Tag: gods and goddesses

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Egyptian Artifacts

Ammit – The Devourer

Ammit in the Book of the Dead of Imhotep at The MET

Never did I think I would see the day where Ammit 𓂝𓅓𓅓𓏏 was the main villain on a Marvel tv show but here we are! Let’s learn a bit about the Ammit 𓂝𓅓𓅓𓏏 from Egyptian π“†Žπ“π“€€π“ mythology – there are some similarities to the Ammit 𓂝𓅓𓅓𓏏 we saw on Moon Knight! In ancient Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, Ammit 𓂝𓅓𓅓𓏏 was not formally worshipped 𓇼𓄿𓀒 in any formal cult (unlike on Moon Knight) and the Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ saw her as a goddess π“ŠΉπ“ to be feared and overcome!

Ammit 𓂝𓅓𓅓𓏏 was a combination of animals that were most feared by the ancient Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ: she had the head 𓁢𓏺 of a crocodile π“…“π“‹΄π“Ž›π“†Œ, the neck and mane of a lion π“Œ³π“Ήπ“„Ώπ“„›, and the rear of a hippopotamus π“Œ‰π“π“ƒ―! Since she was the combination of both land and marine animals there was no escaping Ammit’s 𓂝𓅓𓅓𓏏 wrath no matter where you went!

Ammit 𓂝𓅓𓅓𓏏 was known as β€œthe devourer” or β€œeater of hearts” and her name π“‚‹π“ˆ– means β€œfemale devourer” or β€œfemale devourer of the dead.” That is in reference to Ammit’s 𓂝𓅓𓅓𓏏 role in the Weighing of the Heart of the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱; if the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 led a life full of bad deeds, Ammit 𓂝𓅓𓅓𓏏 would eat their heart 𓇋𓃀𓄣 when it weighed more than Maat’s π“™π“Œ΄π“‚£π“π“¦ feather. When Ammit 𓂝𓅓𓅓𓏏 eat their heart 𓇋𓃀𓄣, the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 would not be granted access to the Duat 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐 (afterlife).

This image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 of Ammit 𓂝𓅓𓅓𓏏 is from the Book of the Dead of Imhotep (Early Ptolemaic Period) at the MET!

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Egyptian Artifacts

Amulets of Ra-Horakhty, Amun, and Taweret

I love tiny π“ˆ–π“†“π“‹΄π“…© things and amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ are no exception! Here are three 𓏼 beautiful π“„€ faience π“‹£π“ˆ–π“π“Έπ“Ό amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ of Ra-Horakhty π“…Šπ“”π“”π“€, Amun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“€­, and Taweret 𓏏𓄿𓅩𓂋𓏏𓆗!

Ra 𓇳𓏺𓁛 is considered by historians to be Egypt’s most important deity π“ŠΉ. Ra 𓇳𓏺𓁛 is an ancient deity π“ŠΉ who combined with many different solar and cosmic gods throughout Egyptian history. Ra-Horakhty π“…Šπ“”π“”π“€ is the combination of Ra 𓇳𓏺𓁛 and Horus π“…ƒπ“€­. Ra-Horakhty π“…Šπ“”π“”π“€ is the god π“ŠΉ of the morning sun π“…ƒπ“ˆŒπ“π“­π“€­. Images 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓏦 and depictions of Ra-Horakhty π“…Šπ“”π“”π“€ became more prominent during the Late Period.

Amun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“€­ is also considered to be one of the most important gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ in the Egyptian pantheon and was first mentioned in the Pyramid Texts. Amun π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“€­ had many different roles and was worshipped 𓇼𓄿𓀒 as a creator god, solar god, fertility god, warrior god, and king of the gods. Amun’s π“‡‹π“ π“ˆ–π“€­ is also considered the β€œuniversal god” meaning that his power permeated the cosmos and all that the cosmos contained!

