Nekhbet - The Goddess of Upper Egypt and Childbirth

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Nekhbet is the Goddess of Upper Egypt and Childbirth, and the Protector of the Pharaoh. She was thought to be the wife of Hapi in his Upper Egypt aspect. She was sometimes shown as a vulture with the Hedjet, the White Crown of Upper Egypt. She had a fierce side and was linked to war and combat, protecting the Pharaoh in battle.

All pictures are © Dr. Günther Eichhorn, unless otherwise noted.

Nekhbet - The Goddess of Upper Egypt and Childbirth

Relief of Nekhbet in vulture form in the Karnak Temple in Luxor. (1271k)

Relief of Nekhbet in vulture form with the Hedjet, the White Crown of Upper Egypt, in the Temple of Horus in Edfu. (783k)

Relief of Nekhbet (left, with the Hedjet, the White Crown of Upper Egypt), Wadjet (center, with the Deshret, the Red Crown of Lower Egypt), crowning Pharaoh Ptolemaios XII, and Haroeris (right, holding the Was scepter) in the Temple of Kom Ombo. (885k)

Relief of Nekhbet in vulture form with the Hedjet, the White Crown of Upper Egypt (right), and Horus (left, with lion's body and the double crown), in the Temple of Kom Ombo. (800k)

On the upper tier, relief of Nekhbet in vulture form with the Hedjet, the White Crown of Upper Egypt (right), Renenutet (winged cobra with the Deshret, the Red Crown of Lower Egypt), and Horus (left, with lion's body and the double crown), in the Temple of Kom Ombo. (720k)

Relief of Nekhbet in vulture form (left) with the Atef, Osiris' crown, and Horus (right, with lion's body and the Pshent, the Double Crown), in the Temple of Kom Ombo. (898k)