Hatmehit


Hatmehit or Hatmehyt in ancient Egyptian religion was a fish goddess in the area around the delta city of Per-banebdjedet. In ancient Egyptian art, Hatmehit was depicted either as a fish or a woman with a fish emblem or crown on her head. She was a goddess of life and protection.

Name

Her name translates as "foremost of fish" or "chief of fish". She may have some connection to Hathor, one of the oldest deities of Egypt who also went by the name Mehet-Weret, meaning "great flood". This may possibly be due to being seen as a remnant of the primal waters of creation from which all things arose. Other goddesses associated with the primal waters of creation are Mut and Naunet.|alt=|197x197pxThe god Banebdjedet was considered Hatmehit's consort.