Meskhenet

In this article we will delve into the fascinating world of Meskhenet, exploring its many facets, investigating its origins and analyzing its impact on today's society. For centuries, Meskhenet has been the object of admiration, study and debate, and its influence extends to fields as diverse as science, culture, politics and entertainment. Through this comprehensive analysis, we will unravel the myths and realities surrounding Meskhenet, and offer a fresh perspective on a topic that continues to capture our interest and wonder. Prepare for an exciting journey through the history and meaning of Meskhenet, and discover why it continues to be relevant in the contemporary world.

Meskhenet
Meskhenet as a woman with a symbolic cow's uterus (Peseshkef) on her head
SymbolCow's uterus

In ancient Egyptian mythology, Meskhenet, (also spelt Mesenet, Meskhent, and Meshkent) was the goddess of childbirth, and the creator of each child's Ka, a part of their soul, which she breathed into them at the moment of birth. She was worshipped from the earliest of times by Egyptians.

In mythology

Part of a series on
Ancient Egyptian religion
Eye of Horus
Beliefs
Practices
Deities (list)
Ogdoad
Ennead
Triads
A

B

C

D

G

H

I

J

K

M

N

P

Q

R

S

T

U

W

Y

Creatures
Characters
Locations
Symbols and objects
Writings
Festivals
Related religions
Ancient Egypt portal

In ancient Egypt, women delivered babies while squatting on a pair of bricks, known as "birth bricks", and Meskhenet was the goddess associated with this form of delivery.[1][2] Consequently, in art, she was sometimes depicted as a brick with a woman's head, wearing a cow's uterus upon it.[3] At other times she was depicted as a woman with a symbolic cow's uterus on her headdress.[3]

Since she was responsible for creating the Ka, she was associated with fate.[citation needed] Thus later she was sometimes said to be paired with Shai, who became a god of destiny after the deity evolved out of an abstract concept.[3]

Meskhenet features prominently in the last of the folktales in the Westcar Papyrus.[2] The story tells of the birth of Userkaf, Sahure, and Neferirkare Kakai, the first three kings of the Fifth Dynasty, who in the story are said to be triplets.[2] Just after each child is born, Meskhenet appears and prophesies that he will become king of Egypt.[2][4]

  • Meskhenet depicted as a birth brick
    Meskhenet depicted as a birth brick
  • Meskhenet depicted as a birth brick in Weighing of the Heart in the Papyrus of Ani
    Meskhenet depicted as a birth brick in Weighing of the Heart in the Papyrus of Ani
  • Meskhenet depicted as a birth brick in a Weighing of the Heart scene painted on a coffin
    Meskhenet depicted as a birth brick in a Weighing of the Heart scene painted on a coffin
  • Meskhenet as a birth brick depicted above the scales in a Weighing of the Heart scene in Ptolemaic temple at Deir el-Medina
    Meskhenet as a birth brick depicted above the scales in a Weighing of the Heart scene in Ptolemaic temple at Deir el-Medina

See also

References

  1. ^ Nifosi, Ada (2019). Becoming a woman and mother in Greco-Roman Egypt: women's bodies, society and domestic space. Medicine and the body in antiquity. London New York: Routledge. p. 51. ISBN 978-0-367-73182-3.
  2. ^ a b c d Spieser, Cathie (2011-12-15). "Meskhenet et les sept Hathors en Egypte ancienne". Études de lettres (3–4): 63–92. doi:10.4000/edl.141. ISSN 0014-2026.
  3. ^ a b c Wilkinson, Richard H. (2003). The complete gods and goddesses of ancient Egypt. London: Thames & Hudson. pp. 152–153. ISBN 0-500-05120-8.
  4. ^ Lichtheim, Miriam (2006). Ancient Egyptian Literature, Volume I: The Old and Middle Kingdoms. Berkeley: University of California Press. pp. 220–222. ISBN 978-0-520-24842-7.
  • Media related to Meskhenet at Wikimedia Commons