Most of this course has been about temples, kings and tombs. But as Many Gods, Many Forms showed, Egypt had gods for every need, and some of the most loved belonged to the home.
Key idea
At home, people turned to protectors like Bes and Taweret, especially for childbirth and children.
| God | Looks | Protects |
|---|---|---|
| Bes | a dwarf with a lion-like face, often sticking out his tongue, with a feathered crown | homes, mothers, children and sleep |
| Taweret | a standing hippopotamus with a lion’s paws and a crocodile’s tail | women in childbirth |
| Hathor | a cow or a woman with cow horns | love, music, women and children |
Why it works
Childbirth and early childhood were the most dangerous times of life, and families wanted every protection they could get. Bes and Taweret were fierce on purpose: their frightening faces looked outward at whatever might threaten the family. That is why Bes appears on beds, headrests, mirrors and cosmetic jars, the objects near a person in the most unguarded moments, and why Taweret amulets were worn by women expecting a child.
Religion at home
- Houses at the workmen’s village of Deir el-Medina had wall niches and small shrines for images of gods and of honored ancestors.
- In the Middle Kingdom, curved wands of hippopotamus ivory carved with protective creatures were used to guard mothers and babies.
- Families kept amulets, small statues and painted images of the gods they relied on most.
Worked example: Who is it?
A wooden headrest is carved with a dwarf-like god with a lion’s face and his tongue out. Who is he, and why is he there?
- A dwarf with a lion-like face is Bes.
- He protected sleepers from harm in the night.
- So he appears on a headrest.
Answer: Bes, guarding the sleeper.
Worked example: Choosing a protector
A woman expecting a child wanted a protective amulet. Which goddess would she most likely choose?
- Taweret, the hippopotamus goddess, protected women in childbirth.
- Her amulets were common.
Answer: Taweret.
Common mistake
Thinking only temple gods mattered. Daily life had its own gods, and ordinary people relied on them. Quick check: look at what is carved on everyday objects like beds and mirrors.