Serket

Serket (also rendered as Serqet, Selkis, or Selket) is the ancient Egyptian goddess of protection against venomous stings and bites, particularly those of scorpions. Her name derives from the Egyptian word srqt, which likely means "she who lets throats breathe", from srq meaning "to open the windpipe, to breathe" and a feminine t suffix. This etymology reflects her role as a healer who could counteract the effects of poisons, especially those causing respiratory distress.

In Egyptian mythology, Serket was primarily worshiped in Lower Egypt during the Predynastic Period (c. 6000–c. 3150 BCE). She is often depicted as a woman whose head is surmounted by a scorpion with its tail ready to sting, holding an ankh in one hand and a was-sceptre in the other. As a protector deity, she was also associated with the dead, guarding the canopic jars that contained the intestines and other organs, and was a key figure in spells and amulets intended to ward off venom.

Serket later became identified with Isis, eventually becoming an aspect of her, which highlights her enduring significance in the Egyptian pantheon as a goddess of both protection and healing.

• Meaning: "She who lets throats breathe"
• Origin: Ancient Egyptian (srqt)
• Type: Goddess name
• Usage regions: Egypt