Nieth: Who Was This Ancient Egyptian Goddess?
Neith was a foundational deity in ancient Egypt, a complex figure of creation and conflict whose divine wisdom was sought by both gods and mortals.
Among the vast pantheon of ancient Egypt, the goddess Neith stands out as one of the most ancient and complex figures. Her worship dates back to the Predynastic era and continued through the Roman period, establishing her as a primordial deity. Her domains were multifaceted, encompassing creation, war, and wisdom. Neith was regarded as a self-created goddess who existed at the dawn of time, playing a part in the world’s formation and establishing her as a foundational figure in Egyptian cosmology.
The Multifaceted Domains of Neith
As a creator goddess, ancient texts describe Neith as a self-generated deity who brought the cosmos into being. This portrayal often highlights her androgynous nature, possessing both male and female characteristics that allowed her to create without a partner. In some accounts, she is credited with weaving the world into existence on her loom, a metaphor for her creative capabilities.
She was sometimes referred to as the mother of the sun god Ra or, in other traditions, the mother of Sobek, the crocodile god. These varied creation stories link her to the life-giving waters of the Nile and underscore her status as a primeval force. She was seen as responsible for the origins of life and the gods themselves.
Beyond creation, Neith was a goddess of war and the hunt. As a protector of the king and the Egyptian people, she embodied the strength and strategy needed for victory. Her association with weaponry was direct, as she was said to fashion weapons for warriors and guard their bodies after death. Soldiers and hunters revered her, looking to her for protection and success.
Her warlike aspect focused on defense and justice, acting as a guardian who repelled chaos. This protection extended to the pharaohs, ensuring their power was maintained. Neith’s role as a warrior was intertwined with her wisdom, representing the intelligence required for military strategy rather than just brute force.
Neith was also respected as a goddess of wisdom and a mediator. The other gods sought her counsel to resolve their disputes, a testament to her intelligence and foresight. She embodied the principles of cosmic order and justice, often associated with Ma’at, the concept of truth and harmony. Her wisdom was seen as a guiding force for both gods and mortals.
As an arbiter, she commanded deep respect within the pantheon, bringing resolution to conflict and restoring balance. This combination of creative power, martial strength, and wisdom made Neith one of the most versatile deities in ancient Egyptian religion.
Neith’s Role in Funerary Beliefs
Neith’s connection to weaving extended into funerary practices through the creation of mummy wrappings. Her skill with the loom was repurposed for the afterlife, as she was believed to weave the linen bandages used to wrap the deceased. This sacred task was a part of mummification, ensuring the body was preserved for its journey into the underworld and placing her alongside other deities involved in funerary rites.
Her duties in the afterlife also included protecting the deceased. Neith was one of four goddesses, along with Isis, Nephthys, and Serqet, assigned to guard the canopic jars. These jars held the internal organs removed during mummification and were placed within the sarcophagus.
Neith’s specific responsibility was to watch over the east side of the sarcophagus and protect Duamutef, the jackal-headed son of Horus. Duamutef guarded the canopic jar containing the stomach. By guarding this vessel, Neith helped preserve the physical remains necessary for the deceased to be reborn in the underworld.
Symbolism and Iconography
Neith is identifiable by a distinct set of symbols representing her domains. Her most prominent emblem is a shield with two crossed arrows, signifying her authority over war and the hunt. This symbol was often displayed on her head in depictions.
Another symbol connected to Neith is the weaving shuttle, referencing her role as a goddess of weaving. In some interpretations, her primary symbol of the shield and crossed arrows was later confused with a loom, strengthening her association with weaving. These symbols blend her martial power with creative skill.
Neith was depicted as a woman wearing the Red Crown of Lower Egypt, linking her to the Nile Delta where her worship was strong. Her name is thought to be connected to the name of this crown. In many representations, she holds a was-scepter, a symbol of power, and an ankh, the symbol of life.
While shown in human form, Neith could also be depicted with the head of a lioness, as a snake, or as a cow. The lioness imagery connects her to other protective goddesses. Her form as a cow relates to her role as a creator and mother goddess, sometimes called the “Great Cow Who Gives Birth to Re.”
The Cult Center of Sais
The primary center of Neith’s worship was the city of Sais, located in the western Nile Delta. Known as Zau in ancient Egyptian, it was the heart of her cult from the 1st dynasty. The city’s emblem was the same as the goddess’s: a shield with two crossed arrows.
Her temple at Sais, the “House of the Bee,” was a renowned religious site, with Greek historians like Herodotus writing of its fame. At this temple, Neith was revered as a primordial creator. Inscriptions, likely reflecting beliefs at Sais, describe her as the creator of the world and mother of the sun god, Ra.
The prominence of Neith’s cult grew when dynasties from Sais came to rule Egypt. During the 26th Dynasty, known as the Saite Dynasty, her worship was elevated to a national level. The pharaohs of this period promoted her cult, solidifying her status as a state deity and spreading her influence beyond the Delta.
Neith in Egyptian Mythology
Neith’s wisdom is illustrated in the mythological tale, the “Contendings of Horus and Seth.” This story recounts the eighty-year dispute between Horus and Seth over the throne of Egypt following the death of Osiris. The other gods were unable to reach a decision.
Frustrated by the stalemate, the gods wrote a letter to Neith seeking her judgment. Her age and primordial status gave her a unique authority among the gods, and they believed her wisdom could settle the matter.
Neith’s response was decisive. She ruled that the throne should be given to Horus, the heir. To appease Seth, she proposed he be given additional lands and permission to marry two foreign goddesses. Neith then threatened to cause the sky to crash down upon the earth if the other gods did not heed her judgment, compelling them to accept her ruling.