Neith: The Creator Goddess of Ancient Egypt
We are excited to announce that expert Egyptologist, Dr. Edward Scrivens, from The Egypt Exploration Society, will be joining us for our enchanting 14-day journey titled “Queens and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt.” This tour will examine the legacies of influential women in ancient Egyptian culture and power. Dr. Scrivens starts us off by discussing Neith, the deity believed to have created the universe.
Myths of Creation in Ancient Egypt
The ancient Egyptians developed numerous creation myths over the course of their remarkable civilization, which spanned more than three thousand years. These narratives served not only as stories but also as essential components of various rituals, aiming to empower them. For example, there are tales detailing how the goddess Isis purged poison from her son Horus, providing a backdrop for healing rites.
The Role of Male Deities
Typically, creation myths portray male deities as the architects of the universe. The Heliopolitan narrative, for instance, describes the sun god Atum originating the cosmos from himself, while the Memphite version credits the god Ptah, who conceived the world’s phenomena in his heart and voiced them into being. Though some feminine elements appear within these accounts, goddesses often played secondary roles. Neith stands out as a notable exception.
Introducing Neith
Neith is an ancient goddess associated with warfare, hunting, the primordial waters, and the art of weaving. Her name, potentially meaning “The Terrifying One,” appears as early as the 1st Dynasty in Egypt, such as on grave goods from Abydos. She was revered among the earliest kings and queens, with many adopting her name. Notably, Queen Meritneith is featured in our Queens and Goddesses tour. Despite the rise of other deities throughout Egyptian history, Neith’s influence remained robust from the inception of pharaonic times until the very end.
The Creation Story of Neith
Neith’s creation myth, recorded in inscriptions from the Graeco-Roman temple of Esna, begins in the dark, limitless waters called Nun. From these waters, Neith arose in the guise of the cow goddess Mehet-Weret, symbolizing the life-giving essence of creation. Transforming into a sacred Nile perch, Neith illuminated her eyes, allowing her to perceive the initial void and introduced light into the cosmos.
Neith then summoned the mound of creation from Nun’s waters through her powerful words. This primeval hill materialized in two locations — Esna and her northern cult center, Sais. Conceiving various sacred spaces and a pantheon of thirty deities, she continued to bring her visions to life.
Among her creations is the sun god Ra. Neith announced his birth, and an egg emerged from her, which hatched to reveal Ra. Their emotional reunion resulted in Ra’s tears forming humanity, while his spittle birthed the other gods.
Finally, Neith invited Ra north to Sais. Taking the form of a cow, she swam there with Ra nestled upon her horns, an image reminiscent of Egyptian cow goddesses often depicted with sun discs. Their arrival at Sais was celebrated annually with a festival that saw people carry torches, a nod to Neith’s role in guiding Ra.
The Early Recognition of Neith
Although this vibrant myth is particularly attributed to the temple of Esna, references to Neith’s creative role can be found in earlier narratives as well, including the New Kingdom story known as “The Contendings of Horus and Seth.” In this tale, a group of gods consult Neith for her judgment on who should inherit the throne of the slain god Osiris. Her authoritative response further solidifies her position as a powerful deity, suggesting that her ties to creation extend well beyond the Graeco-Roman period.
Neith’s Enduring Influence
From the dawn of unified Egypt to the final days of pharaonic history, Neith’s influence remained significant. Although her prominence may have fluctuated over time, she always retained her status as one of the most revered goddesses in Egypt, embodying the force behind the world’s existence.
Join Us in Discovery
We invite you to explore the legacy of Neith and other influential feminine figures along the Nile by joining us on the “Queens and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt” tour. This thoughtfully curated journey promises to unveil Egypt’s awe-inspiring wonders and provide an unforgettable experience.
