Also called Imsety, Hapy, Duamutef, Qebehsenuef, the canopic gods.
Their story
The four sons of Horus guarded the organs removed during mummification. Imsety, with a human head, guarded the liver and the south; Hapy, a baboon, the lungs and the north; Duamutef, a jackal, the stomach and the east; and Qebehsenuef, a falcon, the intestines and the west. Each was in turn protected by a goddess: Isis, Nephthys, Neith and Serqet. Canopic jar lids took their animal heads from the later New Kingdom, having earlier shown human heads.
Best times to give to them
- the Wag festival
- Khoiak
- funerals and remembrance days
What they like being given
- water
- bread
- incense
- four candles, one for each direction
How to honour them
- Call on each son at the four directions when setting up a sacred space.
- Remember them when honouring the dead.
How they can help you
- protection
- grief and remembrance
- feeling whole
- marking out sacred space
Symbols
- canopic jars
- human, baboon, jackal and falcon heads
Sources
- Pyramid Texts
- Book of the Dead, Spell 151
- Taylor, Death and Burial in Ancient Egypt
More Egyptian spirits
- The Seven Hathors The goddesses who foretell a child's fate
- Hu and Sia Divine command and divine understanding
- The Ogdoad The eight primordial frogs and serpents
- The Ennead The nine gods of Heliopolis