Renenutet, also known by names such as Termuthis, Ernutet, and Renenet, was a notable cobra goddess from the Delta region of ancient Egypt. She wielded immense power, possessing a gaze that could vanquish her foes. Despite her formidable nature, the Egyptians revered her for the protection she provided throughout their lives. In artistic representations, she is shown as a woman, a cobra, or as a woman with a cobra’s head adorned with a dual-plumed headdress or solar disk. At times, she is also depicted with a lion’s head, reminiscent of the goddess Hathor in her “Eye of Ra” aspect. In the afterlife realm, Renenutet transforms into a fearsome fire-breathing cobra capable of causing death with a single look.
The etymology of her name is debated among scholars, with some suggesting it originates from “rnn” (to nurture) and “wtt” (snake). Others propose that “rnnt” refers to “fortune” or “riches,” while some interpretations focus on the first syllable “rn,” meaning “name.” This aligns with her role in bestowing names upon children, leading some to label her as “She who is in the name,” although this interpretation has been questioned by some historians. There are also references to a distinct goddess named Renenet, associated with nursing; it remains unclear whether she and Renenutet are indeed the same entity or if their identities blended over time.
In various myths, Renenutet is sometimes depicted as the spouse of Geb, the earth god, and the mother of Nehebkau, the serpent deity who guards the underworld and protects Ra nightly. Other traditions link her to Sobek or Shai, the god of fate. She is also recognized as the mother of Nepri, the embodiment of corn, closely tied to Osiris. Renenutet’s status as an exemplary maternal figure led to her merging with Isis (the wife of Osiris) under the names Isermithis or Thermouthis.
For the ancient Egyptians, names carried significant spiritual power. As the Goddess of Suckling, Renenutet granted each infant a secret name along with its mother’s milk, earning her the title “She Who Rears.” She played a vital role in protecting children from curses, as it was believed that a child was watched over by Renenutet from birth. In this protective aspect, she was associated with Meskhenet, a goddess overseeing childbirth.
Eternal life in ancient Egyptian belief hinged upon a person’s image and name enduring. Given her role in naming individuals, Renenutet was linked with Shai, symbolizing destiny. Pharaoh Ramesses II referred to himself as the “Lord of Shai and Creator of Renenutet,” signifying his control over his fate. Renenutet and Shai were often illustrated alongside Thoth, and together they were occasionally referred to as “the hands of Thoth.” In the Litany of Re from the New Kingdom, she is described as the “Lady of Justification,” aligning her with the principles of Ma’at.
The Pyramid Texts identify Renenutet as the goddess of abundance and prosperity. Snakes, often seen in fields during harvest, were thought to hunt pests that threatened crops, which led to the perception of Renenutet as a guardian of harvests. She was assigned titles such as “Goddess of the Double Granary,” “Lady of Fertile Fields,” and “Lady of Granaries.” Notably, rulers Amenemhet III and IV established a temple for Renenutet, Sobek, and Horus at Dja, the site now known as Medinet Madi, which saw expansion during the Ptolemaic Period. An annual harvest festival was celebrated in her honor, where the finest produce was offered to her, alongside various shrines erected throughout Egypt in wine-producing regions.
Renenutet was also associated with the seasonal inundation and presided over the eighth month of the ancient Egyptian calendar, colloquially termed “Parmutit.” From the early periods, she was regarded as a protector of the pharaoh in the afterlife, recognized by the title “Nourishing Snake.” She was believed to imbue the clothing of the pharaoh with protective power, counteracting his enemies. By the New Kingdom, her influence extended to the mummification rites, wherein she was believed to empower the wrappings, an honor solidified in the Ptolemaic Period with the designation “The Lady of the Robes.”
