Wadjet, also known by various names such as Wadjyt, Uto, and Buto, ranks among the most ancient goddesses of Egypt. Her veneration can be traced back to the Predynastic Period, although her role evolved over the centuries. Initially celebrated as the local deity of Per-Wadjet (Buto), she soon emerged as the guardian goddess of Lower Egypt. By the close of the Predynastic Period, Wadjet became associated closely with Lower Egypt, frequently depicted alongside her sister Nekhbet, the goddess of Upper Egypt. Together, they symbolized the unity of the two regions, prominently featured in the “nebty” title—an essential royal designation indicating the pharaoh’s dominion over all of Egypt. This title dates back to the era of Anedjib from the First Dynasty.
The Pyramid Texts allude to the creation of the first papyrus plant and the primordial swamp by Wadjet. This connection is highlighted by her name, represented with the glyph of a papyrus plant, the emblem of Lower Egypt. Additionally, a myth indicates that Wadjet was the daughter of Atum (later associated with Ra), dispatched as his “eye” to retrieve Tefnut (moisture) and Shu (air) when they strayed into the chaos of Nun’s waters. At their return, Atum, overjoyed, shed tears from which the first human beings were born. To honor Wadjet, he placed her upon his head in the form of a cobra to ensure her perpetual proximity and role as his protector.
Wadjet is also recognized as one of the deities referred to as the “Eye of Ra,” linking her with other significant goddesses such as Bast, Hathor, Sekhmet, and Tefnut. The symbol depicting the “Eye of Ra” was frequently termed the “Wedjat.” In this capacity, she was dispatched to take vengeance for her father, nearly bringing humanity to its end. Ultimately, humanity survived when she was deceived with a concoction of beer dyed red with pomegranate juice to mimic blood.
Moreover, Wadjet is believed to embody the principles of Ma’at, encompassing justice and balance. An incident involving Geb, who assaulted his mother Tefnut, illustrates her enforcement of Ma’at—the snake, representing Wadjet, retaliated violently when Geb attempted to don the Royal Ureas, leading to catastrophic consequences for him and his followers due to his defiance of Ma’at.
Wadjet is often viewed as a fierce deity, in contrast to her sister Nekhbet, who is seen as more nurturing. However, Wadjet possessed a gentler aspect, assisting Isis in nursing the young Horus and aiding the mother and child in evading Set within the delta marshes. She was dedicated to safeguarding women during childbirth and providing protection to the adult Horus against Set’s followers. Horus pursued them as a winged sun disc, flanked by Nekhbet and Wadjet, who took on serpent forms. This divine protection extended to the pharaoh, who adorned their forehead with the “Royal Ureas” serpent. From the Eighteenth Dynasty onwards, queens incorporated snakes resembling Wadjet and her sister into their headdresses.
Wadjet was linked to specific temporal associations, such as the fifth hour of the fifth day in the Egyptian calendar and “iput-hmt” (Epipi), the harvest month. Her festivals were celebrated on notable days, including the 10th of “rh-wr” (Mekhir)—known as “the day of going forth of the Goddess,” the 7th of “khnty-khty” (Payni), and the 8th of “Wpt-rnpt” (Mesori), coinciding with the winter and spring solstices.
The Temple of Wadjet, referred to as “Pe-Dep,” was an ancient worship site mentioned in the Pyramid Texts, illustrating her connection with Horus. Wadjet was thought to be the consort of Hapi in Lower Egypt and occasionally linked to Set in his association with the region. Other descriptions named her as the wife of Ptah, mother of Nefertem, and likely represented her lion aspect similar to Sekhmet.
Symbolically, Wadjet was represented by the cobra; she is typically depicted as a rearing or winged cobra, or a woman adorned with a cobra head. Often, she appears alongside her sister, who is illustrated either as a snake or a woman. By the Late Period, Wadjet became associated with the ichneumon, a creature noted for its ability to kill serpents, which was also sacred to Horus. Mummified ichneumon and shrews were entombed alongside depictions of Wadjet, symbolizing the dichotomy of day and night. Moreover, she was revered as a vulture goddess and depicted as a lion-headed woman with a solar disc and Uraeus (the cobra).
