Serket: Scorpion Goddess Who Could Heal Poisonous Bites And Sting Evildoers
A. Sutherland - AncientPages.com - In ancient Egyptian beliefs, Serket (Serqet, Selkis) controlled the breath of life, protected righteous deeds, healed deadly bites of snakes and scorpions, and punished evildoers.
Serket and her scorpion. Edfu Temple. Image credit: MatthiasKabel - CC BY-SA 3.0
The scorpion is a symbol that appeared on the earliest Egyptian artifacts related to the earliest human settlements to the beginning of the Early Dynastic Period around 3100 BC. Serket was depicted as a scorpion with the head and torso of a woman or a woman with a scorpion on her head.
In a strong association with the scorpion, which is famous for protecting its young, also Serket symbolizes the robust protection of motherhood and nurturing of children. In this aspect, she was often compared to the Egyptian goddess Isis, who protected Horus from Seth, the god of chaos, and during the child's infancy.
Generally viewed as a benevolent and protective deity, Serket was given different and beautiful titles. Some of them are: "Lady of Heaven," "Mistress of the Sacred Land," "Lady of the Beautiful Tent," and "The Mistress of the Beautiful House," but this goddess could also punish if necessary when she disapproved of something or someone.
Ancient Egyptians believed that Serket had power over snakes, scorpions, and their poisonous and deadly bites. Thus, she could sting evildoers and cure others who suffered from scorpion stings and snake bites.
Serket protecting the shrine for the canopic vases of the Tomb of Tutankhamon. Image credit: National Museum, Cairo, Egypt.
Because Serket could cure snake bites, she was sometimes known as the protector from Apep (or Apophis), a demon in snake figure in ancient Egypt's beliefs, widely known as the evil snake god.
Serket also plays a role in the fight against the serpent.
In Coffin Texts spell 752, the deceased says: "I am skilled in the craft of Serket-Hetyt; therefore I will drive off Apophis, ferrying across the firmament."
The goddess's protective role (alone and in the company of other deities) is attested in the Pyramid Texts when the deceased king says: "My mother is Isis, my nurse is Nephthys… Neith is behind me and Serket is before me…" (PT 1375).
Together with three other goddesses (Nephthys, Isis, Neith), Serket protected the body and vital organs of the deceased.
The organs were traditionally stored in the canopic jars and guarded by four minor deities called the 'Four Sons of Horus.'
One of them was the baboon-headed Hapy, who guarded the lungs (protected by Nephthys). Another was the human-headed Imsety, who guarded the liver (and who was himself guarded by Isis). The third was the jackal-headed Duamutef, who defended the stomach (often protected by Neith), and the falcon-headed Qebesenuef, guardian of the intestines (often protected by Serket).
The jars were identified with the four protective goddesses Isis, Nephtys, Neith, and Serket.
This deity did not have many temples raised in her honor, but she had a large number of priests in many communities. She was initially worshiped in the Delta, but her popularity spread throughout the land, and cult centers were established at Djeba (Edfu) and Per-Serqet (Pselkis, el Dakka).
Ancient Egyptians believed that they could save themselves from all venomous creatures by venerating the scorpion goddess.
The goddess was associated with magic, and many magical spells confirm her role as a patroness of practitioners of magical medicine dealing with poisonous bites of scorpions and snakes.
Written by – A. Sutherland - AncientPages.com Senior Staff Writer
Copyright © AncientPages.com All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or part without the express written permission of AncientPages.com
Expand for referencesReferences:
Hart, G. A Dictionary of Egyptian Gods and Goddesses
Jackson, Roy. Egypt
More From Ancient Pages
-
10 Great Ancient Mysteries Of Africa
Civilizations | Mar 12, 2017
-
Innocent-Looking Japanese War Fan – Surprise Weapon Used By The Samurai And Female Ninja
Ancient History Facts | Mar 29, 2018
-
On This Day In History: Courageous And Heroic Radio Rescue At Sea – On Jan 23, 1909
News | Jan 23, 2017
-
Unraveling The Mystery Of A Lost Biblical Underground World – Is A Precious Ancient Artifact The Answer?
Biblical Mysteries | May 30, 2018
-
Wasabi Plant Can Save Ancient Bio-Deteriorated Papyrus
Scripts, Paintings & Inscriptions | Apr 4, 2024
-
Archaeologists Solve A 1,000-Year-Old Mystery Mentioned In Norse Sagas
Featured Stories | Oct 10, 2024
-
Mystery Of The Lost Continent Destroyed By An Ancient Cataclysm – Wars Between The ‘Yellow Men And Black’ Men – Part 1
Featured Stories | Aug 10, 2021
-
Pre-Columbian Americans Mastered Electricity – Ancient Inscription And Document Reveal Proof Of Advanced Ancient Technology
Ancient Technology | Feb 4, 2018
-
Cheomseongdae “Star-Gazing Tower” Is The Oldest Observatory In East Asia
Featured Stories | Mar 31, 2021
-
Unexplained Mystery Of The Ship Of Horror – An Unsettling Story
Featured Stories | Aug 22, 2024
-
Face Of Neanderthal Who Lived 56,000 Years Ago Reconstructed
Archaeology | Nov 10, 2023
-
Two Men Sentenced To Prison For Vandalism Of 4,000-Year-Old Petroglyphs In Nevada
Archaeology | Nov 12, 2022
-
Ancient Seal Found In The City Of David: Evidence Of Bethlehem’s Existence Long Before Jesus Was Born
Archaeology | May 24, 2012
-
Camazotz: ‘Death Bat’ Vampire God In Ancient Maya Beliefs
Featured Stories | Jun 8, 2017
-
City Of Purushattum: Oldest Known Written Document Reveals History Of 4,500-Year-Old Silver City
Archaeology | Jun 4, 2017
-
Ancient Mystery Of Pharaohs And Gods With Two Left Or Two Right Hands – A Deeper Investigation
Featured Stories | Jan 30, 2025
-
Ancient Andean People Had A Plant-Based Diet And Were Not Hunter-Gatherers
Archaeology | Jan 25, 2024
-
Ancient Medical Machine Ahead Of Its Time Hidden In Emperor’s Temple – Secret Science Knowledge Examined
Featured Stories | Apr 20, 2018
-
Fascinating Geghard Monastery: Rock-Cut Secret Caves, Passages And Hundreds Of Monk Cells
Civilizations | Aug 3, 2021
-
First-Ever Discovery Of Roman Road Network Spanning The South West UK Made By LIDAR
Archaeology | Aug 7, 2023