The primary Egyptian gods of childbirth were Taweret, the protective hippopotamus goddess, and Meskhenet, who presided over the birthing stool and the newborn’s fate. They were supported by a network of deities including Heket, Bes, Isis, and Hathor, each with distinct roles in protecting mothers and infants.
Who Were the Main Childbirth Deities?
Ancient Egyptian religion did not have a single “goddess of childbirth” but rather a group of deities who oversaw different aspects of pregnancy, labor, and infancy. The most prominent were:
- Taweret – A hippopotamus goddess with lion paws and a crocodile back, she was the chief protective deity for pregnant women and newborns. Her image appeared on amulets, birthing bricks, and household items.
- Meskhenet – A goddess associated with the birthing stool or bricks, she was present at the moment of delivery and also determined the child’s destiny, similar to the Greek Fates.
- Heket – A frog goddess who assisted at birth and was linked to the final stages of labor. She was often called “the midwife of the gods.”
- Bes – A dwarf god with a lion’s mane, he protected mothers and children from evil spirits and dangerous animals. His image was common in birth rooms and on amulets.
- Isis – The great mother goddess, she was invoked during childbirth and was the model for divine motherhood. Her magic was used in spells to ease labor.
- Hathor – A cow goddess who represented fertility and motherhood. She was also the patron of women in general and was invoked for safe deliveries.
What Was Taweret’s Role Exactly?
Taweret (also spelled Tauret or Toeris) was the most visible childbirth deity. Her name means “the great one” or “she who is great.” She was depicted as a pregnant hippopotamus standing upright, with the paws of a lion and the back of a crocodile. This fearsome appearance was intentional: it warded off evil spirits that might harm the mother or child. Taweret was not a state god with a major temple, but she was a household deity, worshipped in homes and small shrines. Her amulets were worn by pregnant women and placed on the abdomen during labor. She was also associated with the constellation we now call Draco, which the Egyptians saw as her protective form.
How Did Meskhenet Determine Destiny?
Meskhenet was unique because she combined the roles of midwife and fate-giver. She was often depicted as a brick with a woman’s head, or as a woman wearing a cowrie-shell girdle, which was a symbol of fertility. In the Westcar Papyrus, she appears at the birth of the first three kings of the 5th Dynasty, pronouncing their future kingship. Her presence at the birthing stool meant that she was the first to see the child and could decree its life path. This belief made her an important figure in personal religion, as people sought her favor for good destinies.
What Was the Role of Heket and Bes?
Heket, the frog goddess, was invoked during the final stages of labor. Frogs were symbols of life and renewal because they appeared after the Nile’s annual flood. Heket was also associated with the creation myth, where she breathed life into the newly formed bodies of humans on the potter’s wheel. Bes was the protector of the household, especially of women and children. His image was carved on beds, headrests, and mirrors, and his amulets were common. Unlike most Egyptian deities, Bes was shown front-facing, with a fierce expression and a protruding tongue, to frighten away demons. He was also linked to music and dance, which were used to distract evil forces during childbirth.
How Were These Gods Worshipped?
Worship of childbirth deities was largely domestic. There were no grand temples for Taweret or Bes, but small shrines and household altars were common. Pregnant women wore amulets, and special rituals were performed in the birth room. The birth brick (or birthing stool) was a sacred object, often decorated with images of Taweret, Meskhenet, and other protective deities. Women squatted on these bricks during labor, and the bricks were believed to channel the power of the gods. After birth, the placenta was sometimes buried under the threshold of the house, with prayers to the gods for the child’s future health.
What About Isis and Hathor?
Isis was the archetypal mother, and her myths were central to childbirth magic. In the Pyramid Texts, she is called “the great magic” and was believed to protect infants from illness and harm. Her name was invoked in spells to ease labor, and her image was carved on birthing amulets. Hathor, the cow goddess, was also a mother figure and was associated with the sky, fertility, and love. She was worshipped at Dendera and was called “Mistress of the West,” welcoming the dead into the afterlife. For childbirth, she was invoked for her nurturing qualities and her connection to the Milky Way, which the Egyptians saw as her milk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was the main Egyptian goddess of childbirth?
The main goddess was Taweret, the hippopotamus goddess, who was the primary protective deity for pregnant women and newborns. She was not a creator goddess but a guardian who warded off evil.
Did Egyptians have midwives?
Yes, midwives were common, but they were not professional priests. They were experienced women who assisted during labor. They used magical spells and amulets alongside practical techniques, and they often invoked Heket and Meskhenet.
What is a birth brick?
A birth brick was a rectangular or curved brick used as a birthing stool. Women squatted on it during delivery. The brick was considered sacred and was often decorated with images of Taweret or Meskhenet. After birth, it was sometimes kept as a protective charm.
Were these gods still worshipped later?
Taweret and Bes became popular household deities throughout Egyptian history, even into the Greco-Roman period. Their images were found in homes and on everyday objects. However, after the spread of Christianity, their worship faded.
Did men have any role in childbirth?
Men were generally excluded from the birthing room, but the god Bes was male and was a protector of childbirth. He was believed to guard the mother and child from demons, and his image was placed in the birth room.
How did these gods differ from Greek gods of childbirth?
Greek mythology had Eileithyia, a goddess of childbirth, and Artemis, who aided in labor. Unlike the Egyptian gods, the Greek deities were part of a larger pantheon with more defined personalities and myths. Egyptian childbirth gods were more specialized and often had animal forms.
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