# Serket

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Ancient Egyptian deity

This article is about the Egyptian goddess. For the arachnology journal, see [Serket (journal)](/source/Serket_(journal)). For the *[Homestuck](/source/Homestuck)* character, see [Vriska Serket](/source/Vriska_Serket).

Serket The Egyptian goddess Serket is often depicted as a woman with a scorpion gracing her crown. She holds the ankh, the symbol of life, in one hand and a was-sceptre, representing power, in the other. Name in hieroglyphs or [1] Symbol Scorpion Genealogy Parents Set[citation needed], or Khnum[citation needed] and Neith[citation needed] Siblings Apep (in some myths), Sobek (in some myths)[citation needed] Consort Horus the Younger or Horus the Elder Offspring Nehebkau (in some myths)

**Serket** [/ˈsɜːrˌkɛt/](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA/English) ([Ancient Egyptian](/source/Ancient_Egyptian_language): *srqt*) is the [goddess](/source/Goddess) of protection against the venomous stings and bites of scorpions in [Egyptian mythology](/source/Egyptian_mythology).[2] She was primarily worshiped in [Lower Egypt](/source/Lower_Egypt) during the [Predynastic Period](/source/Prehistoric_Egypt) (c. 6000 – c. 3150 BCE). Serket is often depicted as a woman whose head is surmounted by a scorpion with its tail is ready to sting, an [ankh](/source/Ankh) in one hand, and a [*was-*sceptre](/source/Was-sceptre) in her other. Her name, also rendered as Serqet, Selkis, or Selket, is a shortened version of 'Serket hetyt' which means "she who causes the throat to breathe."[3]

## Old Kingdom

### Name and Roles

She is associated with healing, magic, and protection. Another interpretation of her name is, 'she who gives breath.' As many of the venomous creatures of Egypt could prove fatal, Serket was considered a protector of the dead, particularly being associated with venoms and fluids that cause stiffening.

It has been suggested that Serket's identification with a scorpion may be a misinterpretation of the phrase, 'she who gives breath'; it is possible that it could refer not to a scorpion, but rather a [water scorpion](/source/Water_scorpion) ([Nepidae](/source/Nepidae)). According to this hypothesis, the meaning behind Serket's name refers to the way water scorpions can breathe underwater. She was seen as one who could cure scorpion stings and the effects of other venoms such as [snakebites](/source/Snakebite). As such, Serket was often said to protect the deities from [Apep](/source/Apep), the great [snake](/source/Snake)-demon of evil.

During the [Old Kingdom](/source/Old_Kingdom_of_Egypt) she held a protective role around the throne of the king. However, her primary role was with the funerary cult. She was said to be the protector of the tents of [embalmers](/source/Embalming) and is one of the [tutelary](/source/Tutelary_deity) goddesses depicted on the [canopic chest](/source/Canopic_chest) which contains four [canopic jars](/source/Canopic_jar). [Qebehsenuef](/source/Four_sons_of_Horus) is said to guard the canopic jars and it is Serket's job to protect him along with [Neith](/source/Neith), [Isis](/source/Isis), and [Nephthys](/source/Nephthys).[4] This role also coined her the title of 'Mistress of the beautiful house,' referring to the embalming pavilion.[5]

Eventually, Serket began to be identified with [Isis](/source/Isis), sharing imagery and parentage, until finally, Serket was said to be merely an aspect of Isis, whose cult had become dominant.

