The Egyptian deity of fate and destiny was a god named Shai. Ancient Egyptians believed that he was the personification of destiny and fate. Shai was often known for being the bringer of birth and rebirth into the underworld when a being would pass over. Some people even believed that he granted the humans their luck. It was said that Shai was born every time someone else was born, granting him immortality. Some believe that the name "Shai" came from the Egyptian word meaning "appoint" or "command", while others believe that his name, based on determining what scrolls read, that his name means "extent" or "bulk". He gives all beings their extent of their lifetime by commanding their destiny.
Shai was often set as a good example to worship, but many times when bad things would happen to someone, they would curse Shai for bringing bad luck or fate down upon them. Many Egyptians thought that Shai would follow around every being, distributing them different fates as he went. Many families would pray to him, and give sacrifices to him to help their loved ones travel safely to the Land of the Dead.
Shai was also an important god in the Graeco-Roman era. Many citizens of Alexandria believed that he could tell their future, along with the help of the serpent god of fortune telling, Agathodaimon. While people would consult him for answers, he was commonly referred to as a pig (a very sacred animal at the time). Shai did not seem to have a devotion to a certain "higher-being" or animal, but some claim that he did. Those who claim his devotion know little about it, leaving it unlikely that he ever actually had one.
Shai was often set as a good example to worship, but many times when bad things would happen to someone, they would curse Shai for bringing bad luck or fate down upon them. Many Egyptians thought that Shai would follow around every being, distributing them different fates as he went. Many families would pray to him, and give sacrifices to him to help their loved ones travel safely to the Land of the Dead.
Shai was also an important god in the Graeco-Roman era. Many citizens of Alexandria believed that he could tell their future, along with the help of the serpent god of fortune telling, Agathodaimon. While people would consult him for answers, he was commonly referred to as a pig (a very sacred animal at the time). Shai did not seem to have a devotion to a certain "higher-being" or animal, but some claim that he did. Those who claim his devotion know little about it, leaving it unlikely that he ever actually had one.