Serket is a mythical creature that has been a part of Egyptian mythology for centuries. She is often depicted as a woman with a scorpion tail or a scorpion with a woman’s head. Serket is the goddess of healing venomous stings and bites, and was originally the deification of the scorpion.
According to Egyptian mythology, Serket was a powerful deity associated with the protection of the dead and healing. She was worshipped widely in Lower Egypt as a great Mother Goddess in the Predynastic Period. Her name describes the paralysis that results from scorpion stings, and she was believed to have power over venomous snakes and scorpions.
Serket’s family life is unknown, but she is sometimes credited as the daughter of Neith and Khnum, making her a sister to Sobek and Apep. Despite her association with venomous creatures, Serket was generally viewed as a protective goddess, and was believed to be able to protect a person from venomous bites. In this article, we will explore the origins and mythology of Serket, and the role she played in ancient Egyptian culture.
Origins and Mythology
Historical Context
Serket is an ancient Egyptian goddess associated with healing venomous stings and bites. She was originally the deification of the scorpion and was worshipped widely in Lower Egypt as a great Mother Goddess in the Predynastic Period (c. 6000- c. 3150 BCE). Her family life is unknown, but she is sometimes credited as the daughter of Neith and Khnum, making her a sister to Sobek and Apep.
Symbolism and Significance
Serket’s name describes the paralysis that results from scorpion stings. It means “(she who) tightens the throat” in reference to the feeling of suffocation that can result from the venom. In Egyptian mythology, she was often depicted as a woman with a scorpion on her head or as a scorpion with a woman’s head.
Serket was also associated with the protection of the dead and was believed to have the power to ward off evil spirits. She was often invoked in the ritual healing of those suffering from venomous bites and stings. In addition, Serket was sometimes identified with Isis, another powerful Egyptian goddess associated with healing and protection.
Overall, Serket’s mythology reflects the ancient Egyptians’ deep reverence for the natural world and their belief in the power of the gods to protect and heal.
Depictions in Egyptian Culture
Iconography
Serket was often depicted as a woman with a scorpion on her head or as a scorpion with a woman’s head. She was also sometimes depicted as a woman with wings holding a scorpion in each hand. The scorpion was a symbol of danger, and Serket was seen as a protector against the dangers of venomous creatures.
Temple Reliefs
Serket was a popular goddess in ancient Egyptian religion, and many temples were dedicated to her. Temple reliefs often depicted her as a winged woman with a scorpion on her head or holding a scorpion in each hand. Serket was also often depicted alongside other deities such as Isis and Nephthys.
In many temple reliefs, Serket was shown performing healing rituals and protecting the dead. She was often invoked by physicians to help cure patients of poisons, and her protective powers were believed to extend beyond the physical realm into the afterlife.
Overall, Serket played an important role in Egyptian culture as a protector against the dangers of venomous creatures and a powerful goddess associated with healing and protection.
Associations with Other Deities
Serket, the ancient Egyptian goddess of healing venomous stings and bites, is often associated with other deities in Egyptian mythology. Here are some notable associations:
Relationship with Isis
Serket is sometimes identified with Isis, the goddess of motherhood, fertility, and magic. In some Egyptian texts, Serket is referred to as the “daughter of Isis.” In other texts, Serket is described as an aspect of Isis, sharing imagery and parentage. The two goddesses are both associated with healing and protection, and are often invoked together in magical spells.
Connection to Ra
Serket is also associated with Ra, the sun god and creator deity. In some Egyptian texts, Serket is referred to as the “eye of Ra,” a symbol of the sun god’s power and protection. Serket is sometimes depicted as a guardian of the sun god, protecting him from the serpent-demon Apep. The scorpion, which is associated with Serket, is also sometimes seen as a symbol of the sun’s power and protection.
Overall, Serket’s associations with other deities in Egyptian mythology highlight her importance as a goddess of healing and protection. Her connections to Isis and Ra demonstrate her role as a powerful and multifaceted deity, invoked in both domestic and cosmic contexts.