Part of a series on Ancient Egyptian religion Beliefs Afterlife Creation myths Isfet Maat Maa Kheru Mythology Numerology Osiris myth Philosophy Soul Practices Canopic jars Embalming ritual Funerals Mortuary temples Offering formula Opening of the mouth Pyramids Temples Veneration of the dead Deities (list) Ogdoad Amun and Amunet Heh and Hauhet Kek and Kauket Nun and Naunet Ennead Atum Geb Isis Nephthys Nut Osiris Set Shu Tefnut Triads Theban Triad Elephantine Triad A Aati Abaset Abtu Ahmose-Nefertari Aker Akhty Amenhotep, son of Hapu Amesemi Am-heh Ammit Amu-Aa Anat Andjety Anput Anubis Anuket Apedemak Apesh Apis Apophis Aqen Arensnuphis Ash Assessors of Maat Astarte Aten B Baal Baalat Gebal Babi Banebdjedet Ba-Pef Bastet Bat Bata Bennu Bes Beset Buchis C Cavern deities of the underworld Celestial Ferryman D Dedun Dionysus-Osiris Duamutef Duau G Gate deities of the underworld Gengen-Wer H Ha Hapi Hapy Harmachis Harpocrates Harsomtus Hathor Hatmehit Hauron Hedetet Hedjhotep Heka Hemen Hemsut Henet Henkhisesui Heqaib Heqet Hermanubis Hermes Trismegistus Heru-ur Heryshaf Hery-maat Hesat Horus Hu Hutchai I Iabet Iah Iat Igai Ihy Ikhemu-sek Imentet Imhotep Imsety Ipy Irer Ishtar Iunit Iunmutef Iusaaset J Jupiter Ammon K Kebechet Khensit Khenti-Amentiu Khenti-kheti Khepri Khereduankh Kherty Khnum Khonsu Kneph Kolanthes Kothar-wa-Khasis M Maahes Maat Mafdet Mandulis Medjed Mehen Mehet-Weret Mehit Menhit Meret Meretseger Meskhenet Min Mnevis Montu Mut N Nebethetepet Nebnerou Nebtuwi Nefertem Nehebkau Nehmetawy Neith Nekhbet Nemty Neper Nepit O Onuris P Pakhet Panebtawy Perit Petbe Peteese Pihor Ptah Ptah-Patek Q Qebehsenuef Qebui Qed-her Qetesh R Ra Raet-Tawy Rekhyt Rem Renenutet Renpet Renpetneferet Repyt Resheph Ruty S Sah Satis Sebiumeker Sedjem Sekhmet Sepa Serapis Serket Seshat Shai Shed Shehbui Shemanefer Shepsy Shesmetet Shezmu Sia Sobek Sokar Sopdet Sopdu Souls of Pe and Nekhen T Ta-Bitjet Tatenen Taweret Tayt Teka-her Thoth Tjenenyet Tutu U Unut W Wadjet Wadj-wer Weneg Wepset Wepwawet Werethekau Wosret Y Yam Creatures Aani Akhekh Apshait Criosphinx Griffin Hieracosphinx Medjed Serpopard Set animal Sphinx Uraeus Characters Djedi Djadjaemankh Rededjet Ubaoner Locations Aaru Akhet Benben Duat Lake of fire Land of Manu The Indestructibles Symbols and objects Ankh Anra scarab Atef Cartouche Cowroid Corn mummy Crook and flail Crown of justification Deshret Djed Egyptian obelisk Egyptian pool Eye of Horus Eye of Ra Hedjet Hemhem crown Hennu Horus on the Crocodiles Hypocephalus Imiut fetish Khepresh Kneph Menat Modius Nebu Nemes Neshmet Ouroboros Pschent Scarab Seqtet boat Serekh Shen ring Solar barque Tyet Ushabti Vulture crown Was-sceptre Winged sun Writings Amduat Books of Breathing Book of Caverns Book of the Dead Book of the Earth Book of Gates Book of the Heavenly Cow Book of Traversing Eternity Coffin Texts The Contendings of Horus and Seth Enigmatic Book of the Netherworld Festival Songs of Isis and Nephthys Great Hymn to the Aten Litany of the Eye of Horus Litany of Re Pyramid Texts Spell of the Twelve Caves Festivals Beautiful Festival of the Valley Cattle count Coronation of the pharaoh Min festival Mysteries of Osiris Opet Festival Sed festival Related religions Atenism Church of the Most High Goddess Gnosticism Hermeticism Kemetic Orthodoxy Kemetism Kushite religion Mysteries of Isis Temple of Set Thelema Ancient Egypt portal v t e

## Middle Kingdom

During the [Middle Kingdom](/source/Middle_Kingdom_of_Egypt), Egyptian myth says that Serket's help is required in the Underworld where according to the [Book of the Two Ways](https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/4000-year-old-guide-ancient-egyptian-underworld-may-be-oldest-illustrated-book-180973880/) she guards a twist in the pathway.[6] She is also given credit for binding and containing the snake deity, [Apophis](/source/Apep) (or Apep).[7]

## New Kingdom

Serket was thought to be one of the mother goddesses and was given the title, 'Serket the great, the divine mother.' [8] According to history of the Near East, the scorpion was often seen as a symbol of motherhood. As early as the [Old Kingdom](/source/Old_Kingdom_of_Egypt), Serket is said to have nursed the king. In the [New Kingdom](/source/New_Kingdom_of_Egypt) records of the birth of [Amenophis III](/source/Amenhotep_III) (or Amenhotep III) in the [Luxor Temple](/source/Luxor_Temple), and in the mortuary temple of [Hatshepsut](/source/Hatshepsut), Serket is seen with [Neith](/source/Neith) assisting the god [Amun](/source/Amun) and the queen in the marriage bed.[8] She has also appeared with [Nephthys](/source/Nephthys) in the myth of the birth of [Horus](/source/Horus) where the two goddesses assisted [Isis](/source/Isis) in protecting the infant god from the bites or stings of deadly animals. In the same myth, Isis and her unborn child are protected by seven scorpions said to be emanations of Serket.[8]

## Dedications and rituals

The cult of Serket is known to have existed from at least the First Dynasty, and is attested on a funerary stela from [Saqqara](/source/Saqqara).[9] The majority of her worship was seen during the [Old Kingdom](/source/Old_Kingdom_of_Egypt). She is not known to have had any temples erected in her honor, yet she was an important goddess to the kings of the [Predynastic Period](/source/Prehistoric_Egypt), particularly [Scorpion I](/source/Scorpion_I) and [Scorpion II](/source/Scorpion_II), for her protection against the deadly, venomous animals of Lower Egypt.