While the ancient Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ both feared and revered π“‡‹π“Œ΄π“„ͺ hippos π“Œ‰π“π“ƒ―π“¦ due to their strength and power, Taweret 𓏏𓄿𓅩𓂋𓏏𓆗 was a goddess π“ŠΉπ“ who was a protector π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ of women π“Šƒπ“π“‚‘π“π“π“ͺ and children π“π“‡Œπ“€•π“ͺ! The name π“‚‹π“ˆ– Taweret 𓏏𓄿𓅩𓂋𓏏𓆗 actually means β€œthe great (female) one!” That is certainly a name π“‚‹π“ˆ– that suits her!

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Egyptian Artifacts

The Triad Amulet

I love amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ because I love tiny π“ˆ–π“†“π“‹΄π“…© things!!!

Many gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ in the Egyptian pantheon appeared in groups of threes 𓏼, which were known as Triads. They were groups of gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ that usually had some type of familial 𓅕𓉔𓅱𓏏𓀀𓁐𓏦 relationship/significance to each other. One of the Memphis π“ π“ˆ–π“„€π“†‘π“‚‹π“‰΄π“Š– triads during the Late Period was Ptah π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“±, Sekhmet π“Œ‚π“π“…“π“π“, and Nefertem 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓍃𓀯. Nefertem 𓄀𓆑𓂋𓏏𓍃𓀯 is the son of Ptah π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“± and Sekhmet π“Œ‚π“π“…“π“π“. The amulet π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…† on the left is a representation of this Triad!

The Ossirian Triad (the three 𓏼 amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ to the right) is a representation of Nephthys 𓉠𓏏𓆇 (β€œMistress of the House” and associated with vultures), Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ (god π“ŠΉ of the sky π“Šͺ𓏏𓇯 and the protector of the ruler π“‹Ύ of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–), and Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯ (goddess π“ŠΉπ“ of healing and magic π“Ž›π“‚“π“„Ώπ“œ).

Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯ is the mother 𓅐𓏏𓁐 of Horus π“…ƒπ“€­, the sister π“Œ’π“ˆ–π“ of Nephthys 𓉠𓏏𓆇, and the wife π“ˆŸπ“ of Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­. The amulet π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…† is representative of Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯ and Nephthys 𓉠𓏏𓆇 protecting Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ and that protective power extends to the wearer.

This type amulet π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…† became very popular during the 26th Dynasty, and was usually used by mummies 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾π“ͺ for protection π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ on their journey into the afterlife 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐. The amulet π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…† was either placed on the chest, stomach 𓂋𓄣𓏻, or the thighs of the mummy 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾.

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Egyptian Artifacts

The God Ptah

Ptah from the Book of the Dead of Imhotep (The MET)

This image 𓏏𓅱𓏏 of Ptah π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“± s from the Book of the Dead of Imhotep (Early Ptolemaic Period) at the MET! This particular Book of the Dead is incredible because it is one of the most complete ones I have ever seen! Even though it is only in black π“†Žπ“…“ or red π“‚§π“ˆ™π“‚‹π“…Ÿ ink and not in full color like some other versions, it is still so beautiful π“„€ to look at and I am always mesmerized by the details!

One thing that is very obvious about hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ is that the symbols look like pictures 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓏦! In art from the pre-dynastic and early dynastic periods, sometimes it is difficult to tell where the art ends and the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ begin!

I really liked this drawing of the god π“ŠΉ Ptah π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“± because it looked like the determinative that appears after his name π“‚‹π“ˆ– when it is written in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ!

Here are some of the variations of Ptah’s name π“‚‹π“ˆ–:
π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“±
π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“€­
π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›π“°
π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›

As you can see, the three phonogram symbols β€œ π“Šͺπ“π“Ž›β€ remain the same, it is just the determinative that changes! Once you know the phonogram symbols, his name π“‚‹π“ˆ– is easy to spot because it doesn’t change! I personally love the determinative of Ptah in the shrine (𓁱) – just like what is shown on the papyrus 𓅓𓍑𓏏𓏛!

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Duamutef in Hieroglyphs

Duamutef’s name in Hieroglyphs

𓇼𓅐𓏏𓆑 – Duamutef in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ!

