Serqet

Meaning & Etymology

She who causes the throat to tighten

She who causes the throat to tighten

Etymology

The name Serqet derives from the Ancient Egyptian verb srq, meaning ‘to cause to tighten’ or ‘to constrict’, combined with the feminine suffix -et.

Linguistic family: Afro-Asiatic > Egyptian

Cultural context

Serqet was an important deity in Ancient Egyptian mythology, often depicted as a scorpion or a woman with a scorpion on her head. She was the goddess of healing stings and bites, as well as a protector of the dead and a guardian of one of the canopic jars.

Symbolism

The name symbolises protection and healing, reflecting the goddess’s role in safeguarding against venomous creatures and aiding in recovery from their stings or bites.