The Role of Taweret in Ancient Egyptian Family Life
Glencairn Museum showcases an extensive collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts, including a notable assortment of faience amulets featuring the goddess Taweret, revered for her protective qualities. This hippopotamus-shaped goddess was particularly significant for pregnant and nursing women in ancient Egyptian society, serving as a guardian against malevolent spirits. Taweret’s fierce appearance, characterized by a blend of hippopotamus, crocodile, and lion traits, conveyed her power. She was often depicted wielding a knife, further reinforcing her role as a protector.
In her scholarly examination, Dr. Jennifer Houser Wegner, the Associate Curator for the Egyptian Section at the Penn Museum, discusses Taweret’s important presence in domestic settings, reflecting on the family-oriented aspect of ancient Egyptian spirituality. The dynamics of divine families were mirrored in human households. Within temples of ancient Egypt, divine family units often depicted gods and goddesses such as Osiris, Isis, and their son Horus. Isis epitomized the ideal mother, fiercely safeguarding her offspring in the absence of her husband Osiris.
Establishing a household and bearing children, especially sons, were paramount in ancient Egyptian culture. Texts originating from the Old Kingdom to the Ptolemaic period offered moral and practical guidance favoring family formation, emphasizing the importance of marriage and childbirth. An excerpt from an Old Kingdom wisdom text advocates for marrying early to ensure offspring, highlighting societal expectations. Nonetheless, while birth was an occasion for joy, it was also fraught with peril; maternal and infant mortality rates were significant in pre-modern times, leading families to seek various forms of protection for mothers and their newborns.
The ancient Egyptians possessed advanced medical knowledge, as evidenced by numerous medical papyri. Doctor-practitioners treated ailments through observation and prescriptions, but they also incorporated magical practices into healthcare. They invoked prayers to deities for healing, and individuals often appealed to the gods for assistance in issues such as fertility. For instance, the stela of a woman named Taimhotep reveals a heartfelt petition to the god Imhotep when she and her spouse sought a son.
In ancient Egypt, the recitation of spells and the use of amulets were common practices for both the living and the deceased. These protective items could form depictions of deities, animals, or symbolic motifs and were crafted from various materials, with faience being a preferred choice due to its spiritually significant colors. The term for amulet, ‘s3,’ also signifies protection, which reflects the duality of its purpose.
Amulets of Taweret highlight her widespread popularity, with Glencairn Museum housing several examples. Taweret’s representation deviates from the typical gracefulness of other deities. Unlike the more traditionally attractive forms of female gods, she embodies a striking, protective fierceness, symbolizing a blend of powerful animals to denote strength instead of beauty.
Taweret’s posture is distinctive as she is often depicted as a pregnant figure, symbolizing fertility and protection. Her name means “the great (female) one,” and her image has significant associations related to safeguarding. Not only was she connected to domestic shrines, but her presence also appeared in public spaces, underscoring her protective role in society. Evidence of Taweret is found on household artifacts, emphasizing her importance in the daily lives of families.
In addition to her domestic worship, Taweret’s connection to the Nile’s inundation and her title, “She of the Pure Water,” suggests a symbolic relationship to fertility. Despite the dominance of male deities in Egyptian pantheon narratives, Taweret’s worship remained vital, especially among women seeking maternal protection. The continuing reverence for Taweret into contemporary settings, such as women visiting her statue in modern museums for inspiration, reflects her long-standing role in safeguarding motherhood.
Artifacts depicting Taweret and associations with magic emphasize her significance as a protector. Items linked to childbirth, such as magical wands and feeding cups, often featured her image, indicating her role in ensuring the safety of mothers and newborns during vulnerable moments. Connections between protective practices and beliefs in divine protection reveal profound insights into the maternal-oriented beliefs of ancient Egyptians.
Understanding childbirth in ancient Egypt relies on blending textual evidence and archaeological findings. The story of the birth of triplets in the Papyrus Westcar, guided by divine entities, illustrates the belief in divine assistance during childbirth. The discovery of a unique “birth brick” reinforces aspects of maternal care as it signifies physical support during labor.
The symbolism of a child’s birth relating to sunrises highlights a recurring theme in Egyptian spirituality where protection from hostile forces during infancy is mirrored in the grace and danger associated with the sun god. Taweret’s role in this cultural framework continues to resonate today, as modern beliefs and practices echo those of ancient Egyptian traditions, indicating the lasting legacy of this protective deity.
In summary, Taweret serves as a powerful symbol of maternal protection within the domestic sphere of ancient Egyptian life. Her enduring legacy reflects cultural practices around motherhood and childbirth, emphasizing the balance between divinity and human experience.