Duamutef 𓇼𓅐𓏏𓆑 was one of the four Sons of Horus and his job was to protect π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ the stomach 𓂋𓄣𓏻 of the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 which is why he is commonly represented on the lid of canopic jars or in funerary art. The function of the canopic jar was to hold the organs 𓇋𓂧𓂋𓄹𓏦 that were removed during the process of mummification. Duamutef 𓇼𓅐𓏏𓆑 is associated with the west π“‹€π“π“π“ˆŠ, and all four Sons of Horus are associated with a cardinal direction.

Let’s take a look at Duamutef’s 𓇼𓅐𓏏𓆑 name π“‚‹π“ˆ– in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! All of the symbols in Duamutef’s 𓇼𓅐𓏏𓆑 name π“‚‹π“ˆ– are phonogram symbols, which means that they represent sounds!

The β€œstar 𓇼” functions as a triliteral phonogram for the sound β€œdw3” (almost like β€œdua”). Triliteral means that the symbol represents three consonants! In other words, it can also function as a determinative or ideogram.

The β€œvulture 𓅐” is a triliteral phonogram and represents the sounds β€œmjt/mwt.” It is also used as a determinative in the word β€œvulture π“ˆ–π“‚‹π“…β€

The β€œflat loaf of bread 𓏏” is a uniliteral phonogram used to represent the sound β€œt.” It also functions as the ideogram for the word β€œbread 𓏏𓏺” and can be used to make words feminine!

The β€œhorned viper 𓆑” functions as a uniliteral phonogram and represents the sound β€œf.” In other words, it can function as a determinative.

So Duamutef’s 𓇼𓅐𓏏𓆑 name π“‚‹π“ˆ– in hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ is something like β€œduamwttf” – which is very similar to β€œDuamutef!” There’s no Greek version of the name here! For example, β€œAnubis” is a Greek name – β€œInpu” is what the ancient Egyptians would have called Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣!

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Egyptian Artifacts

Roman-Egyptian Limestone Stela

(from left) The Pharaoh, Anubis and a Goddess (inferred to be Hathor)

This limestone π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“ˆ™π“Œ‰ stela π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ from the Roman Period is an interesting piece! Let’s take a closer look!

The stela depicts π“Ž—π“…±π“†“π“‰Έ a pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 (left) holding a sistrum π“Šƒπ“ˆ™π“ˆ™π“π“£ and and offering a cloth 𓍱 to Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 (middle) and a goddess π“ŠΉπ“ (right). The pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 is wearing the Atef Crown π“‹š. The Atef Crown π“‹š is usually associated with the god π“ŠΉ Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­.

Right next to the pharaoh’s 𓉐𓉻 head 𓁢𓏺 in the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ you can just see a cartouche which simply says (𓉐𓉻) or pharaoh! The emperor Augustus usually wrote his cartouche as (𓉐𓉻), however many other rulers during this time period did too so we can’t necessarily say for sure that it is Augustus that is depicted!

Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 is shown wearing the double crown π“‹– of both Upper 𓇓 and Lower 𓆀 Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–, which is cool because Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 usually isn’t depicted with a crown on his head 𓁢𓏺 in more traditional Egyptian art. During the Greek and Roman Periods, Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 was regarded as the β€œconquerer of death” and β€œcompanion/escort of the dead” and was very popular! Both Anubis π“‡‹π“ˆ–π“Šͺ𓅱𓃣 and the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ are holding Ankhs π“‹Ήπ“‹Ήπ“‹Ή in their hands.

The name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ isn’t in the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ, however, I think the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ depicted is Hathor 𓉑 because the pharaoh 𓉐𓉻 is holding a sistrum π“Šƒπ“ˆ™π“ˆ™π“π“£, and sistrums π“Šƒπ“ˆ™π“ˆ™π“π“£π“ͺ are associated with Hathor 𓉑. Plus, Hathor 𓉑 was also a popular goddess π“ŠΉπ“ to worship 𓇼𓄿𓀒 during this time period. I’m sure others have their interpretations as well, this is just mine!

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Shu in Hieroglyphs

The name of the god “Shu” in Hieroglyphs from the coffin of Khnumnakht (The MET)

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! Once again, these hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ are from the wooden 𓆱𓏏𓏺 Coffin π“‹΄π“…±π“Ž›π“π“†± of Khnumnakht, an individual who lived during the 12th-13th Dynasties (c. 1850-1750 B.C.E.).

These hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ pictured spell out the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of the god π“ŠΉ β€œShu 𓆄𓅱.” Shu 𓆄𓅱 is the god π“ŠΉ of the atmosphere/air and sunlight. The name π“‚‹π“ˆ– Shu can also mean β€œemptiness.” In this inscription, the determinative symbol is missing; Shu can also be written as β€œπ“†„π“…±π“€­.”

The β€œfeather 𓆄” is a biliteral symbol and is representative of the sound Ε‘w. β€œπ“†„β€ can also function as an ideogram for β€œfeather 𓆄𓏺,” and as a determinative for β€œMaat/Truth π“™π“Œ΄π“‚£π“π“†„.”

The β€œQuail Chick 𓅱” is a super popular symbol! It is a uniliteral symbol that is representative of the sound w/u, and it is also an ideogram for the word β€œchick 𓅱𓏺.”

Here are some other words that are similar to Shu 𓆄𓅱! What is so cool about all of the words is that they all have to do with the atmosphere!
𓆄𓅱𓅨 – Empty
𓆄𓅱𓇳, 𓆄𓅱𓇢 – sun, sunlight
𓆄𓅱𓇳 – be dry

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Reading Hieroglyphs

Nephthys in Hieroglyphs

The name of the goddess “Nephthys” from the coffin of Khnumnakht

Let’s read some hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ! These hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ are from the wooden 𓆱𓏏𓏺 Coffin π“‹΄π“…±π“Ž›π“π“†± of Khnumnakht, an individual who lived during the 12th-13th Dynasties (c. 1850-1750 B.C.E.).

Today, our inscription very simply reads β€œπ“‰ ,” which is the shortened version of the name π“‚‹π“ˆ– of the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Nephthys 𓉠!

This type of symbol that is used in Nephthys’ 𓉠 name π“‚‹π“ˆ– is called a Composite Hieroglyph. A Composite Hieroglyphic symbol is a symbol that is the combination of multiple symbols into a single glyph.

The three 𓏼 symbols β€œπ“ŽŸπ“π“‰—β€ can be combined to make the β€œπ“‰ β€ symbol, which is not only the crown that Nephthys wears 𓉠, but a space saver when writing out hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ!

Nephthys’ 𓉠 title was β€œMistress of the House π“ŽŸπ“π“‰π“Ί.” If you look, even the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ for β€œMistress of the House π“ŽŸπ“π“‰π“Ί,” are very similar to her name (𓉠)! Both 𓉐and 𓉗 are part of the symbols that relate to β€œStructures and their Parts;” I love when it is all connected!

Her name π“‚‹π“ˆ– could also be written as π“ŽŸπ“π“‰—π“π“’π“―π“†— or more commonly as 𓉠𓏏𓆇.

In statuary and funerary art, the crown on her head 𓁢𓏺 is one of the hieroglyphs π“ŠΉπ“Œƒπ“ͺ that is used in her name (𓉠), which makes Nephthys 𓉠𓏏𓆇 very easy to identify in tomb art/funerary art.

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Egyptian Artifacts

Bronze Statue of the God Horus

Bronze Statues of Horus at The MET

These are bronze π“ˆ”π“€π“ˆ’π“¦ statues π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύπ“ͺ of Horus π“…ƒπ“€­, most likely dated to the Late-Ptolemaic Periods.

Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ was one of the earliest Egyptian gods π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ. He was worshipped 𓇼𓄿𓀒 from the beginning of the dynastic period. The Turin Canon (provides information about Egypt’s π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š– earliest rulers π“‹Ύπ“‹Ύπ“‹Ύ) refers to the pharaohs 𓉐𓉻π“₯ as the β€œFollowers of Horus.”

Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ had many roles as a god π“ŠΉ, and these roles evolved and changed throughout Egyptian history. He was originally the Sky π“Šͺ𓏏𓇯 God π“ŠΉ and was referred to as the β€œLord of the Sky.” Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ then evolved to become associated with the sun 𓇳𓏺, and was referred to as the β€œGod of the East.” He was also combined with Ra 𓇳𓏺𓁛, and this is how the deity π“ŠΉ Ra-Horakhty π“…Šπ“”π“”π“€ came to evolve.

Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ was also worshipped as the son π“…­ of Isis π“Š¨π“π“₯ and Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­. The triad/family 𓅕𓉔𓅱𓏏𓀀𓁐𓏦 unit was extremely important to ancient Egyptian religion/culture. Most notably, Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ is usually associated with being the god π“ŠΉ of kingship. As the son π“…­ of Osiris π“Ήπ“Š¨π“€­, Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ was the mythological heir to the throne of Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–.

Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ is usually seen as a human with a falcon π“ƒ€π“‡‹π“Ž‘π“…„ head. On his head 𓁢𓏺 is usually the double crown π“‹– of Upper 𓇓 and Lower 𓆀 Egypt π“†Žπ“…“π“π“Š–. This is how you can differentiate between Horus π“…ƒπ“€­ and other falcon π“ƒ€π“‡‹π“Ž‘π“…„ deities π“ŠΉπ“ŠΉπ“ŠΉ!

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Egyptian Artifacts

The Goddess Taweret

Taweret at The MET (photo by Amanda)

Here is a gorgeous π“„€ (and ADORABLE) faience π“‹£π“ˆ–π“π“Έπ“Ό amulet π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†/statue π“„šπ“ˆ–π“π“­π“€Ύ of the goddess π“ŠΉπ“ Taweret 𓏏𓄿𓅩𓂋𓏏𓆗! More people are now familiar with Taweret 𓏏𓄿𓅩𓂋𓏏𓆗 because of Moon Knight, but let’s dive into some history/information about her because I think she’s an amazing figure in the Egyptian pantheon!

While the ancient Egyptians π“†Žπ“π“€€π“π“ͺ both feared and revered π“‡‹π“Œ΄π“„ͺ hippos π“Œ‰π“π“ƒ―π“¦ due to their strength and power, Taweret 𓏏𓄿𓅩𓂋𓏏𓆗 was a goddess π“ŠΉπ“ who was a protector π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ of women π“Šƒπ“π“‚‘π“π“π“ͺ and children π“π“‡Œπ“€•π“ͺ! The name π“‚‹π“ˆ– Taweret 𓏏𓄿𓅩𓂋𓏏𓆗 actually means β€œthe great (female) one!” That is certainly a name π“‚‹π“ˆ– that suits her!

While many amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ were usually placed on mummies 𓇋𓁹𓅱𓀾π“ͺ to help the deceased 𓅓𓏏𓏱 on their journey to the Duat 𓇼𓄿𓏏𓉐 (afterlife), amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ of Taweret 𓏏𓄿𓅩𓂋𓏏𓆗 were usually found in homes because she was a goddess π“ŠΉπ“ who was essential to family 𓅕𓉔𓅱𓏏𓀀𓁐𓏦 life.

The amulets π“Šπ“Šͺπ“…†π“ͺ of Taweret 𓏏𓄿𓅩𓂋𓏏𓆗 would provide protection π“…“π“‚π“Ž‘π“€œ in the home, especially during childbirth, which was quite deadly for mothers 𓅐𓏏𓁐π“ͺ at the time. For this reason, Taweret 𓏏𓄿𓅩𓂋𓏏𓆗 was usually worshipped in the home instead of in temples π“‰Ÿπ“π“‰π“ͺ!

Taweret 𓏏𓄿𓅩𓂋𓏏𓆗 was a goddess π“ŠΉπ“ who was also associated with the inundation of the Nile River π“‡‹π“π“‚‹π“…±π“ˆ—π“ˆ˜π“ˆ‡π“Ί. Since the Nile River π“‡‹π“π“‚‹π“…±π“ˆ—π“ˆ˜π“ˆ‡π“Ί needed to flood in order for the soil to be fertile enough for crops to grow, and Taweret 𓏏𓄿𓅩𓂋𓏏𓆗 was a goddess π“ŠΉπ“ of fertility, this association is perfect!

Taweret at The MET (photo by Amanda)