Nephthys

In Egyptian mythology, Nephthys is a goddess of the underworld, as well as childbirth. Her name means “Mistress of the House.” Some of the titles of Nephthys were “The Revealer,” “Lady of the Palace,” and “Friend of the Dead.”

The goddess of twilight and decay, Nephthys protected coffins and appears in statuary as a guide of the deceased. In funerary literature Nephthys was seen as riding the "Boat of the Night" of the underworld, meeting the deceased king's spirit and accompanying him into "Lightland.” Her hair is metaphorically compared to the strips of cloth which shroud the bodies of the dead. Women were hired to accompany or greet the coffins of the decreased at funerals (professional mourners). These women tore their hair, beat their breasts, covered themselves in dust, and wailed songs for the dead. They were referred to as the “Hawks of Nephthys.” Nephthys was pictured as a mourning woman, a hawk, or as a woman with winged arms outstretched in protection. She was depicted crowned by the hieroglyphic of her name, a basket (neb), placed on the sign for a palace (het). In ancient Egypt, the oldest female in the house was given the honorary title of “Nephthys.” She was popular even through the Greco-Roman period.

She is a daughter of Nuit and Seb and the wife of Set, with whom she is the mother of Anubis. She is the sister of Isis, with whom she is often depicted.

The Book of the Dead says: “Terrible One, Lady of the Rain-Storm, Destroyer of the Souls of Men, Devourer of the Bodies of Men, Orderer, Producer, and Maker of Slaughter. Lady of Hair, Fire-Lover, Pure One, Devoted One, Lady of the Great House. Her Name is Clother, Hider of Her Creations, Conquerer of Hearts, Swallower of them. Knife Which Cutteth when Its Name is Uttered, Slayer of Those Who Approach Thy Flame.”

Other names

• Nebet-het
• Nebt-het