figures include:

Key Takeaways

Some key points on hawk symbolism and famous mythological hawk figures:

• Hawks are prevalent in mythology worldwide due to impressive hunting skills, vision, and aerial mastery
• They frequently represent solar symbols and deities like Ra, Apollo, and Horus
• Attributes like far sight, nobility, and guardianship are embodied in hawk gods
• Stories feature hawk deities warring against chaos and evil to establish order
• Messenger and prophetic roles recognize the hawk’s speed and vision
• Gods like Vishnu and Apollo use hawks to connect between cosmic and earthly realms

Understanding the hawk’s mythic symbolism provides insight into ancient cultures. The shared appreciation of the hawk across myths points to timeless human values of vision, light, order, and insight. The hawk remains an iconic symbol of reverence and wisdom.