Sekhmet stands as a towering figure in the ancient Egyptian pantheon, revered as the goddess of both war and healing. She served as a powerful patron for physicians, bridging the gap between disease and its cure, embodying a duality that was both feared and revered. This article delves into the essence of Sekhmet, exploring her character, the myths surrounding her, and the reasons why she was known as the Bloodthirsty goddess.
1. Introduction to Sekhmet
A prominent figure among Egyptian goddesses, Sekhmet was often overshadowed by Isis, the Great Sorceress, and Hathor, the goddess of love and joy. Yet, while Hathor exuded nurturing qualities, it was Sekhmet, manifested in the form of a fearsome lioness, who represented vengeance. In Egyptian iconography, she is depicted as a woman with the head of a lioness, sometimes adorned with green skin akin to Osiris. Her distinctive features included an ankh in one hand and a long-stemmed lotus in the other, crowned with a solar disk and the uraeus symbolizing sovereignty.
The name Sekhmet derives from the term “sekhem”, which translates to “powerful” or “mighty”. Her epithet list is intimidating, filled with titles like “She Before Whom Evil Trembles” and the “Mistress of Dread”. Although she originated as an extension of Hathor, the two goddesses diverged into distinct entities, with Sekhmet adopting attributes that aligned her closely with the fearsome yet protective goddesses like Bastet and Mut.
2. Origins and Domains of Sekhmet
Sekhmet’s origins remain somewhat nebulous, likely rooted in the Delta region where lions were seen as enigmatic creatures. According to the Memphite Theology, she was conceived as the wife of Ptah, the patron god of artisans, and as the mother of the lotus god Nefertum. She was regarded as the firstborn of Ra, the sun god. Alongside Ra and Nefertum, they formed the revered “Memphite Triad” during Egypt’s 18th and 19th dynasties when Memphis was the capital.
Her influence stretched across regions like Luxor and Karnak, with priests conducting daily rituals to control her wrath. In some temples, where the blood of sacrificed animals was offered, Sekhmet’s presence was appeased, providing her worshippers with strength to combat vulnerability and illness. Indeed, a plethora of Sekhmet statues, like the 700 uncovered in Amenhotep III’s temple, showcases the intensity of her worship.
3. The Bloodthirsty Goddess
Sekhmet’s penchant for blood was celebrated during the festival of Hathor and Sekhmet. This occasion involved spirited gatherings where beer tinted with pomegranate juice was consumed in honor of their duality—Bastet representing benignity and Sekhmet embodying chaos. A core myth contributed to her fearsome reputation: Sekhmet once nearly exterminated humanity, a calamity averted only by the intoxication of beer that mimicked blood. Celebrations that ensued during the festival were as much about appeasing Sekhmet as they were about diverting the annual flooding of the Nile, colored red with silt.
4. Warrior Patroness
Her fierce demeanor naturally led to her ascent as a deity of war. Egyptian pharaohs revered Sekhmet as their battle patroness, claiming her ferocity aided them in combat. Sekhmet’s imagery adorned makeshift banners, symbolizing the might of the pharaoh on the battlefield. She was honored post-battle to ensure her retribution would not continue. Pharaoh Ramesses II prominently featured Sekhmet’s image to exemplify his martial prowess.
5. The Wrath of Sekhmet
The Egyptian Book of the Dead evokes Sekhmet’s dual nature of creation and destruction, representing balance or Ma’at. Nevertheless, her destructive tendencies were apparent, particularly when plagues emerged, which were considered her messengers. The fear she instilled was likened to Sekhmet “overrunning foreign lands” during epidemics. Known variably as “Lady of Pestilence” or the “Red Lady”, her wrath came with dire consequences for those who antagonized her.
6. The Tale of Humanity’s Destruction
One riveting narrative chronicled in Egyptian lore is “The Destruction of Mankind,” embedded within the larger myth known as the Book of the Heavenly Cow. The mythology recounts a revolt against Ra, who, in retaliation, created Sekhmet from one of his eyes. She was unleashed to punish the insurrectionists, creating havoc until the desert was carpeted in blood. Ultimately, Ra sought to halt her destruction, concocting a scheme involving beer dyed red to satiate her thirst for blood, resulting in her eventual return to a subdued state.
7. Healing Aspects of Sekhmet
Despite her destructive capabilities, Sekhmet also embodied the principles of healing. She was intricately connected to the monarchy; some sources suggest her role as a nurturing figure for kings like Maahes, a lion deity associated with protection and kingship. This duality was evident in her celebrated capacity to both inflict disease and offer its remedy. Her healing virtues were honored by craftsmen and physicians alike, emphasizing the respect afforded to her protective aspects, particularly evident in the statues commissioned by Amenhotep III, designed to watch over him in the afterlife.
As a complex deity with fierce contradictions, Sekhmet exemplified the intricacies of life and death, embodying strength in both warfare and healing, thus cementing her as one of ancient Egypt’s most formidable goddesses.
