The Hippo Goddess
The Hippo Goddess
Associated: Divine Protection, Motherhood, Nurturing
Sacred Element: Water
Culture: Egyptian/Kemetic
Representations: Tawaret, Ipet, Behoth
The female hippopotamus was respected as a fierce protector of her young and the embodiment of the life-giving power of water
Several hippopotamus galaxies are known such as Ipet, Reret an Taweret but these are probably aspects of the same goddess.
This goddess could also manifest herself in dual or group forms. As Taweret the great one she was usually shown with a combination of hippopotamus lion crocodile and human features.
This monstrous form was a popular type of amulet for 2000 years and passed into other cultures as a protective genie.
The Egyptian saw hippopotami as water pigs rather than water horses so Reret sow. This provides a link to the Sky goddess Nut who also had a sow form.
All manifestations of the hippopotamus goddess were associated with the watery region of the Sky, the earth, and the underworld. She was sometimes equated with Hathor Mehet-Weret the cow goddess who represented the fertile aspect of the primeval waters.
In the secret crypts of the temple of Ipet at Karnak the hippopotamus goddess was said to give birth to a solar form of Osiris who rose again as Amun- RA.
In the pyramid text the reborn King is nourished by the sweet milk of iPet.
In the new Kingdom Taweret who was called mistress of pure water purified revived and nourished the dead. And was synonymous with the annual flooding of the Nile.
There is a course a dark side to the hippopotamus goddess and one aspect or representation speaks of a hippopotamus goddess who devoured the souls of those who fell the judgment of Osiris she was a mix of hippopotamus lion and crocodile.
Biblical notations indicate that the Behemoth was a great Hippo.
Hippopotamus constellation shown in Egyptian Sky map Taweret and other deities eternally stand over Set’s bull form keeping him in check.
