Serket: Protector Goddess of Ancient Egypt
Serket, also referred to as Serqet, Selkis, or Selket, is a deity from ancient Egyptian mythology known for her protective qualities and association with scorpions. Revered as a Mother Goddess, her worship spanned across Lower Egypt during the Predynastic Period, dating back to approximately 6000 to 3150 BCE, marking her as one of Egypt’s earliest deities.
Her healing and magical properties, embodied in her name, “She Who Causes the Throat to Breathe,” showcase her connection to the scorpion—an important symbol in her iconography alongside the Ankh and the Was Sceptre. Notable archaeological evidence links Serket to the Scorpion Kings, underscoring her significance in protecting Pharaohs at that time. Her influence extended from the Delta Region of Lower Egypt to the more central cities in Upper Egypt.
By the era of the First Dynasty (c. 3150-2890 BCE), Serket had become associated with Nun, the primordial water god and Father of the Gods, connecting her to the very origins of creation. Though her explicit role in creation remains a mystery, connections suggest she might have been depicted as the spouse of either Atum, the son of Nun, or Nun himself. In later depictions, Serket also appears on the barge of Ra, safeguarding against the serpent Apophis during its nightly journey through the sky.
Divine Representation
Visually, Serket is portrayed as a striking woman with outstretched arms in a protective pose, adorned with a scorpion upon her head. This iconography often deliberately omits the scorpion’s stinger and claws, signifying her role as a shield against venom. Over time, Serket’s attributes morphed, and she became deeply intertwined with funerary practices, eventually becoming linked to the souls of the departed. Renowned for her exquisite golden statue and the alabaster canopic jar found in Tutankhamun’s tomb, her legacy in death rituals is profound.
Early Religious Significance
Her moniker, “She Who Causes the Throat to Breathe,” directly reflects her protective function regarding the scorpion. There are few surviving myths detailing Serket’s origin, unlike many other Egyptian deities. References to her presence during creation exist, yet specifics about her role are sparse. In ancient texts from the Old Kingdom, she is represented as a nurturing figure, illustrated as breastfeeding Kings of Egypt. Protective spells from these texts frequently mention her alongside other goddesses such as Isis and Nephthys, showcasing her importance in ancient protective rites.
The absence of dedicated temples to Serket leads some scholars to theorize that she may have been subsumed into other goddess figures, experiencing a transformation similar to Neith and Hathor who evolved from fierce deities to symbols of nurturing and wisdom. Scholar Geraldine Pinch highlights the prevalent dangers of scorpion stings in ancient Egypt, especially for young children, which may have reinforced Serket’s protective image.
Role in the Osiris Mythology
One of the most central tales in ancient Egyptian folklore is the Osiris Myth, which demonstrates Serket’s protective nature. This narrative centers around Osiris and Isis, the ruling deities of a paradise-like existence. Osiris is betrayed by his jealous brother Set, who traps and kills him. Isis endeavors to resurrect him, enlisting the help of her sister Nephthys in safeguarding his body and eventually reviving Osiris to engage in his new role as the deity of the afterlife.
Serket is sometimes invoked during Isis’s challenging labor, tasked with keeping venomous creatures at bay as she gives birth to Horus in the swamps. This portrayal of her assistive role in childbirth solidifies her association with motherhood and maternal guardianship over women in labor. Throughout the narrative, Serket’s scorpions serve as protectors for both Isis and her newborn son.
The Tale of the Seven Scorpions
Another captivating story linked to Serket is that of “Isis and the Seven Scorpions.” Chronicling the hardship faced by Isis while sheltering Horus, the tale reveals how Serket provided companionship in the form of seven scorpions. These scorpions diligently ensured Isis’s safety whenever she ventured out for provisions, and upon encountering a proud noblewoman who shunned Isis, Serket retaliated against the woman’s arrogance by sending a scorpion to sting her son.
Despite the initial offense, Isis chooses compassion and heals the noblewoman’s boy, illustrating both the moral lesson of the narrative and Serket’s enduring essence as a protective figure.
Transformation Over Time
Gradually, Serket’s role evolved. While still recognized as a guardian, her earlier characteristics as a mother goddess were subsumed by Isis’s growing prominence. The narratives shifted focus from Serket to Isis, marking a trend of diminishing serket’s presence in earthly affairs while amplifying her stature in the afterlife.
In funerary traditions, Serket became crucial as one of the deities responsible for guiding souls through the afterlife, notably appearing as a figure who navigates the waters leading to paradise. She was often called upon during funerals for her revered power, believed to grant life to the dead as they arose from their physical forms. The significance of the heart in the afterlife judgment ritual brings Serket into the fold, depicting her as an enforcer of divine retribution, punishing the wicked or rewarding the justified.
Medical Worship and Legacy
Despite the changes in emphasis caused by the evolution of the Osiris Myth, Serket retained her popularity. Although her worship did not possess tangible temples, her priests and priestesses became esteemed figures largely due to their roles as medical practitioners known as the Followers of Serket. Their expertise in medicine and healing practices was recognized and sought after throughout Egyptian society.
The reverence for her medical capabilities persists in the spells recited by physicians to ward off diseases and venomous bites. Serket’s domain over healing ensured her prominent association with the well-being of individuals both in life and the afterlife, celebrating her imperative role in Egyptian culture.
In conclusion, Serket embodies a rich tapestry of protective power, maternal qualities, and healing which has established her as a vital part of ancient Egyptian mythology.
