The Black Pig: A Tale of Divine Deceit and Triumph

Have you ever wondered why the city of Pé was bestowed upon Horus? This ancient myth unveils a secret history of enmity, deception, and divine retribution between Horus and his treacherous uncle, Set.

For ages, the eternal struggle between Horus and Set raged—a battle defined not by mere brute force, but by contrasting natures. Horus, the embodiment of righteousness and truth, possessed eyes so blue they revealed the future to those who gazed into them. In stark opposition, Set thrived on cunning and deceit. His power lay in transformation, as he could assume any shape to beguile both gods and men alike.

When news reached Set that Ra planned to consult Horus—seeking the wisdom held within those prophetic blue eyes—Set saw an opening to strike. Adopting a most unexpected form, he transformed into a Black Pig. This was no ordinary creature: its form was fierce, with long, sharp tusks and a hide as dark as a thundercloud. In its savage aspect, the pig exuded an aura of evil that could send shivers down the spine of any onlooker.

On that fateful day, as the Majesty of Ra approached Horus and requested a glimpse into his eyes, the Black Pig stealthily passed by. Ra, unaware of the deception, exclaimed in astonishment, "Look at that Black Pig! Never have I seen one so huge and so fierce." Horus, too, saw the beast but mistook it for a wild boar emerging from the thickets of the North Country. Unaware of the imminent danger, Horus was left vulnerable.

In that critical moment, Set struck. With a blow of scorching fire aimed directly at Horus’s eye, the pain was excruciating, and Horus cried out, "It is Set, and he has smitten me with fire on the eyes!" Yet, as quickly as he had appeared, Set vanished, leaving behind only the memory of the Black Pig.

Enraged and sorrowful, Ra cursed the pig, decreeing it an abomination to Horus. This curse has endured through the ages: to this day, during the full Moon, men offer sacrifices of the pig in remembrance of Set’s treachery. Moreover, swineherds have been deemed unclean across Egypt, barred from temple rituals, and their children forbidden from joining the worshippers of the gods.

But the story does not end in darkness. Once Horus’s wounded eyes were healed, Ra granted him the city of Pé along with divine allies—two brethren from Pé and two from Nekhen—to serve as everlasting judges. Rejuvenated by these blessings, Horus’s heart rejoiced. His joy was so profound that it brought the earth to blossom, scattering thunderclouds and dispelling rain.

Thus, the legend of the Black Pig is not only a tale of deceit and divine conflict, but also one of ultimate triumph and renewal—a timeless reminder of the power of truth and righteousness over the forces of treachery.