Sekhmet… the destructive and healing power in ancient Egyptian mythology
◾Sekhmet, meaning “the mighty one” or “the blazing one,” is one of the most complex and influential deities in ancient Egyptian religion. She embodies the destructive power of the sun, yet she is also protective and healing, making her a symbol of the divine duality between destruction and healing.
◾Appearance and Symbols
Body and Head: A woman with the body of a human and the head of a lioness, a symbol of courage and strength.
Symbols: Surmounted by the sun disk and the serpent Oreos (symbol of the Eye of Ra). In her hand, she holds the ankh (key of life) or the scepter of power (Sekhmet).
Titles: Eye of Ra, Lady of War, Lady of the Two Lands (Upper and Lower Egypt), the Mighty One, Beloved of Ptah, the Great Physician.
Symbolism: She represents fire, war, plagues, and military power, and then protection and healing.
◾Theological and Familial Role of Sekhmet
Sekhmet was one of the most important deities in ancient Egyptian religion, especially in Memphis, where she held a prominent position among the gods.
◾ In the sacred triad of Memphis, Sekhmet formed the feminine aspect alongside:
Ptah: her husband, the god of craftsmen and architects.
Nefertum: her son, the symbol of the lotus, beauty, and new life.
◾Sekhmet was closely associated with the god Ra, as she was considered the embodiment of the Eye of Ra, the destructive and vengeful solar force that erupts in anger upon humanity when they err.
◾The paradox: Sekhmet represents the destructive force that brings plagues and disasters, and the protective nature that grants healing and protection.
◾Because the myth of Sekhmet still holds many secrets for us, we will continue our journey with her in an upcoming post… Get ready to discover a deeper side of the fiery goddess and her ancient wisdom.
◾The Myth of the Destruction of Humanity (Sekhmet’s Wrath)
◾The most famous myth associated with Sekhmet describes her wrath that nearly wiped out humanity:
- The Cause of the Wrath: Ra was angry with humans for conspiring against him, so he sent Sekhmet to punish them.
- The Destruction: Sekhmet took it upon herself to slaughter humans and enjoyed it to the point of nearly eradicating the human race.
- Ra’s Deception: To save what remained of humanity, Ra ordered large quantities of beer mixed with a red dye to resemble blood to be poured.
- The Calm: Sekhmet drank the beer until she was drunk and calmed down, and her anger transformed into mercy and the power to heal.
◾Sekhmet and Medicine: The Healing Figure
◾Despite her reputation as a figure of war and plagues, she played a prominent role in ancient Egyptian medicine.
◾The Source of Disease and its Cure: The Egyptians believed that epidemics and sudden illnesses were the result of Sekhmet’s wrath or “Sekhmet’s demons.” Priests of Sekhmet: Known as “Servants of Sekhmet,” they used magic, incantations, and medicinal remedies to appease her and seek healing.
◾Protection of the Pharaohs: Statues of her were erected to protect the king and the country from disease, such as the statues of King Amenhotep III at Kom El-Hitan in Luxor.
◾Main Places of Worship
Memphis: Her main cult center.
Temple of Amenhotep III: Hundreds of statues made of black granite can be found in his temple in Luxor.
Karnak Temples: Her worship emerged and became associated with the goddess Mut. Statues and shrines dedicated to her can be found within the temple complex.
◾Sekhmet is a symbol of both destructive power and healing protection, reflecting the genius of ancient Egyptian religious thought in its conception of the duality of life and death, power and forgiveness, destruction and healing.
◾️Article by Eman Sayed..