Serket: The Guardian Goddess of Ancient Egypt
Serket, known variously as Serqet, Selkis, and Selket, is a revered goddess in ancient Egyptian mythology, symbolizing protection and intricately associated with scorpions. Her worship gained prominence in Lower Egypt during the Predynastic Period (circa 6000 – 3150 BCE), establishing her as one of Egypt’s ancient deities.
Serket is frequently linked to healing, magic, and safeguarding, with her name aptly meaning “She Who Causes the Throat to Breathe.” Key symbols such as the scorpion, Ankh, and Was Sceptre illustrate her protective nature. She played a significant role as the protector of kings, as archaeological evidence connects her name, Serqet, with the Scorpion Kings who ruled before Narmer (circa 3150 BCE). Her status as a protective figure grew as her worship expanded from the Delta Region to Upper Egypt’s cities.
By the First Dynasty (circa 3150-2890 BCE), Serket’s association with Nun, the god of the primordial waters, was established. While her exact involvement in the world’s creation is ambiguous, conjecture suggests she may have been a consort to either Atum, the first son of Nun, or Nun himself. Eventually, she was depicted among the deities that accompanied the sun god Ra on his nightly ship, vigilantly guarding against the serpent Apophis.
Serket, often visualized as a beautiful woman with a scorpion adorning her head, embodies the protective essence against venomous beings. Uniquely, the scorpion is portrayed without a sting or claws, symbolizing her role as a guardian against harmful bites. Over time, Serket’s attributes fused with those of Horus, aligning her more closely with concepts of death and the care of souls, earning her the moniker “Lady of the Beautiful Tent,” referencing the embalming tent. Notably, her golden statue and alabaster canopic jar discovered in Tutankhamun’s tomb are among her most celebrated artifacts.
Early Connections to Religion
Her name’s meaning reflects her deep connection with scorpions. Unlike many Egyptian deities, Serket lacks well-documented mythological narratives about her creation. References indicate her presence during world creation, but her specific role remains unspecified. She is portrayed as a nurturing mother goddess in prehistoric Egypt, associated with scorpions, a symbol of motherhood in several Near Eastern cultures. Texts from the Old Kingdom depict her nursing Egyptian kings, affirming her protective stature.
The absence of temples dedicated to Serket across Egypt leads some scholars to speculate on her absorption into the attributes of other deities such as Hathor and Neith, both similarly ancient. Neith, the patron goddess of the Delta city of Zau, transformed from a fierce figure associated with destruction to one embodying wisdom and craftsmanship. This transformation echoes what might have occurred with Serket, who possibly evolved from a motherly figure into her venomous representation due to the dangers scorpion stings posed to vulnerable populations, especially children.
Amulets bearing her name were worn to offer protection against scorpion bites or assist in breathing should a sting occur, emphasizing her protective role.
Serket in the Osiris Myth
The Osiris Myth is one of ancient Egypt’s cornerstone narratives, resonating strongly within the culture, especially by the New Kingdom era (1570-1069 BCE). The tale revolves around Osiris and his wife-sister Isis, who govern an early utopian world until their brother Set, harboring jealousy, ensnares and kills Osiris, casting his dismembered body into the Nile.
Upon retrieving Osiris’s remnants with her sister Nephthys, Isis reconstructs him but is hindered since a fish has devoured his penis, rendering him imperfect. In her grief, Isis transmutes into a falcon to conceive Horus. Serket’s role emerges as she safeguards Isis during childbirth, repelling venomous creatures from the mother and infant—a narrative underpinning her status as protector of women and children in labor. In shadowy marshes, while Isis sought nourishment, Serket dispatched her scorpions to protect Horus from threats.
The tale of “Isis and the Seven Scorpions” further emphasizes Serket’s protective nature. While concealing Horus from Set, Serket sends seven scorpions to accompany Isis. Known for their fierce demeanor, the scorpions ensure Isis’s safety as she ventures to seek food. When a wealthy woman refuses hospitality to Isis, Serket decides to retaliate. However, recognizing her grave mistake when the noblewoman’s son suffers from Tefen’s sting, Isis, embodying compassion, redeems the boy.
Transformation of Serket
The Osiris Myth’s evolution altered Serket’s narrative, diminishing her role as the mother goddess and amplifying her connection to death and the afterlife. Although she continued serving as a protective figure, Isis increasingly assumed motherly attributes, causing Serket’s influence to recede in earthly manifestations but gain significance in afterlife contexts.
In the Egyptian afterlife, Serket became a guardian deity, as emphasized by her role in securing souls navigating the waters heading to paradise. Her magical powers bespoke her ability to aid the deceased on their rebirth journey, also pairing her with retribution for unworthy souls. Such souls faced judgment in the Hall of Truth, presided over by Osiris, where Serket could either uplift or punish according to their earthly actions, showcasing her dual nature of mercy and vengeance.
Typically, Serket’s scorpions enacted their wrath against those who harmed the innocent. While she is predominantly connected with death, she was also charged with the safety of vital organs during mummification—effective guardianship bestowed upon Qebhesenuef, one of the Four Sons of Horus responsible for preserving intestines.
Worship & Influence
Although the Osiris narrative transformed many aspects of Serket’s character, she remained a highly celebrated goddess with significant moral standing in ancient society, often noted as a physician’s patron. Though lacking in dedicated temples, the priests and priestesses of Serket commanded deep respect, being regarded as healers—the “Followers of Serket.”
The healing practices upheld by these practitioners melded with Serket’s essence, as she offered protection against poisons and venomous bites. Notably, spells invoking Serket’s healing powers were commonplace, showcasing the integration of her divine influence into everyday life.
In sum, Serket—this multifaceted goddess—illustrates a compelling blend of nurturing maternal instincts and fierce protective qualities, weaving her legacy into the fabric of ancient Egyptian belief systems.
