Of all the erroneous things Jordan Peterson has said about myths and legends, one claim stands out as particularly frustrating:
“Isis is Queen of the Underworld.”
That sound you hear? That’s millions of ancient Egyptians collectively turning in their graves. Jordan Peterson's use of archetypes is shocking.
Isis: A Queen, But Not of the Underworld
Ancient Egyptians revered Isis as the Lady of Heaven, Queen of the Gods, and Mistress of the House of Life. She was also known as the Mother of Gods and Great of Magic—titles that highlight her divine and protective nature.
While one could argue for a very loose connection between Isis and the underworld (since her husband Osiris was its ruler), she did not hold a position of authority there. Yet, Peterson twists this narrative, claiming that Osiris ruled the upper world, and Isis was the Queen of the Underworld.
Not only is this inaccurate, but it fundamentally reverses the traditional Egyptian myth.
The Real Myth: Chaos, Murder, and Magic
The original myth is straightforward:
• Osiris and Isis ruled Egypt together.
• Their jealous brother, Seth, murdered Osiris, cutting him into pieces and scattering his body across Egypt.
• Isis, in her grief, searched for Osiris’ body to restore him.
Peterson, however, blames the state of chaos on Isis herself rather than on Seth, the actual villain of the story. This rewriting of the myth conveniently supports his personal views on order, hierarchy, and gender roles.
The Phallus Fable: What Really Happened?
Peterson also gets another key detail wrong when he says:
“Isis found Osiris’ phallus and impregnated herself.”
In reality, the myth states that Isis could not find Osiris’ phallus. Some versions say it was lost in the Nile and eaten by a fish. Instead, Isis used her magic to temporarily resurrect Osiris and conceive their son, Horus.
This detail matters. The idea that Isis “simply found Osiris’ phallus” and used it ignores the deep symbolism of the myth—particularly the Egyptian understanding of death, rebirth, and divine magic. Osiris is often depicted green, symbolising his connection to agriculture and regeneration, while Isis is frequently shown with wings, representing her link to the celestial realm. These elements hint at a complex theology, far richer than Peterson’s retelling suggests.
Jordan Peterson Archetypes: Why This Misinformation Matters
It’s one thing to misinterpret mythology; it’s another to use myths to reinforce an ideological agenda.
Peterson frequently applies Jungian psychoanalysis to mythology, but in doing so, he distorts both the myths and the psychology. For example:
• Jung saw Isis as a divine mother figure, not as a “laughing hyena,” as Peterson bizarrely suggests.
• The myth of Isis reassembling Osiris is a symbol of psychological integration, not a story about chaos seeking order.
• Horus’ victory over Seth represents self-awareness overcoming inner conflict, a key theme in Jungian thought.
The Dangers of Misusing Psychology
Peterson’s approach highlights a broader issue: the way high-demand groups and cult-like movements misuse psychology to manipulate people.
Throughout history, leaders have used psychoanalytic jargon to justify control, from:
• Anne Hamilton-Byrne (The Family)
• Keith Raniere (NXIVM)
• The Incel Movement
• Countless New Age groups over the past 90 years
Jungian archetypes, in particular, have been misrepresented to lend legitimacy to fabricated ideas. Just because someone sprinkles in psychological terminology doesn’t mean they’re telling the truth.
Final Thoughts
Peterson’s errors about Egyptian mythology might seem like minor academic mistakes, but they represent something bigger: the power of misinformation, especially when dressed up in intellectual language.
If you’re interested in how psychological theories are misused in cults and coercive groups—and what healthy psychology actually looks like—stay tuned.
Want to dive deeper? Check out my videos, where I debunk Freud, Aristotle, and Myths about Virgin Births, and Critically Analyse Jungian Psychoanalysis.
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