Egypt: The Gods of Ancient Egypt - Nekhbet (Nekhebet, Nechbet)

Nekhbet

Patron of: sovereignty of the king.

Appearance: a woman with the head of a vulture.

Description: Originally the patron of Upper Egypt in the early Old Kingdom, she changed over time to be the protector of the king (especially in infancy) and the mother of his divine nature. Nekhbet's vulture is found on the pharaonic crown, along with the uraeus. In her form representing the king's power, she is shown wearing a white crown and carrying the symbols of life and power in her talons.

In the New Kingdom her role expanded to be the protector of all infants as well as being the goddess of childbirth.

Worship: Worshipped throughout Egypt, her cult center was the city of Nekheb.

See also