Significance of Sekhet

Sekhet, also known as Sekhmet, is a powerful lioness-headed goddess in Egyptian mythology. She embodies the sun's fierce heat and destruction, acting as a protector and destroyer of enemies. Sekhet is associated with slaughter, blood, and the control of creatures like crocodiles. She is also linked to sexuality, reproduction, and the creation of souls. As a Great Mother figure and protector of Osiris, Sekhet plays a significant role in ancient Egyptian religious beliefs.

Synonyms: Field, Meadow, Grassland, Pasture, Plain, Expanse, Power, Might, Strength

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Classical concept of 'Sekhet'

Various literature Books

Meaning of Sekhet in Ancient Egyptian mythology, history and philosophy:
Egypt Books

From: The Gods of the Egyptians Vol 1

(1) Sekhet, the goddess, is generally depicted in the form of a woman with the head of a lioness which is surmounted by the solar disk encircled by an uraeus.[1] (2) Sekhet is a goddess who personifies the burning, fiery, and destructive heat of the sun, acting as a destroyer of the enemies of the Sun-god and the deceased.[2] (3) Sekhet is a deity who is associated with slaughtering mankind and wading in their blood, specifically beginning in Suten-henen during a particular night.[3] (4) Identifies a lioness goddess whose cult was practiced, representing one of the extremely ancient religious traditions.[4]

From: Ancient Egypt the Light of the World

(1) The Great Mother in her solar form, also a lioness, represented as an ancestress of the human race in certain Egyptian texts.[5] (2) According to the provided text, it is also said of those who derive from the mother, the Amu, the Tamehu, and the negroes, 'Sekhet has created them and she creates their souls'.[6] (3) Sekhet is described as the goddess of sexual communion, showing the importance of sexuality and reproduction in ancient beliefs and their connection to the divine feminine.[7]

From: Legends Of The Gods

(1) Sekhet stoppeth up the throats of the crocodiles and fish dwelling in the water, showcasing her role in controlling these creatures.[8] (2) Sekhet is a goddess who waded about in the night season in the blood of men and women, and she was given mandrakes to crush for making beer.[9] (3) This entity, along with Ra, Thoth, and Heka, are the four great gods who protect Osiris, and who will blind and choke his enemies, and cut out their tongues.[10]

From: The Book of Am-Tuat

(1) Sekhet is the first of four goddesses with the head of a lioness, each holding an ankh in her right hand and a sceptre in her left.[11] (2) SEKHET, also written as SEKHMET, is described as a lioness-headed god who marches in front of the boat.[12]

From: The Book of the Dead

(1) Sekhet identifies as sitting upon the great western side of heaven, as she declares her presence in the chapter.[13] (2) Sekhet was in Memphis the wife of Ptah, and the mother of Nefer-Tmu and of I-em-hetep and she was the personification of the burning heat of the sun.[14]

From: The Book of Gates

(1) SEKHET is the lioness-headed goddess who is the fourth of the four kneeling gods in the procession.[15]

Egypt was an ancient civilization ruled by pharaohs that left behind an extensive cultural heritage and mythology. The Egyptians build the Pyramids of Giza and various temples of great size. Located in North Africa, part of this civilization’s success is the effective use of the River Nile. Their religious pantheon included many Gods dispersed over various belief systems, philosophies and cults.