Representations of a Goddess Suckling a King in Ancient Egypt

Abstract

Representations of a goddess suckling a king occur in Egyptian art as early as the Old Kingdom, and they continue throughout Egyptian history. They are concerned with an event which was preserved in scenes as well as in statuary. These representations seem to symbolize the nurturing relationship of mother and child. Also, they might symbolize the ruler's rebirth in the Afterlife. This paper will provide an overview of historical literature in ancient Egypt that presents breastfeeding as a constitutive substance of kingship relatedness where it shows royals nursing at the breasts of goddesses conferring upon them divine status and bolstering their royal legitimacy. The paper will start by a general introduction of breastfeeding in ancient Egypt and words in ancient Egyptian language related to suckling and nursing, followed by examples of representations of goddesses suckling a pharaoh in Ancient Egypt arranged in a chronological order. The study aims at analyzing and understanding these representations, identifying the most important goddesses which appeared in this context, it also sheds light upon the religious significance and occasions of these representations.

Scenes of Ramesses II's Celebration of the Sed Festival on the temples walls

“…(Fig. 12) It seems that the ancient Egyptian kings in general appeared while suckling from goddess in three occasions as follow: 20 1 At his birth like the scenes of Amenhotep III at luxor temple and Hatshepsuit at Deir El Bahari temple to legitimate their rule 2 At his coronation and during his celebration with the sed festival, as the sed festival is considered a repetition of the coronation rituals. 21 3 After his death to guarantee his rebirth in the afterlife.…”

“…The ritual of suckling from goddess was important as her milk provided the king with life, youth, protection, and sovereignty, conferring upon him his divine status and assuring his royal legitimacy. 22 https://jaauth.journals.ekb.eg/…”