The Egyptian Goddess Nephthys
Goddess Nephthys, also known as Nebet-het in ancient Egypt, is a fascinating deity. Her name literally means “Lady of the Temple Enclosure” or “Mistress of the House.” This title hints at her primary roles as a protective goddess. She was a member of the powerful Ennead of Heliopolis, a group of nine foundational deities in Egyptian mythology. Nephthys is often seen in a complex, multifaceted light, embodying both darkness and protection, death and healing.
Origins and Family Ties
The lineage of Goddess Nephthys is rooted in the very beginnings of the Egyptian pantheon. She was the daughter of Geb, the earth god, and Nut, the sky goddess. This made her a sister to three other extremely significant deities: Osiris, Isis, and Set. Nephthys was the sister-wife of Set, the god of chaos and the desert. However, their relationship was often tumultuous and complex.
In the famous myth of Osiris, Nephthys played a pivotal role. According to some accounts, she disguised herself as Isis and seduced Osiris. This union resulted in the birth of a son, Anubis, the god of mummification and the dead. Out of shame and fear of her husband, Set, Nephthys abandoned the infant Anubis. Fortunately, Isis found the child and raised him as her own, solidifying a deep bond between the two sisters.
Roles and Responsibilities
Goddess Nephthys held responsibilities in multiple domains. She was a goddess of the night, twilight, and the unseen, representing the liminal space between life and death. Her association with the desert and decay links her to existence’s more somber aspects. However, people also knew her as the “Helpful Goddess” or the “Excellent Goddess,” and she possessed great magical and healing powers.
Her most significant role was as a protector. She guided the dead on their journey through the underworld, known as the Duat. In funerary texts like the Book of the Dead and the Pyramid Texts, she appears as a friend to the deceased. She worked alongside her sister Isis to protect and restore Osiris’s body after Set murdered and dismembered him. This partnership in the Osirian myth is a central part of her identity. People often call Nephthys and Isis the “Weeping Sisters” for the sorrow and dedication they showed while mourning Osiris.
Nephthys also played a key role in the embalming process. She was known as the “Queen of the Embalmer’s Shop” in Memphis. Along with Isis, Neith, and Serqet, she protected one of the four canopic jars that held the deceased’s internal organs. Specifically, she guarded the jar containing the lungs, which the son of Horus, Hapi, protected.
Goddess Nephthys: Iconography and Symbols
People most commonly depict Nephthys as a woman wearing a headdress that represents her name. This headdress consists of the hieroglyphs for a temple enclosure or house and a basket. This clear and distinct iconography helps viewers easily identify her in ancient art.
Artists also frequently show her with outstretched wings, often as a kite or a woman with falcon wings. The mournful cry of the kite bird was believed to sound like the wailing of professional mourners at funerals, further connecting Nephthys to death and lamentation. These wings symbolize her protective nature, as she would shield the deceased and guide them safely to the afterlife. In many tomb paintings and reliefs, she is positioned at the head or feet of a sarcophagus, acting as a divine guardian.
Historical Significance of Goddess Nephthys
Though a more widespread cult focused on her sister Isis, Nephthys still held importance as a goddess. She had her own temples and priesthoods, and her cult centers included Heliopolis and Senu. People often worshiped her alongside other deities, particularly her husband Set and the goddess Anuqet.
Nephthys’s significance grew, especially during the New Kingdom under the Ramesside pharaohs. People revered her for her protective qualities and her ability to assist souls in their transition into the afterlife. Her enduring legacy speaks to the complex and crucial role she played in ancient Egyptian beliefs, bridging the gap between life, death, and rebirth.
This video provides an overview of the goddess Nephthys. Goddes Of Protection (Nephthys) | All Scenes Powers | Gods Of Egypt
