Hathor: "...Mansion of Horus designates the closed space through which Horus travels as sun-god. . .She plays the role of protective, regenerative containor. . .represented from ancient periods onwards was a female countenance seen face-on, she symbolises the face-to-face encounter between the sun and the element in which he appears at the moment of creation. Thus Hathor can represent the solar eye, incarnating it more precisely in its appeased aspect. Daughter of Re..." (p236 Meeks)

Ideogram for Hwt-Hrw "Hathor"
Meaning of name: Mansion of Horus

Hathor was also identified with the sycamore fig tree; entitled 'Lady of the Sycamore' and often represented offering food and water to the deceased, her depiction an arm extending from a tree. 'Burial in a wood coffin was viewed as a return to the womb of the mother tree goddess.' (Hassan)

As with other netjeru, Hathor's body had a distinctive 'divine scent' - this preceded the goddess/ scent was a sign by which other gods could recognise one another. A particularly soothing scent was said to emanate from Hathor and fragrant substances such as terebinth resin or olibanum were considered the equivalent. The scent was said to confer divine status on those who breathed it during ritual fumigations. (Meeks)

Hathor 'was born of the liquid that oozed from the sun-god's eyes and fell onto the sands of the very first land to emerge from the Primeval Ocean.' (Meeks)

Son Harsomtus conceived during the new moon of the month of Epiphi; Hathor gave birth in the month of Pharmuthi almost ten months later which was often the case with infant gods. (more info: p183, Meeks)

Association with tree=green may explain Hathor's link with the colour green and turquoise.

Sinai quarries under her patronage.

The Destruction of Mankind in hieroglyph form

Or more correctly Iunet ~ translated by H. Junker, the collection of hymns are located in the Hall of Offerings and focus on that aspect of Hathor which, according to Lichtheim, links her to Aphrodite: Hathor is "...the 'golden' goddess of love who is worshipped with wine, music and dancing."

The King, Pharaoh, comes to dance,
He comes to sing;
Mistress, see the dancing,
Wife of Horus, see the skipping!

He offers it to you,
This jug;
Mistress, see the dancing,
Wife of Horus, see the skipping!

His heart is straight, his inmost open,
No darkness is in his breast;
Mistress, see the dancing,
Wife of Horus, see the skipping!

---

O beauteous one, O cow, O great one,
O great magician, O splendid lady, O queen of the gods!
The King reveres you, Pharaoh, give that he may live!
O queen of gods, he reveres you, give that he may live!

Behold him, Hathor, mistress, from heaven,
See him, Hathor, mistress, from light land,
Hear him, flaming one, from ocean!
Behold him, queen of gods, from sky, from earth,
From Nubia, from Libya, from Manu, from Bakhu,
From each land, from each place, where your majesty shines!

Behold what is in his inmost,
Though his mouth speaks not;
His heart is straight, his inmost open,
No darkness is in his breast!
He reveres you, O queen of gods,
Give that he may live!

---

p107, Miriam Lichtheim, Texts in the Classical Language, Ancient Egyptian Literature ~ Volume III: The Late Period.

In Lichtheim's notes, she makes reference to the title of Hathor as being itn.t or the 'sun-goddess (one of her titles?); two other hymns here, one makes reference to the king's accoutrements as 'he comes to dance...comes to sing' - a sistrum of gold and a necklace of malachite, both of which are associated with the goddess, 'mistress of music'.