Heru-sa-Aset

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Name

Heru-sa-Aset

- Heru-pa-Khered

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Alternate Names

Heru-nedj-it-ef (Gr: Harendotes Ἁρενδοτης) - Heru Savior of His Father
Heru-pa-khered (Gr: Harpocrates Ἁρποκράτης) - Heru the Child
Heru-sema-tawy - Heru, Uniter of the Two Lands

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Appearance

A youth with a sidelock, sometimes sitting on the lap of his mother Aset
Heru-pa-Khered is depicted as a child holding one finger to his mouth (a direct copy of the hieroglyph for "child," not related to the modern meaning of "silence" we see in that gesture).
Flanking his father Wesir with Aset on the other side
Can appear as a hawk or as a hawk-headed man, wearing the Double Crown (pschent) of Lower Kemet.

Heru-sa-Aset

Heru-pa-khered

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Parents

Aset and Wesir

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Consorts

He is occasionally depicted as being a consort of Hethert, though She is usually associated with Heru-wer

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Children

With Hethert, He is said to have a son, Ihy. Ihy is occasionally said to be the son of Heru-wer and Hethert instead.

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Epithets

Uniter of the Two Lands
Savior of His Father

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Roles

Heru-sa-Aset is associated with kingship. He is associated with heka, and with justice and victory.

Heru-sema-tawy (Harsomtus or Harsomptus) is a specialized form of Heru as a uniter of the Two Kingdoms.

Stele depicting Heru-pa-Khered standing on the back of a crocodile, holding snakes in His outstretched hands were erected in temple courtyards, where they would be immersed or lustrated in water; the water was then used for blessing and healing purposes as the Name was attributed with many protective and healing powers. It is perhaps ironic in this light that late myths describe Heru-pa-Khered as being both physically weak and incapable of protecting himself, relying upon the power of His mother Aset to protect Him until His manhood. ^[1]

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Worship Centers

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Festivals

Heru-sa-Aset is honored at several festivals during the Kemetic year. He is occasionally honored during lunar festivals.

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Creation Story

When Aset found Wesir's body after Set had killed him, she took the form of a hawk and concieved Heru-sa-Aset.

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Myths

The Contendings of Heru And Set

A myth where Set, having been denied the throne of Egypt in favour of Heru-sa-Aset, engages in a series of quarrels and contests with the young Heru. Summary:

The Gods have met in council to decide who shall take the throne of Wesir. They quarrel over who is best suited -- Ra is indebted to Set, as He says Apep for Him every morning. Also, Heru is young. Shu suggests that Heru take the throne, as he is Wesir's son. Djehuty writes to Nit who decrees that Heru should take the throne. Ra is angry for a while, but is quickly placated by Hethert. Each God states His case. Some Gods favour Set for his seniority, while others favour Heru for his lineage. Aset, Heru's mother, upsets Set by trying to intervene, so the council is moved and Aset is told not to enter. Aset is very clever and manages to enter the council several times. There are a handful of conflicts between Heru and Set. In the end, Heru is proven capable of taking the throne. He is crowned, but Set is allowed to accompany Ra in his barque daily, among other great gifts.