Khonsu is the Moon God of ancient Egypt. His name means "traveler". At one time, he shone as brightly as the Sun. In some depictions he has the head of a falcon, with a crescent moon disc crown. In others he appears as a child with a sidelock of youth.
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Khonsu (Ancient Egyptian: ḫnsw; also Chonsu, Khensu, Khons, Chons or Khonshu) describes the passage of time, together with polymath moon god Thoth. Khonsu helps impart life to all creatures.
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At Thebes, Egypt, Khonsu is part of the "Theban Triad" with Mut, Creator goddess, his mother and primordial god Amun his father. Family triads are commonplace in ancient Egypt, made by the patron deity, spouse and offspring.
Khonsu may be a child with a sidelock or youth lock of hair. In tradition going back to the 25th century BCE, a boy wears a lock usually on the right side of his head. In profile art it may be on the left. When he comes of age the lock is cut, and offered to the god Horus.
Khonsu's most famous legend comes from a myth of sun god Ra who reigns at this time as a human pharaoh. The God Thoth predicts Goddess Nut’s son will one day reign, and Ra doesn't want a successor. He forbids Nut to have children on any of the 360 days of the year.
Thoth sympathizes with Nut. He plays senet with Khonsu. Every time Thoth wins, Khonsu must give him more moonlight. Thoth wins enough light for five days, and adds five extra days to the year.
The grateful Nut give birth to Osiris, future pharaoh after Ra, as well as Set, Harmachis, Nephthys and Isis. After the game Khonsu is weaker and shines brightly only a few days of the month. However, his crescent form blesses the land with fertility.
Most often known as Traveler, Khonsu is also called Embracer, Pathfinder, Defender, and healer. With his all-seeing eye he watches over those who travel at night. God of light at night, Khonsu is invoked for protection against wild predators, and for healing.
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When Khonsu shines as the crescent moon he brings fecundity to the lands. Women conceive, livestock is fertile, seedlings grow, plants prosper, and fresh air fills the throat and nostrils.
He's associated other divine children such as Horus (as Harmachis), Heka and Shu. In falcon-headed form he wears the crescent moon and moon disk crown. In his childhood form, Khonsu is often a mummy with the menat necklace, and crook and flail.
The menat necklace is associated with goddess Hathor. She is the cosmic Mother Cow Goddess and the Eye of Ra. The menat is used as a rattle by her priestesses and also worn as a protective amulet, particularly by Apis bulls and divine children.
The crook and flail are held crossed over the chest. The crook is the symbol a shepherd and represents kingship. The flail a sign of threshing and crop fertility throughout Egypt. Originally connected to Osiris, they grow to became royal signs of absolute authority.