Not every deity in Ancient Egypt was celebrated with grand temples or elaborate state-sponsored rituals. Some, like Bes and Taweret, were more intimately integrated into everyday home life, invoked for safety and protection. Meretseger stands as a notable middle ground; while she had a following among common folk, her realm extended beyond the domestic sphere.
The worship of Meretseger was primarily focused in the Theban necropolis, notably in Deir el Medina, although her veneration can also be traced to Elephantine—likely brought there by artisans from Deir el Medina assigned to construction projects. Known as Dehenet-Imentet, which translates to “The Peak of the West,” this title alludes to the distinctively shaped mountain that stands guard over the tombs of royal and noble figures in the Valley of the Kings and the broader Theban area. It was believed that Meretseger resided within this mountain, which symbolized her essence. The name Meretseger, meaning “She Who Loves Silence,” aptly defines her territory—one that was mostly inhabited by the deceased and a small population of craftsmen and their families. Personally, I once made the trek from the Valley of the Kings to Deir el Medina and experienced an overwhelming sense of isolation in the vastness of the landscape, a feeling that must have been heightened for the original residents as they transitioned from a lively settlement to a valley where their activities were likely the only disruptions in the serene environment.
Symbolism and Representations
Though closely tied to the mountain, Meretseger was depicted not as a mountain herself but rather as a snake or as a woman with a snake’s head, and occasionally as a scorpion. The Ancient Egyptian pantheon includes numerous snake deities, with male representations often associated with both benevolent and malevolent aspects, primarily inhabiting the Duat (the realm of the afterlife or underworld). In contrast, female snake figures, particularly cobras, were seen as nurturing protectors. The uraeus, a symbol of the goddess Wadjet, was donned by Pharaohs to signify her protection. Meretseger fulfilled a similar role for the entirety of the Theban necropolis. Given that snakes and scorpions thrive in her desert domain, these creatures served as fitting representations of her power.
As her cult flourished, numerous stelae—both formal and in the form of ostraca—were dedicated to Meretseger in Deir el Medina. Within Ancient Egyptian belief systems, knowledge was often prioritized over actions; possessing the right spells or phrases could overshadow one’s earthly deeds. For example, reciting a spell to shield one’s heart from negative testimony could assure a favorable outcome during the judgment of the heart. Conversely, some stelae honoring Meretseger reveal a contrasting aspect of religious practice among common individuals, displaying a deep humility toward the divine and appealing for her forgiveness. These stelae illustrate her role in administering justice, with accounts of her punishing wrongdoing by inflicting blindness or delivering venomous bites, but also highlighting her ability to grant mercy and heal the transgressor. One of the most renowned stelae, now housed in the Egyptian Museum in Turin, was dedicated by a well-off craftsman named Neferabu. It recounts his ignorance and foolishness, acknowledging that he did not distinguish good from evil. After being punished by the goddess, described as being “in her hand by day as by night,” he successfully appealed for her mercy and stated, “She was merciful to me, having made me see her hand. She returned to me appeased; she made my malady forgotten.”
Decline of Worship
Meretseger’s cult not only faced geographical limitations but also temporal restrictions, with her worship rising and falling in sync with the use of the Valley of the Kings as a burial site. There are no records of her being venerated prior to the New Kingdom, and once the era of tomb construction ceased, leading to the departure of craftsmen from Deir el Medina, the worship of Meretseger waned, leaving her enshrined in the silence she cherished—until the arrival of treasure seekers, tourists, and archaeologists in the Valley of the Kings.
