Egyptian Gods

Nephthys was a protective Goddess of the Dead in ancient Egyptian Gods history. The name Nephthys also spelled as Nebet-het, Nebt-het or Nebhet, whose name means “Lady of the House” was referring to the part of the sky where Horus lived. Sometimes, also referred as “Lady of the Mansion”, “Mistress of The House” or “Head of the House”

Nephthys appearance portrayed as a woman wearing long dress with her Hieroglyphs (a basket) on her head and holds scepter and ankh on the hand. As the personification of death Nephthys was often symbolized by a hawk, falcon or a woman with wings outstretched in protection. Sometimes, she was depicted riding in the funeral boat companion to assisting the dead through the different levels of the afterlife.

Nephthys is the daughter of Geb, the God of Earth and Nut the Goddess of Sky. She is the sister of Osiris and Isis, the sister and wife of Set and the mother of Anubis. According to the myth, Nephthys conceived no children with her husband Set. It was said that, she conceives Anubis from union with Osiris by disguised herself as her sister Isis or by intoxicating him. It was Nephthys’ affair with Osiris which enraged Set and was one of his motives for murdering Osiris.

She helped her sister, Isis with the resurrection of Osiris by collecting the scattered limbs after Set cut him into pieces. She also abandoned Set after he killed Osiris. Nephtys appears as the opposite of Isis but linked to Isis and at the same time they are confidant. She was the loyal friend and sister to Isis.

Nephthys was also the protector of Hapy, one of the Four Sons of Horus, as he guarded over the lungs of the deceased. She was also given the title “Friend of the Dead”. She was widely worshipped all over Egypt but there was no formal cult center built for her.