SEKHMET

Sakhmet (Sekhmet, Sechmet, Sekhait, Sekhauit, Skhautet, Sekhem) (the powerful one) In Egyptian mythology, the lion goddess, honored as goddess of war; called Sakhmis by the Greeks. She was the consort of the god Ptah, and together with their son Nefertem they formed the divine triad of gods worshipped at Memphis. Death came into the world when the Eye of Ra was sent down to Sakhmet to punish a rebellious humanity. In Egyptian art Sakhmet is often depicted as a woman with the head of a lioness, which is surmounted by the solar disk encircled by a uraeus. The numerous images of the lioness goddess in hardstone that are often found in museums throughout the world represent Sakhmet and were all originally found in the precinct of the goddess Mut in southern Karnak. It is assumed by scholars that there were two images of Sakhmet for each day of the year to which prayers were addressed to gain her favour.

SOURCE:

Encyclopedia of World Mythology and Legend, Third Edition – Written by Anthony S. Mercatante & James R. Dow– Copyright © 2009 by Anthony S. Mercatante