What does the Wadjet symbolize?

Wadjet, also spelled Wadjit, also called Buto, Uto, or Edjo, cobra goddess of ancient Egypt. Wadjet and Nekhbet, the vulture-goddess of Upper Egypt, were the protective goddesses of the king and were sometimes represented together on the king’s diadem, symbolizing his reign over all of Egypt.

What does the Egyptian cobra symbolize?

The cobra is associated with the sun god, the kingdom of Lower Egypt, the kings and their families, and several deities. A symbol of protection, it guards the gates of the underworld, wards off the enemies of the royals and guides the deceased pharaohs on their journey through the underworld.

What does the snake on a pharaoh mean?

The uraeus was an ancient Egyptian symbol of a reared snake (generally a cobra). It was found throughout Egyptian art, but the uraeus was most notably attached to the very front of pharaohs’ crowns. The snake in this form was a symbol of the goddess Wadjet, an ancient protective deity of Lower Egypt.

Who is Wadjet related to?

Wadjet is sometimes identified as the Eye of Ra, the female counterpart of Ra. The Eye is portrayed as a ferocious and violent force that subjugates the enemies of Ra. In one myth, Ra sent the fierce Wadjet to slay those who opposed him. The wrath of Wadjet was so strong that she almost destroyed all of humankind.

What is Wadjet eye?

One of the most popular amulets in ancient Egypt, the wedjat eye represents the healed eye of the god Horus. An amulet in this shape was thought to protect its wearer and to transfer the power of regeneration onto him or her. It was used by the living as well as for the dead.

What did Wadjet do?

Wadjet was revered as the goddess of childbirth, and protector of children, and in later years she became the protector of kings. Wadjets role was often seen as a forceful defender, while her sister, Nekhebet, was seen as the motherly defender.

Why is the cobra sacred in Egypt?

The cobra was adopted as protector of the king, and representations of the snake (referred to by Egyptologists as an uraeus), with its hood raised and ready to spit venom, sometimes adorn the brows of various kings.

What is the sacred snake of Egypt?

The Uraeus (/jʊəˈriːəs/; plural Uraei or Uraeuses; from the Greek οὐραῖος, ouraîos, “on its tail”; from Egyptian jꜥrt (iaret), “rearing cobra”) is the stylized, upright form of an Egyptian cobra, used as a symbol of sovereignty, royalty, deity and divine authority in ancient Egypt.

Why did pharaohs have snakes on their heads?

In ancient Egypt the serpent was believed to be the first off- spring of primeval earth, identified with the gods Seth and Apophis, and in constant warfare against the sun-god, Ra (Lurker 1989:370). The Uraeus snake symbol worn on the forehead became the Pharaoh’s sign of sovereignty (Hendel 1995:1406; Bunn 1967:616).

What does the serpent symbolize?

Historically, serpents and snakes represent fertility or a creative life force. As snakes shed their skin through sloughing, they are symbols of rebirth, transformation, immortality, and healing. The ouroboros is a symbol of eternity and continual renewal of life. In Hinduism, Kundalini is a coiled serpent.

Does wadjet have wings?

Scarab with Winged Uraeus (Wadjet) on Gold Hieroglyph ca. 1070–525 B.C. Third Intermediate Period–Late Period. A winged cobra faces right, stretching both wings out in front of her.

What is Wadjet Eye?