Exploring the Ancient Legacy of Neith: The Creator Goddess of Egypt
We are excited to announce the participation of renowned Egyptologist, Dr. Edward Scrivens, from The Egypt Exploration Society, on our immersive 14-day journey titled “Queens and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt.” This tour invites you to delve into ancient Egyptian history through the perspectives of influential women. In this inaugural blog post, Dr. Scrivens embarks on a fascinating discussion about Neith, the goddess who is credited with the creation of the universe.
Ancient Egyptian Creation Myths
Ancient Egyptians spun a plethora of creation myths throughout their extensive civilization, which lasted over three millennia. These myths served a vital purpose, enhancing rituals with a narrative backdrop. The stories often merged various symbolic components to explain respective rites and their intended impacts, such as a tale of how the goddess Isis purged poison from her son Horus to empower healing incantations.
The Role of Male Deities
Traditionally, many creation narratives emphasized male gods as the architects of existence. For instance, the ‘Heliopolitan account’ narrates how Atum, the sun god, originated all other deities and the cosmos from himself. Similarly, the ‘Memphite account’ attributes the conception and verbalization of the world to Ptah, another male deity. Although some accounts included female attributes—like Atum’s hand depicted as a goddess or the ‘Hermopolitan account’ illustrating a creator emerging from an egg formed by god-goddess pairs—goddesses were oftentimes relegated to secondary roles. An exception to this pattern, however, is the illustrious goddess Neith.
The Goddess Neith
Neith boasts ancient roots, associated with warfare, hunting, the primordial oceans, and the artistry of weaving. Her name, possibly signifying ‘The Terrifying One’, is evident in some of the earliest records, such as a grave goods tag found in the royal cemetery at Abydos dating back to the First Dynasty. She was held in high esteem by early rulers, reflected in names that paid homage to her, including the formidable queen Meritneith, who features prominently in our “Queens and Goddesses” tour. Despite the fluctuation in the reverence of other deities through the ages, Neith retained a significant role in the Egyptian pantheon, with worship extending from the dawn of pharaonic Egypt until its conclusion.
Neith’s Creation Narrative
Neith’s creation story is inscribed in the Graeco-Roman temple of Esna, detailing the primordial waters known as the Nun, which enveloped existence before creation. In this tale, Neith emerges as the cow goddess Mehet-Weret, personifying the overflowing waters of life. She subsequently assumes the guise of a sacred Nile Perch, a fish revered at Esna, illuminating her eyes to pierce the darkness of the cosmos, thereby introducing light to the void.
Following this, Neith manifests a mound of creation rising from the Nun’s waters through her spoken words. The primeval mound appeared simultaneously in two regions: Esna and her northern sanctuary at Sais. Continually, she conceived various sacred spots in Egypt and summoned a cadre of thirty deities to accompany her on this mound.
Neith also initiated the birth of Ra, the sun god, by vocalizing his emergence into existence. From her being, an egg formed, which subsequently hatched Ra, leading to a moment of profound connection where Ra’s joyful tears birthed humanity and his saliva created other gods. Neith then beckoned Ra to her principal abode at Sais, swimming there as a cow with Ra positioned on her horns, reminiscent of depictions of various cow goddesses adorned with a solar disk.
A Timeless Presence
While this vivid myth illustrates Neith as the universe’s creator, it is pertinent to note that it is largely specific to the Esna temple and composed during later historical epochs. Earlier accounts, such as in the New Kingdom story “The Contendings of Horus and Seth,” allude to Neith’s creative influence. In this narrative, gods consult Neith for guidance regarding the rightful heir to Osiris’ throne. Her response stresses the necessity of justice, hinting at her formidable power to potentially reverse creation—a testament to her enduring significance throughout ancient Egyptian lore.
A Lasting Legacy
From the inception of a united Egypt to the twilight of pharaonic history, Neith has remained a formidable presence. Her importance may have varied through time, yet she consistently upheld her status as one of Egypt’s predominant deities, her divine influence intertwined with the very fabric of existence.
Join Us
We invite you to explore the life and legacy of Neith and other powerful feminine figures along the Nile on our “Queens and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt” tour. We have meticulously curated this experience to unveil the marvels of Egypt, ensuring a memorable journey for all.
