Moonlight-like fur and feathers may explain Egyptian god Thoth's two animal forms
The ancient Egyptian god of the moon had two very different faces: a crescent-beaked white bird and a silver-coated baboon. Now, researchers think they may have found the common thread connecting them all.
Ancient Egyptian god Thoth, associated with wisdom, had two distinct animal forms: a white, crescent-beaked bird and a silver-coated baboon. Researchers may have discovered a link between these two seemingly unrelated creatures. By using a light-measuring instrument, the scientists detected that both the sacred baboon's fur and the white feathers of the sacred ibis reflected light in a manner similar to moonlight.
This discovery could provide a clearer understanding of why these animals were chosen to represent Thoth, despite their differences. The study, published in Time and Mind, suggests that the bright, moon-like appearance of these animals may have played a role in their association with the deity.
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