From the inception of Egypt’s First Dynasty, around 3200 BCE, the esteemed goddess Mafdet, depicted as a cheetah, garnered reverence. Renowned as “the runner,” she symbolized rapid death and served as the “Avenger of the King.” It was believed that Mafdet would extract the hearts of wrongdoers, presenting them as trophies at the feet of the Pharaoh, similar to how a cat delivers its catch to its owner. She was recognized as the Great Fetterer residing in the Mansion of Life, representing the embodiment of justice.
Mafdet also held various notable titles such as “Lady of the House of Life,” “Slayer of Serpents,” and “Great Cat.” Unlike the more extensively documented feline goddesses like Bastet and Sekhmet, the information surrounding Mafdet’s worship remains limited. Nevertheless, her significance to the pharaohs is reflected in her imagery on their personal artifacts and within the linens of their mummified remains.
The Pyramid Texts frequently feature spells that pit Mafdet against fierce underworld snakes. Often associated with the “House of Life” — a temple section dedicated to education, medical practices, and scribes — she is also linked to the “Mansion of Life,” which might denote the royal palace. These spells illustrate a concept where Mafdet, in her cheetah or feline form, is envisioned as a guardian capable of protecting the royal palace from venomous intruders.
In several Pyramid Texts, Mafdet’s fierce attributes are on display; utterance 295 depicts her leaping towards a snake’s neck, while utterance 297 illustrates her claws striking an assailant’s face. Other texts describe her combat techniques, from utilizing a knife to decapitate her adversary to physically overpowering the serpent. Ultimately, these snakes evolve into the figure of Apophis in the Book of the Dead, where Mafdet triumphs over this force in multiple occurrences.
Mafdet was also revered as the protector of the sun god Re, annihilating his foes with her sharp teeth and decimating snakes and scorpions alike. One representative passage illustrates her pivotal role as a protector, stating:
“Re arises, his uraeus upon him, against this snake which came forth from the earth and which is under my fingers. He will cut off your (i.e. the snake’s) head with this knife which is in the hand of Mafdet who dwells in the Mansion of Life.”
In the mortuary temples of the Theban Necropolis, cheetahs adorned with collars and leashes are frequently illustrated, indicating their esteemed place in royal households. Unlike other wild cats that may pose a threat, cheetahs, when raised from cubs, exhibited nurturing and protective behaviors. This unique characteristic led to a belief that these guardian cheetahs would escort the spirits of deceased pharaohs to the afterlife. The distinctive spotted fur of these guardians may have evoked celestial imagery for ancient Egyptians.
