From the dawn of Egypt’s First Dynasty around 3200 BCE, the revered cheetah goddess Mafdet held a significant place in worship. Known as “the runner,” she symbolized swift execution of justice. As the “Avenger of the King,” it was believed that Mafdet prowled the unseen realms, removing the hearts of wrongdoers and presenting them at the feet of the Pharaoh, much like a feline presenting its prey to its keeper. Additionally, she was regarded as the Great Fetterer and inhabited what is referred to as the Mansion of Life, firmly establishing her as a representation of judicial authority.
Mafdet was also revered by several other titles, such as the “Lady of the House of Life,” “Slayer of Serpents,” and “Great Cat.” While details surrounding her worship remain limited, other feline deities, specifically Bastet and Sekhmet, may have absorbed some of Mafdet’s roles over time. Nonetheless, the goddess’s significance, particularly to the pharaohs, is prominently illustrated through her depictions on royal artifacts and within the burial sites of mummified rulers.
Mafdet’s Role in the Pyramids
Numerous Pyramid Text Spells depict the encounters of Mafdet battling adversarial snakes of the underworld. A strong connection exists between her and the “House of Life” (Per Ankh) as well as the “Mansion of Life.” The House of Life is tied to education, medicine, and scribal activities in temples, whereas the “Mansion of Life” could relate to the royal residence. The spells suggest that Mafdet, in her feline form—a cheetah or otherwise—was kept within royal homes to safeguard against the venomous serpents.
Various utterances from the Pyramid Texts depict her formidable prowess; in utterance 295, Mafdet leaps upon the neck of a menacing underworld snake, while utterance 297 illustrates her claws tearing at an enemy’s face. Utterance 298 describes the lethal knife in her possession, affirming that she was capable of decapitating any threat, and in utterance 385, her physical strength is showcased as she grapples with another foe. As the narrative of snakes evolves in Egyptian lore, they culminate into the significant figure of Apophis in the Book of the Dead, a formidable adversary against whom Mafdet stands victorious in specific spells.
Notably, Mafdet also served as a guardian of the sun god Re (Ra), utilizing her sharp teeth to vanquish his enemies including deadly snakes and scorpions. The symbolism behind Re’s stance against the snake he encounters accentuates Mafdet’s protective nature: “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” (PT Utterance 298).
Guardians of the Pharaohs
Within the mortuary temples of the Theban Necropolis, cheetahs were depicted adorned with collars and leashes, suggesting their esteemed status within the royal family. Though known for their exceptional hunting abilities, cheetahs were not regarded as threats to humans, especially when raised from cubs, as they displayed remarkable protective behaviors. This trait led to the belief that such guardian cheetahs assisted in escorting the pharaohs’ spirits to the afterlife. Additionally, the striking pattern of spots on the cheetah’s coat may have evoked a celestial connection in the minds of ancient Egyptians, reminiscent of the starry night sky.
