Pyramid Head as the Egyptian god Sobek (Silent Hill 2)

It is an amateur article-notice on a game character from the cult game Silent Hill 2. Here I will compare two deities and draw a parallel. This article is mainly for the fan community. Others may not understand the beauty of the symbolism.

Where it all began

While surfing the web, I came across Sobek, a forgotten Egyptian god. The more I read about Sobek and remembered what was happening in the Silent Hill 2, the more I thought that this was more than just a coincidence.

Naively I thought there must be whole articles with parses and comparisons from more knowledgeable people, but I found absolutely nothing linking Sobek with Pyramid Head. So many treatises, but nothing about it! I don't exclude that it was deleted from the Internet from some long-forgotten forum.

Writing this article, I found a reference to the resemblance to Anubis when the director of the movie wanted to emphasize it in the film. Although Anubis seems closer by the logic of purpose at first glance, in this article, I will tell you that he is not, at least he is not the core of Pyramid Head. Others compare Pyramid Head to the image of Valtiel, and perhaps there is some truth in this, given the general message of idolatry.

Why is Pyramid Head - the god Sobek in Silent Hill 2?

Sobek is a god of water and fertility, an aggressive protector from evil forces. The word “Sobek” itself comes from "fertilize" (from the Egyptian “s-bAk”).

Head`s shape of Pyramid Head in Silent Hill 2

The shape of the pyramidal head is elongated and remotely resembles a crocodile's as if it is looking under its feet. The iron structure could be perceived as a seal or mask. Or he is simply depicted in a grotesque style.

Great Spear of Pyramid Head in Silent Hill 2

Pyramid Head has the "great spear". Sobek has a staff that symbolizes strength and power. Even the "great knife" is so long that it resembles a spear.

When meeting Pyramid Head after the orgy, you can see him dragging a dummy.

In the official art, he also holds construction with a little man in his hand. This may be a reference to the Ankh symbol (key of life), which also holds Sobek.

According to one version, Ankh comes from Tyet - an ancient Egyptian symbol of the goddess Isis, which looks like a man. It is also red (made from the red minerals carnelian and jasper). It is a symbol of life, immortality, divine. It is also used for burial.

Gender of Pyramid Head in Silent Hill 2

As we remember, Silent Hill 2 loves to sexualize the local monsters. It is full of allusions to sexual violence (Angela's story alone). And Sobek, aka "lord of the seed", "one who eats by copulating", "one who brings pregnancy", is the right place to be.

In Silent Hill 2, we see more than once Pyramid Head trying to have sexual intercourse with various dummies and not only that (a typical scene in the kitchen, but also not only there).

Interestingly, the dummies themselves appeared long ago. In the pharaoh's tomb, Tutankhamen found his torso, along with a set of clothes.

Connection to the water of Pyramid Head in Silent Hill 2

In the scene in the stairwell, when the time comes (the siren sounds), he goes underwater!

In the water, we will still meet him in the course of the game, where he is alone with a spear.

Location of Pyramid Head in Silent Hill 2

The game is set near Toluca Lake, a "holy land" for indigenous tribes.

In Egypt, there is Lake Merida - a salt lake on the territory of the Faiyum Oasis. On its shores were deified crocodiles, so Greeks called the neighboring city Crocodilopolis aka Shedet/Shedit (now El-Fayyum). This place served as the cult center of Sobek.

In real life, Lake Toluca is near Los Angeles ("City of Angels"). The name "Toluca" came from the Paiute (an Indian tribe), meaning "fertile" or "beautiful" valley. The Paiute, by the way, have a nearby Pyramid Lake where mummified bodies were found.

Immortality of Pyramid Head in Silent Hill 2

James cannot kill Pyramid Head in any way (including a 100% hyper spray that kills everyone), which speaks of the latter's power over death before James. Even in the scene with the two Pyramid Heads, James doesn't kill them. They leave on their own when they are not needed. They may not be Sobek, but as a variant, his two guards.

After the death of the two Pyramid Heads, two eggs (snake or crocodile) are given out.

Conclusion

Why is James so closely associated with Sobek? Why is Sobek the one who judges him?

Perhaps the game has something more profound to say about James' story with Mary.

In the context of deities, in the next part of the game, the main character Heather Mason (Cheryl), is pregnant with a god and is looked after by Valtiel.

Unfortunately, there isn't much information available on the internet about Sobek to quickly run through the tops and give an extended summary. It would be good if someone more knowledgeable would add information in the comments.

Although the Pyramid Head is officially called Red Pyramid Thing, he is 赤い 三角頭 in Japanese. Both are red. I cannot find anything red about Sobek except what I wrote above, but his mother Nate wore a red crown.

Coincidence?