Editing Khonsu (section)

== Attributes ==
[[File:Khonsu painting.jpg|left|thumb|Painting depicting Khonsu in the [[KV19|tomb of Montuherkhepeshef]], [[Valley of the Kings]], western [[Thebes, Egypt|Thebes]]]]
{{multiple image
| align = right
| image1 = Khonsu as falcon.svg
| width1 = 100
| image2 = Khonsu.svg
| width2 = 100
| footer = Khonsu, the ancient Egyptian moon-god, was depicted either as a falcon wearing the moon-disk on his head (left) or as a human child
}}
In [[art of ancient Egypt|art]], Khonsu is typically depicted as a mummy with the symbol of childhood, a sidelock of hair, as well as the [[menat]] necklace with [[crook and flail]]. He has close links to other divine children such as [[Horus]] and [[Shu (Egyptian deity)|Shu]]. He was also portrayed with the head of a [[falcon]] and like [[Horus]], with whom he is associated as a protector and healer, adorned with the moon disk and crescent moon.<ref name="oxford">{{cite book|title=The Oxford Guide: Essential Guide to Egyptian Mythology |editor-first=Donald B. |editor-last=Redford |editor-link=Donald B. Redford |pages=186–187 |location=Berkley |date=2003 |isbn=0-425-19096-X}}</ref>{{Ancient Egyptian religion}}Khonsu is mentioned in the [[Pyramid Texts]] and [[Coffin Texts]], in which he is depicted in a fierce aspect, but he does not rise to prominence until the [[New Kingdom of Egypt|New Kingdom]], when he is described as the "Greatest God of the Great Gods". Most of the construction of the temple complex at [[Karnak]] was centered on Khonsu during the [[Nineteenth Dynasty of Egypt|Ramesside period]].<ref name="oxford"/> The [[Temple of Khonsu]] at Karnak is in a relatively good state of preservation, and on one of the walls is depicted a [[Ancient Egyptian creation myths|creation myth]] in which Khonsu is described as the great snake who fertilizes the [[World egg|Cosmic Egg]] in the creation of the world.<ref>{{cite book|title=Handbook of Egyptian Mythology |first=Geraldine |last=Pinch |pages=156 |publisher=[[ABC-CLIO]] |date=2002 |isbn=1-57607-242-8}}</ref>

Khonsu's reputation as a healer spread outside Egypt; the [[Bentresh stela]] records how a princess of [[Bactria|Bekhten]] was instantly cured of an illness upon the arrival of an image of Khonsu.<ref>This incident is mentioned in the opening of chapter one of [[Bolesław Prus]]' 1895 historical novel ''[[Pharaoh (Prus novel)#Plot|Pharaoh]]''.</ref> King [[Ptolemy IV]], after he was cured of an illness, called himself "Beloved of Khonsu Who Protects His Majesty and Drives Away Evil Spirits".

Locations of Khonsu's cult were [[Memphis, Egypt|Memphis]], [[Hibis]], and [[Edfu]].<ref name="oxford"/>