Egyptian Gods

Mafdet is one of the ancient Egyptian Goddess of Justice and Judgment since the first dynasty. The name Mafdet also spelled as Maftet or Mefdet, whose name means (she who) runs swiftly, which also called her as “the runner”. She was seen as the protector of the king’s chambers and the protector of venomous animals such as scorpion and snake.

Her appearance portrayed as woman with the head of cheetah or cheetah headed woman with braided hair which ending in scorpion tails. Sometime, she wear snakes headdress. Often she was shown as a cat, a leopard or a mongoose.

Since, Mafdet was shown defeated the snakes and scorpions with her sharp claws, therefore it were likened to the barbs of the king’s harpoon, which he used to protect himself with against his enemies in the Underworld. She was seen as ruling over the judgment hall in Duat.

Mafdet was also known as the manhunter. She was given the title slayer of serpents and prayed to for protection against scorpion stings and snakebite, and invoked in healing rituals for those who had been afflicted by such poisoned animals.

Mafdet was believed to be the first cat deity but was eventually replaced by Bastet, another cat goddess, who was the pharaoh’s protector as a warrior lioness. However, some or the pharaohs personal item and the bed upon which mummies were placed still associated with Mafdet images.