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Sekhmet Facts & Worksheets

In Egyptian mythology, Sekhmet, often spelled Sakhmet, was a goddess of war and the slayer of Re's foes. Sekhmet was linked to both illness and recovery and medicine.

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In Egyptian mythology, Sekhmet, often spelled Sakhmet, was a goddess of war and the slayer of Re’s foes. Sekhmet was linked to both illness and recovery and medicine. She was typically portrayed as a lioness or a lady with a lioness’ head, on which the solar disk and the uraeus serpent were mounted.

See the fact file below for more information about the Sekhmet, or you can download our 24-page Sekhmet worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

INTRODUCTION

  • The mythological beliefs of the ancient Egyptian culture were based on gods that stood in for various facets of existence. Ancient Egyptians had explanations for birth, life, death, and the afterlife according to the gods and goddesses of Egyptian mythology. 
  • A significant figure in Egyptian mythology is the goddess Sekhmet, whose name means “she who is powerful” and “the One who loves Ma’at.”
  • Ancient Egyptians frequently depicted Sekhmet as a goddess with beneficent and destructive abilities in amulets, sculptures, and hieroglyphs. Sekhmet had the power to heal and kill, depending on the circumstances of her worship. 
  • Images of Sekhmet show her in both human and lion forms to emphasize the duality of her personality and abilities. 
  • Sekhmet is frequently depicted with a lion’s head and a woman’s body.
  • The origin stories for the Egyptian goddess Sekhmet vary widely. According to one interpretation, Sekhmet is the progeny of the sky goddess Nut and the soil god Geb. 
  • Most genealogies, however, identify Sekhmet as the offspring of the sun god Ra, who fashioned her from the fire of his eye while observing the Earth. Many statues and amulets include a sun disc over her head, symbolizing her descent from the sun deity Ra’s flame.

ROLE IN MYTHOLOGY

  • Sekhmet is said to have come from the flame of Ra, the sun god, as he looked down upon the Earth in most Egyptian genealogies. 
  • According to Egyptian mythology, Ra created Sekhmet to chastise people who disregarded Ma’at, the goddess of truth, order, justice, balance, and her lessons and laws. 
  • The Egyptian god Sekhmet frequently used plagues as retribution against wayward humanity.
  • Due to these abilities, the pharaohs of ancient Egypt referred to Sekhmet as their protector when they were at war. 
  • As a result, Sekhmet is frequently referred to in Egyptian mythology as a warrior goddess. As signs of their dominance over the ancient Egyptian populace, the pharaohs often constructed statues of Sekhmet.
  • However, images of Sekhmet also show her holding the ankh, a representation of endless life, and a papyrus scepter during times of peace. 
  • This represents Sekhmet’s significance in Egyptian culture’s life-giving elements, such as the annual flooding of the Nile and his capacity to cure the sick. 
  • Sekhmet is also known as the goddess of healing because of these facets of her dual nature. Sekhmet, the Egyptian goddess of healing, is frequently equated with Hathor, the goddess of femininity, fertility, and beauty.
  • Some Egyptian myths mention Sekhmet as playing a significant part during the conclusion of the sun god Ra’s rule over Earth, even though she is frequently depicted alongside Ma’at, the goddess of truth and order.
  • In this tale, Ra creates Sekhmet to annihilate anyone who poses a danger to his authority. Sekhmet engages in combat that almost wipes out all life on Earth. 
  • Ra uses a red beer or wine to entice Sekhmet back at the request of the other Egyptian gods; Sekhmet is fooled into thinking the red liquid is blood, so she falls asleep and regains her calm.

SYMBOLS AND SYMBOLISM OF SEKHMET

  • Some of Sekhmet’s symbols are as follows:
    • Sun disk: This alludes to her connection to Ra and her status as a significant deity endowed with enormous power.
    • Sekhmet is frequently seen wearing red clothing, representing blood and her birthplace, Lower Egypt. 
    • This parallel is appropriate given that Sekhmet is a mythical warrior goddess known for quenching her thirst by consuming reddish beer mistaken for blood.
    • Lioness: Sekhmet has been compared to a lioness because of her ferocity and desire for vengeance. She is generally portrayed as a lioness or a goddess with a lioness’ head because she is naturally a lioness.
    • Sekhmet has recently gained prominence as a feminist and women’s empowerment icon. Because her name means “she who has power,” she gained new meaning outside Egyptian mythology. 
    • Sekhmet, along with other goddesses, stands for the power of women in ancient societies and mythology when men typically played prominent roles.
    • Although Sekhmet was associated with healing and medicine, she was also a ferocious, powerful lioness. Even the mighty Ra was powerless to stop her from attacking her foes. 
    • In a time when women played the duties of spouses and mothers, Sekhmet was a warrior and a representation of authority. 
    • She became a fierce character who still has an impact on society as a result of her wildness and her connections to war.

