Khonsu, the son of Mut and Amun, is part of the Theban Triad. Khonsu is a lunar diety, whose name means "The Traveller." This name can perhaps be linked with the passing of the moon across the night sky. With Thoth, Khonsu marks the passing of time. During the New Kingdom, the cult of Khonsu experienced a rise in popularity. The construction at the Temple of Karnak became more focussed on Khonsu's temple. Other centers of worship for Khonsu included Memphis (Men-Nefer), Edfu, Hibis, and Kom Ombos, where Khonsu is worshipped as the son of Sobek and Hathor (Het-Heru).

He was often depicted as a mummified youth with a sidelock, crook and flail, and frequently wears the menat necklace. His head is surmounted by a crescent and lunar disk. Despite his seemingly benign appearance, he is often linked linked to Horus (Heru) and assumes the falcon-anthropomorphic form.

Early in Egyptian history, Khonsu is more malignant in nature, as portrayed in the so-called "Cannibal Hymn," in which he becomes the slayer and eater of pharaoh's enemies; in the Coffin Texts, he lives on hearts and heads. Along with his association with the moon, Khonsu became a god of medicinal powers. One tale relates how Khonsu's statue helped heal the princess of Bekhten. Ptolemy IV also praised Khonsu's healing abilities after he was cured from a mysterious illness after praying to the god. Thus, Khonsu morphed from being a violent god to a being whose powers encompassed benevolent powers over the moon and healing.