Wadjet – Egyptian Goddess Protected Pharaohs And Was Depicted As A Cobra-Uraeus

Angela Sutherland  - AncientPages.com - In Egyptian mythology, Wadjet is a goddess depicted as a cobra and worshiped in Lower Egypt. Wadjet was represented as a cobra-uraeus.

Wadjet illustration from Pantheon égyptien by Leon Jean Joseph Dubois. Image credit: Rawpixel -CC BY-SA 4.0

The Uraeus ("rearing cobra"), in the upright form of an Egyptian cobra, symbolized sovereignty, royalty, deity, and divine authority in ancient Egypt and is closely associated with the goddess Wadjet.

She protected the Egyptian pharaohs, and the Uraeus (the image of Wadjet with the solar disk) was displayed upon the pharaoh's head and was a part of the pharaoh's crown.

It symbolically protected the pharaoh's power in this earthly realm and the heavenly abode. The pharaoh was recognized only by wearing the Uraeus. This tradition is ancient and goes back to the Old Kingdom during the third millennium BC. Several goddesses associated with or considered aspects of Wadjet are also depicted wearing the Uraeus.

According to Greek historical sources, her temple and the oracle were located in Per-Wadjet, later known as Buto, officially Wadjet's cult center.

Nefertum on a lotus flower is depicted between the Ladies of the Two Lands - Wadjet and Nekhbet. Temple of Dendera, Roman period. Image credit: Olaf Tausch - CC BY 3.0

Wadjet was associated with the Nile Delta region from a very early time. In Egypt's pre-Dynastic period, Wadjet was the guardian of all of Lower Egypt, while her counterpart, the vulture goddess Nekhbet, played a similar role in Upper Egypt. So, a real connection existed between a serpent-headed Wadjet and Nekhbet, the vulture goddess in Upper Egypt. This connection was also clearly seen.

At the time of the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt, Nekhbet joined the image of Wadjet on the Uraeus that would encircle the crown of the pharaohs who ruled unified Egypt. The double crown of the rulers of Egypt was known as pschent, the "Two Powerful Ones."

Wadjet was depicted as an attacking cobra, which could symbolize the divine care of the pharaoh, who was seen as the gods' representative on Earth and one of the gods. He played a crucial role in the Egyptian cult. As a god and the personification of Egypt, he possessed more power than any other monarch recorded in human history.

However, he was a strong ruler, a high priest, a lawmaker, and a battle commander. The pharaoh was both a political and a religious leader.

Due to his unique position, the pharaoh needed Wadjet, a protector.

It was believed that she provided him with power and authority. Therefore, her images were placed on royal crowns, showing her close association with the ruler.

Image of Wadjet at Deir el-Bahri Temple. Image credit: I, Rémih - CC BY-SA 3.0

The pharaohs wore the Uraeus as a head ornament, either with the body of Wadjet atop his head or as a crown encircling his head.

This decoration symbolized the goddess's protection of the ruler and supported his right over the land.

Wadjet is not a goddess mentioned often in the "Pyramid Texts" because she, first and foremost, is linked with the world of the living. Her name "Wadjet" means "the green one," which is most probably related to the natural color of the serpent or the color of the papyrus (plant-symbol of Lower Egypt).

Wadjet – The "Mistress Of Fear"

Why was the goddess known as the "Mistress of Fear" or the "Mistress of Awe?

According to Egyptian mythology, the royal serpent spat terrible flames in defense of the king, and military inscriptions of Ramesses II (those related to the great Battle of Kadesh) describe Wadjet, who, with her fiery breath, mercilessly killed the pharaoh's enemies.

For Ramesses II, this battle (fought against the Hittites) was his reign's most significant historical event. He led his smaller force of 20,000 men against the larger Hittite army of 50,000 men.

In some other myths, as linked with several leonine goddesses, Wadjet is referred to as the famous "Eye of Ra." In addition, we remember Wadjet as a possible mother of Nefertum, and was highly regarded as a caregiver for women giving birth.

Amulets of the goddess Wadjet were popular during the Saite Period (724-712 BC). Her shrine was known as the "house of flame" and attested to pre-dynastic times. Interestingly, although related to the living world, Wadjet was often included in funerary decorations of the ancient Egyptians, so one can say this goddess was a revered deity.

Updated on September 7, 2024

Written by – A. Sutherland  - AncientPages.com Senior Staff Writer

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