WORSHIP OF SEKHMET

  • Sekhmet stood in for a powerful divinity that the Egyptian people frequently worshiped since she was both the goddess of war and medicine (or healing) in ancient Egypt. 
  • For instance, at the beginning of the year, ancient Egyptians celebrated her with a feast. Like how the sun god Ra used this drink to stop Sekhmet’s destruction on Earth, participants in this celebration drank red wine or beer to placate Sekhmet’s wrath.
  • Egyptians also utilized the mummified remains of cats to direct their prayers at Sekhmet because she is represented as having the head of a lion. By presenting these mummified cats to Sekhmet’s statues, the Egyptians would implore goddesses for specific gifts, cures, or solutions. 
  • In addition to leaving offerings of food, drink, incense, and artwork for Sekhmet, the ancient Egyptians, she also prayed to her for health benefits. 
  • Egyptians believed Sekhmet had a close relationship with the gods and goddesses of ancient Egyptian mythology since she was Ra’s daughter.
  • Sekhmet’s significance in ancient Egyptian mythology is reflected in the countless statues built in her honor. Several hundred statues of Sekhmet are frequently found in temples solely dedicated to one king. 
  • Although she is consistently depicted as having a lion’s head and a woman’s body in these statues, her attire varies, with some picturing her in red robes and others displaying her naked.

REVERENCE FOR SEKHMET

Luxor’s Temple of Mut

  • The 2006 excavation of the Temple of Mut in Luxor provides additional proof of how Egyptians revered Sekhmet. 
  • Hieroglyphs and murals illustrating the celebration that the Egyptians observed at the beginning of every year have been found by archaeologists. 
  • The attendees of the festival, who frequently numbered in the tens of thousands, are shown being served red wine or beer by priestesses in these pictures. 
  • The revelers thought that excessive use of this drink would make Sekhmet tranquil, as depicted in the stories relating to the sun god Ra, and therefore prevent the Nile from overflowing.
  • Additionally, numerous statues honor Sekhmet at the Temple of Mut. These Sekhmet statues are more numerous than the statues honoring Amenhotep III, the king who oversaw the building of the Temple of Mut. 
  • The countless statues of Sekhmet at the temple are thought to have been a strategy used by the pharaoh to evoke the goddess’ calming and restorative powers rather than her destructive aspect. The size and elaborate quality of the Sekhmet statues in the Temple of Mut reflect the significance of Sekhmet to the ancient Egyptians.

Sekhmet Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Sekhmet across 24 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Sekhmet. Sekhmet was linked to both illness and recovery and medicine. She was typically portrayed as a lioness or a lady with a lioness’ head, on which the solar disk and the uraeus serpent were mounted.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

  1. Sekhmet Facts
  2. Mighty Word Puzzle
  3. Explore Symbols and Attributes
  4. Sekhmet and Her Counterparts
  5. Your Sign’s Connection
  6. Poster Creation
  7. Sekhmet Festival Celebrations
  8. Comic Strip Retelling
  9. Personal Growth Plan
  10. Guided Meditation
  11. Embracing Sekhmet’s Strength

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is Sekhmet?

Sekhmet is a prominent goddess in ancient Egyptian mythology. She is often depicted as a lioness-headed deity and is associated with war, destruction, healing, and the sun. Sekhmet was considered both a protective and a destructive force.

What is the significance of Sekhmet’s lioness form?

Sekhmet’s lioness form represents her dual nature. On one hand, she is a fierce warrior who can bring destruction and chaos. On the other hand, she is a symbol of protection and healing, as her breath was believed to have the power to cure diseases.

What was Sekhmet’s role in Egyptian mythology?

Sekhmet played a significant role as a protector of the pharaohs in battle. She was also invoked for her healing abilities, and temples dedicated to her often served as centers for medical treatment and magical healing practices.

How did Sekhmet relate to the sun god Ra?

Sekhmet was closely associated with the sun god Ra. In some myths, she was considered to be the daughter of Ra, while in others, she was his avenger, sent to punish those who had disobeyed Ra’s orders. This connection underscores her role in the Egyptian pantheon as a solar deity.

Are there any famous temples or artifacts related to Sekhmet?

Yes, one of the most famous temples dedicated to Sekhmet is the Temple of Karnak in Luxor, Egypt. This temple contains numerous statues and depictions of Sekhmet and was an important center for her worship. Many Sekhmet statues and artifacts have been discovered in ancient Egyptian tombs and temples, showcasing her enduring significance in Egyptian culture and religion.

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Link will appear as Sekhmet Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, November 15, 2023

Use With Any Curriculum

These worksheets have been specifically designed for use with any international curriculum. You can use these worksheets as-is, or edit them using Google Slides to make them more specific to your own student ability levels and curriculum standards.

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