Ihy (Ahy) was known as the “sistrum-player” and was a god of music and musicians. The sistrum was closely associated with the goddess Hathor who was his mother. He did not have any temples specifically dedicated to him, but was worshipped in the temple of Hathor in the Denderah temple complex as the son of Hathor and Horus.
Although he is rarely referred to outside Dendera, he does make an appearance in the spells of the Coffin texts and the Book of the Dead as the “lord of bread” in charge of beer (probably because of Hathor’s association with beer and intoxication).
He was depicted as a young boy wearing the sidelock of youth with his finger held to his mouth and a sistrum in his right hand.
Bibliography
- Pinch, Geraldine (2002) Handbook Egyptian Mythology
- Redford Donald B (2002) Ancient Gods Speak
- Wilkinson, Richard H. (2003) The Complete Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt
Copyright J Hill 2010