Menhyt - Slaughteress
A small summary of Her attributes - but please keep in mind that I cannot vouch for how correct these are.
Also known as
Menhit, Menchit, Menchyt
Titles
Eye of Ra
Roles
Goddess of war (rode before the army and cut down the enemies). Sometimes responsible for the Nile flood.
Celebrations
Feast of Menhyt, Feast of Menhyt-Nebtu, Navigation of Menhyt.
Signs & symbols
Lioness, fiery arrows, red crown.
Associations
Colours: blood red, bright red, orange, gold. Scents: patchouli, musk. Gems: garnet, ruby.
Origin
Possibly Nubia.
Cult centers
Esna, Iunyt, Latopolis, Edfu. Possibly also Uto and Hierokonpolis.
Offerings
Raw meat, arrows, strong beverages, spicy food, cool water, arrows, weapons.
Relations to other netjeru
Wife of Khnum along with Nebtu, mother of Heka. Also wife of Anhur, Onuris and/or Montu, possibly also Atum. Sometimes considered to be an aspect of Sekhmet, Hethert, Aset, or Nit. Daughter of Ra. Sometimes assimilated with Nebtu.
Depictions in art
Lioness, sometimes with "three bent pools in her back". Lion-headed woman wearing a red crown.
My personal impressions
Thinking of Menhyt summons a feeling of great strength and enourmous respect in me. I'm a little terrified when I think of Her. She is the unstopable force that cuts down isfet in your path, and leaves you to walk in Her cleared path. When assimilated with Nebtu, goddess of the oasis, She seems gentler, offering shelter and coolness from the scorching sun in the desert. She embodies power and strength, and I feel very humble in Her presence.
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