In January 2025, a group of French-Swiss [archaeologists](/source/Archaeology) discovered the tomb of the chief palace physician in [Saqqara](/source/Saqqara), named Tetinebefou. In his temple there is reference to the goddess Serket in that Tetinebefou was said to be the 'director of medicinal plants and conjurer of the goddess Serket.'[10] Aside from this discovery, and although Serket is said to have powers that can be utilized by the living for healing venomous bites, she is rarely included in spells concerning scorpion stings.

## Family

Little is known of her genealogy, but she is sometimes credited as the daughter of [Neith](/source/Neith) and [Khnum](/source/Khnum), making her a sister to [Sobek](/source/Sobek) and [Apep](/source/Apep).[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

Some myths depict her as the mother of [Nehebu-Kau](/source/Nehebkau).

## Gallery

		- [Late Period](/source/Late_Period_of_Egypt) bronze figure of Isis-Serket

		- Serket and her scorpion, [Edfu Temple](/source/Edfu_Temple)

		- Serket as seen in the [Tomb of Nefertari](/source/Tomb_of_Nefertari)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Zauzich, Karl-Theodor (1992). *[Hieroglyphs Without Mystery](/source/Hieroglyphs_Without_Mystery)*. Austin: University of Texas Press. p. 69.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** ["Pharaonic Gods"](https://web.archive.org/web/20080513191152/http://www.egyptianmuseum.gov.eg/selket.html). 2008-05-13. Archived from [the original](http://www.egyptianmuseum.gov.eg/selket.html) on 13 May 2008. Retrieved 2025-03-14.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-:03_3-0)** elgamelyan. [*Routledge Dictionary Of Egyptian Gods And Goddesses*](https://archive.org/details/RoutledgeDictionaryOfEgyptianGodsAndGoddesses/page/n154/mode/1up).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-:02_4-0)** elgamelyan. [*Routledge Dictionary Of Egyptian Gods And Goddesses*](https://archive.org/details/RoutledgeDictionaryOfEgyptianGodsAndGoddesses/page/n154/mode/1up).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-:13_5-0)** Wilkinson, Richard H. (2003). [*The Complete Gods And Goddesses Of Ancient Egypt*](https://archive.org/details/TheCompleteGodsAndGoddessesOfAncientEgypt/The%20Complete%20Gods%20and%20Goddesses%20of%20Ancient%20Egypt/page/n233/mode/2up). Thames & Hudson. [ISBN](/source/ISBN_(identifier)) [0-500-05120-8](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:BookSources/0-500-05120-8).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Wu, Katherine J. ["4,000-Year-Old Guide to the Ancient Egyptian Underworld May Be Oldest Illustrated 'Book'"](https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/4000-year-old-guide-ancient-egyptian-underworld-may-be-oldest-illustrated-book-180973880/). *Smithsonian Magazine*. Retrieved 2025-03-15.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-:0_7-0)** elgamelyan. [*Routledge Dictionary Of Egyptian Gods And Goddesses*](https://archive.org/details/RoutledgeDictionaryOfEgyptianGodsAndGoddesses/page/n154/mode/1up).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:12_8-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:12_8-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-:12_8-2) [Wilkinson 2003](#CITEREFWilkinson2003), p. [233](https://archive.org/details/TheCompleteGodsAndGoddessesOfAncientEgypt/The%20Complete%20Gods%20and%20Goddesses%20of%20Ancient%20Egypt/page/n233/mode/2up)

1. **[^](#cite_ref-FOOTNOTEWilkinson2003235_9-0)** [Wilkinson 2003](#CITEREFWilkinson2003), p. 235.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-10)** Anderson, Sonja. ["Archaeologists Discover Intricately Decorated Tomb Belonging to a Doctor Who Treated Egyptian Pharaohs 4,100 Years Ago"](https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/archaeologists-discover-intricately-decorated-tomb-belonging-to-a-doctor-who-treated-egyptian-pharaohs-4100-years-ago-180985788/). *Smithsonian Magazine*. Retrieved 2025-03-15.

## Further reading

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Serket](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Serket).

