Set (also spelled Seth) is one of the most controversial deities in ancient Egyptian mythology, embodying storms, deserts, chaos, and war. He served as a fierce guardian of Ra in the underworld, yet also became cursed for murdering his own brother.

This dual nature—protector and destroyer, order and chaos—makes Set one of the most dramatic figures in all of mythology.

According to the Heliopolitan Ennead, Set is the son of the sky goddess Nut and earth god Geb, making him the sibling of Osiris, Isis, and Nephthys. He married Nephthys, and their children—according to some myths—include the underworld gods Anubis and Wepwawet.

Note: Both the Pyramid Texts and Book of the Dead contain systematic references to this divine family, forming the core of ancient Egyptian religious belief.

Set’s divine role evolved through the ages—from a protector of borders and wielder of storm power, to a symbol of chaos and destruction.

He is typically depicted with the head of a mysterious creature known as the Set animal, marked by squared ears and a curved snout. Scholars speculate it may have been inspired by the African aardvark or desert-dwelling canine hybrids.

After slaying Osiris and usurping the throne, Set was challenged by Horus in a drawn-out divine war. Their clash represents the struggle for legitimate kingship, as well as the eternal tension between chaos and order.

According to the relief “Trial of Horus and Set,” the struggle lasted eighty years before the gods declared Horus the rightful heir.

The worship of Set experienced dramatic shifts throughout ancient Egyptian history. He was first venerated as a major deity in Upper Egypt during the Naqada period, and later rose to national prominence as a protective god during the Second and Third Dynasties.

During the Second Intermediate Period, the invading Hyksos even elevated Set to the status of their official state god. However, as the cults of Osiris and Horus grew stronger, Set’s image gradually became demonized, leading to the decline of his worship.

Set’s form does not correspond to any real animal. Ancient Egyptians depicted him as a strange beast later dubbed the “Set animal”, characterized by tall rectangular ears, a curved snout, and a long, upright tail.

Some scholars believe this composite figure may have been inspired by creatures such as the African aardvark, or amalgams of jackals, crocodiles, and hippos—all creatures linked to nocturnal danger and chaos.

Though Set is often portrayed as a symbol of chaos, he was at times embraced as a royal emblem and divine protector. During the Nineteenth Dynasty, especially under the Ramesside rulers, Set was revered as a god of war, standing alongside Horus as a pillar of state power.

Some pharaohs even incorporated Set’s name—such as Seti I—to signal divine protection and the inheritance of his might and dominance.

In today’s pop culture and entertainment industries, ancient mythological figures are seen as high-potential narrative IPs. Among them, Set stands out with his dual nature—protector and destroyer—making him visually striking and mythologically profound.

Thanks to digital tools and interactive design, Set has crossed from temples into virtual realms. His image is reframed with modern storytelling, allowing users to actively participate in mythic reenactments.

In the game “God of Chaos: Set”, players take on the role of Set amid a divine conflict involving Osiris, Horus, and Apep. Through combat, narrative branching, and evolving divine powers, players don’t just explore ancient myth—they reflect on the balance between chaos and control, power and responsibility.

This shift from “reading myth” to “playing myth” turns deities into vessels of cultural engagement rather than static symbols.

The mythic tension of Set’s fratricide and Horus’s revenge forms the core dramatic arc of “God of Chaos: Set.”

The character design in “God of Chaos: Set” goes beyond visual accuracy. Using a translational design strategy, the creators preserved mythic meaning while incorporating modern preferences—such as armor, energy auras, and dynamic skill effects—for deeper immersion.

Even Set’s voice lines, animations, and skill names reflect symbolic meaning. For instance, his ultimate ability, “Judgment of the Sandstorm”, pays homage to his identity as the god of the desert.

Just as Set embodies both chaos and control, the modern retelling of myth is itself a balance between fiction and truth—a cultural dialogue rather than a moral verdict. Much like gambling, it’s not about good or evil—but about mastery.

Set’s image is widely used in modern culture—from artworks and cinematic worldbuilding to video game character design. These visual representations reflect not only Set’s multifaceted nature but also society’s evolving reinterpretation of ancient myths.

Through cross-media creations, Set is reborn beyond mythology, becoming a fresh cultural symbol that extends his legacy into the digital and entertainment age.