Worship and Cult Centers
Serket was one of the oldest deities in the religious history of Egypt. Her earliest image came from Saqqara where she appears on a funerary stela. The antiquity of the worship of Serket can be traced back to the time period of the 1st dynasty. Serket was given a respected position while it came to magical spells.
Originally, Serket was worshiped in the Delta, but her cult spread throughout the land of Egypt, with cult centers at Djeba and Per-Serqet (Pselkis, el Dakka). The priests of Serqet were doctors and magicians who dedicated themselves to healing venomous bites from poisonous creatures. In ancient Egypt, medicine was a mixture of folklore, magic, and science, and the priests of Serqet were considered experts in this field.
The cult of Serket was so widespread that she had temples in powerful ancient cities like Nippur, Sippar, Kish, Harbidum, Larsa, and Urum. Serket was also the goddess of medicine. As such, she assisted when people were ill, but she also inflicted austere bodily penalties to oath breakers.
Influence on Modern Media
Literature
Serket, the goddess of healing venomous stings and bites, has been referenced in various pieces of literature. In Rick Riordan’s novel “The Red Pyramid,” Serket is portrayed as a powerful magician and a member of the House of Life. In “The Kane Chronicles,” she is depicted as a scorpion goddess who helps the main characters in their quest. Serket’s presence in modern literature highlights the continued relevance of Egyptian mythology in contemporary culture.
Film and Television
Serket has also made appearances in film and television. In the movie “The Mummy Returns,” she is portrayed as a minor antagonist who works for the main villain. In the TV series “Stargate SG-1,” she is depicted as a powerful Goa’uld who rules over a planet. Serket’s portrayal in film and television demonstrates the enduring popularity of Egyptian mythology in popular culture.
Overall, Serket’s influence on modern media highlights the continued relevance of ancient myths in contemporary culture.
Serket’s Role in Magic and Healing
Serket is an ancient Egyptian goddess associated with magic and healing. She was believed to have the power to cure venomous stings and bites, making her a popular figure in ancient Egyptian medicine. Serket was also associated with fertility and childbirth, and it was believed that she could protect pregnant women and newborn babies from harm.
In ancient Egyptian mythology, Serket was often depicted as a woman with a scorpion’s tail, holding a scepter and an ankh, symbols of power and life. Her association with scorpions and other venomous creatures is thought to have arisen from the belief that scorpion stings could cause paralysis, and Serket’s name means “she who causes the throat to breathe,” suggesting her role in curing respiratory problems caused by venomous bites.
Serket was also a protector of the dead, and her image was often carved onto the lids of canopic jars that held the organs of the deceased. Her role as a guardian of the underworld further cemented her association with magic and healing, as she was believed to have the power to protect the living from the dangers of the afterlife.
Overall, Serket’s role in magic and healing was an important one in ancient Egyptian society. Her association with scorpions and other venomous creatures made her a powerful figure in medicine, and her protective role in childbirth and the afterlife ensured her continued worship and reverence throughout Egyptian history.
Comparative Mythology
Serket, also known as Selket, is an ancient Egyptian goddess associated with healing, protection, and fertility. In Egyptian mythology, she was often depicted as a woman with a scorpion on her head or as a scorpion with a woman’s head. Serket was believed to be the protector against venomous creatures and was associated with the afterlife.
Comparative mythology is the study of myths and legends from different cultures to identify similarities and differences. In Mesopotamian mythology, the scorpion was also a symbol of protection and was associated with the goddess Ishtar. Similarly, in Greek mythology, the scorpion was associated with the goddess Artemis, who was also a protector of women and children.
The scorpion was also a symbol of death and rebirth in many cultures. In Hindu mythology, the goddess Kali was often depicted with a scorpion on her forehead, representing the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. In Aztec mythology, the god Huitzilopochtli was often depicted with a scorpion’s tail, symbolizing his power over life and death.
Overall, the scorpion and its association with powerful goddesses and gods in different cultures highlight the importance of protection, healing, and the cycle of life and death.