- von Känel, Frédérique (1984). *Les prêtres-ouâb de Sekhmet et les conjurateurs de Serket* (in French). Presses Universitaires de France.

v t e Ancient Egyptian religion Beliefs Afterlife Creation myths Isfet Maa Kheru Maat Mythology Numerology Osiris myth Philosophy Soul Practices Canopic jars Embalming ritual Funerals Mortuary temples Offering formula Opening of the mouth Pyramids Temples Veneration of the dead Deities (list) Ogdoad Amun and Amunet Heh and Hauhet Kek and Kauket Nun and Naunet Ennead Atum Geb Isis Nephthys Nut Osiris Set Shu Tefnut Triads Elephantine Triad Theban Triad A Aati Abaset Abtu Ahmose-Nefertari Aker Akhty Amenhotep, son of Hapu Amesemi Am-heh Ammit Amu-Aa Anat Andjety Anput Anubis Anuket Apedemak Apesh Apis Apophis Aqen Arensnuphis Ash Assessors of Maat Astarte Aten B Baal Baalat Gebal Babi Banebdjedet Ba-Pef Bastet Bat Bata Bennu Bes Beset Buchis C Cavern deities of the underworld Celestial Ferryman D Dedun Dionysus-Osiris Duamutef Duau G Gate deities of the underworld Gengen-Wer H Ha Hapi Hapy Harmachis Harpocrates Harsomtus Hathor Hatmehit Hauron Hedetet Hedjhotep Heka Hemen Hemsut Henet Henkhisesui Heqaib Heqet Hermanubis Hermes Trismegistus Heru-ur Heryshaf Hery-maat Hesat Horus Hu Hutchai I Iabet Iah Iat Igai Ihy Ikhemu-sek Imentet Imhotep Imsety Ipy Irer Ishtar Iunit Iunmutef Iusaaset J Jupiter Ammon K Kebechet Khensit Khenti-Amentiu Khenti-kheti Khepri Khereduankh Kherty Khnum Khonsu Kneph Kolanthes Kothar-wa-Khasis M Maahes Maat Mafdet Mandulis Medjed Mehen Mehet-Weret Mehit Menhit Meret Meretseger Meskhenet Min Mnevis Montu Mut N Nebethetepet Nebtuwi Nebnerou Nefertem Nehebkau Nehmetawy Neith Nekhbet Nemty Neper Nepit O Onuris P Pakhet Panebtawy Perit Petbe Peteese Pihor Ptah Ptah-Patek Q Qebehsenuef Qebui Qed-her Qetesh R Ra Raet-Tawy Rekhyt Rem Renenutet Renpet Renpetneferet Repyt Resheph Ruty S Sah Satis Sebiumeker Sedjem Sekhmet Sepa Serapis Serket Seshat Shai Shed Shehbui Shemanefer Shepsy Shesmetet Shezmu Sia Sobek Sokar Sopdet Sopdu Souls of Pe and Nekhen T Ta-Bitjet Tatenen Taweret Tayt Teka-her Thoth Tjenenyet Tutu U Unut W Wadjet Wadj-wer Weneg Wepset Wepwawet Werethekau Wosret Y Yam Creatures Aani Akhekh Apshait Criosphinx Griffin Hieracosphinx Medjed Serpopard Sha Sphinx Uraeus Characters Djadjaemankh Djedi Rededjet Ubaoner Locations Aaru Akhet Benben Duat Lake of fire Land of Manu The Indestructibles Symbols and objects Ankh Anra scarab Atef Cartouche Corn mummy Cowroid Crook and flail Crown of justification Deshret Djed Egyptian obelisk Egyptian pool Eye of Horus Eye of Ra Hedjet Hemhem crown Hennu Horus on the Crocodiles Hypocephalus Imiut fetish Khepresh Kneph Menat Modius Nebu Nemes Neshmet Ouroboros Pschent Scarab Serekh Shen ring Solar barque Tyet Ushabti Vulture crown Was-sceptre Winged sun Writings Amduat Books of Breathing Book of Caverns Book of the Dead Book of the Earth Book of Gates Book of the Heavenly Cow Book of Traversing Eternity Coffin Texts Enigmatic Book of the Netherworld Festival Songs of Isis and Nephthys Great Hymn to the Aten Litany of the Eye of Horus Litany of Re Pyramid Texts Spell of the Twelve Caves The Contendings of Horus and Seth Festivals Beautiful Festival of the Valley Cattle count Coronation of the pharaoh Min festival Mysteries of Osiris Opet Festival Sed festival Related religions Atenism Church of the Most High Goddess Gnosticism Hermeticism Kemetic Orthodoxy Kemetism Kushite religion Mysteries of Isis Temple of Set Thelema Ancient Egypt portal

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