Egyptian mythology has been explored in great detail by various entertainment industries, becoming even a key element for some of those. It is a source of inspiration for many superheroes and villains in comic books and their blockbuster remakes, as well as a popular theme in slot games. Artists from everywhere are also incorporating elements of this ancient civilization in their music videos and live performances. Here are two examples of industries that used this theme in different ways.
Slot Games
Slot machines feature plenty of themes, from fruits and pirates to bingo slots, there aren’t many options that haven’t been explored by this industry. However, there is one particular theme that is more popular than all the others – Ancient Egypt. The fascination behind it has to do with the way Egypt is perceived by Western cultures, an exotic world full of treasures and adventure. Even now, with all the innovative technology available, people are still captivated by pyramids, pharaohs, and mummies.
Many gaming software developers, including Microgaming and NetEnt, have tapped into this market and created Egyptian mythology-themed slot games. Wings of Ra, developed by Red Tiger Gaming, is one of the most well-known slots because of its ability to deliver an exciting experience. Its all-ways-wins structure also means that players can win big by lining up three of the following symbols – card symbols, the Wings of Ra, Nefertiti, and Akhenaten. Other popular slot games revolving around the same theme include Eye of Horus, Pharaoh’s Treasure, and Legacy of Dead.
Comic Books
Egyptian mythology has influenced popular culture in various ways and across many of its branches. Therefore, there is no surprise that comic books have also used ancient mythologies, including Norse and Roman, as sources of inspiration for their characters, particularly for the powers they possess. Both Marvel and DC have borrowed elements from Egyptian mythology to create characters that resemble their ancient counterparts. DC Comics examples of such heroes include Hawkgirl and Black Adam, while Marvel examples include Moon Knight and Apocalypse from the X-Men Universe.
The destinies of Hawkman and Hawkgirl from the DC Universe are intertwined and throughout their reincarnations they end up together. Hawkman originated from the Egyptian prince Khufu, while Hawkgirl originated from Egyptian princess Chay-Ara. One of Hawkman’s enemies is supervillain Black Adam, who is the son of the Egyptian Pharaoh Ramesses II. In the beginning, he serves as Egypt’s champion, but later on becomes corrupted and ends up killing the Pharaoh. Meanwhile, in the Marvel Universe, many X-Men characters, such as Storm, Apocalypse, and Shadow King, are of Egyptian origins.
Egyptian themes are widespread all over the world, shaping the popular culture of many countries. Various subcategories belonging to the entertainment industry have explored this ancient mythology for creative purposes. Comic books, video games, and films have all found inspiration in the stories of famous pharaohs and Ancient Egyptian deities. Moreover, the fascination for this exotic world is also obvious in the popularity of modern games like slots.
