Sekhmet | |||||
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Greek: Sachmis | |||||
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Period of worship |
Early Dynastic – Roman Period | ||||
Cult center | Leontopolis, Memphis | ||||
Titles | "Eye of Ra" | ||||
Symbol(s) | Sun-disk, red linen, lioness | ||||
Association | Warfare, lionesses, sun, healing | ||||
Appearance | Therianthrope, lioness | ||||
Egyptian equivalent(s) |
Hathor, Bast | ||||
Father | Ra | ||||
Spouse(s) | Ptah | ||||
Issue | Nefertem, Maahes |
Sekhmet is a warrior goddess as well as goddess of healing. She is depicted as a lioness. She was seen as the protector of the pharaohs and led them in warfare. Upon death, Sekhmet continued to protect them, assisting them into the afterlife.
Sekhmet is a solar deity, the daughter of the sun god Ra, and was among the more important of the goddesses who acted as the vengeful manifestation of Ra's power, the Eye of Ra. Sekhmet was often associated with the goddesses Hathor and Bastet. She bears the Uraeus, which associates her with Wadjet and royalty, and the solar disk.