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Seshat

File:Seshat_edit2.svg · Wikimedia Commons · See Wikimedia Commons

EntityQ478490· pop 43· linked from 322 articles

Also known as Sechat

Seshat (, under various spellings) was the ancient Egyptian goddess of writing, wisdom, and knowledge. She was seen as a scribe and record keeper. She was also credited with inventing writing. She became identified as the goddess of measurement, accounting, architecture, science, astronomy, mathematics, geometry, history and surveying. She was variously depicted as the wife, daughter, or feminine counterpart of Thoth, who was also associated with knowledge, astronomy, measurement, and writing.''''''

Key facts

Deity.type
Egyptian
Deity.name
Seshat
Deity.image
Seshat edit2.svg
Deity.caption
Seshat, depicted in a leopard skin with her emblem above her head, inscribing the years of reign for the king on a palm-leaf rib (hieroglyph for "year").
Deity.hiero
R20-t-B1
Deity.symbol
Leopard skin, tablet, star, Cannabis flower, stylus
Deity.parents
Thoth and Maat
Deity.consort
Thoth

via Wikipedia infobox

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Seshat edit2.svg
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Seshat
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Seshat
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~11 min read

Article

12 sections
Contents
  • History
  • Iconography
  • Roles
  • "Stretching the Cord" Ritual
  • Sed Festival
  • Worship
  • Emblem
  • Gallery
  • See also
  • Notes
  • References
  • Further reading

Seshat (, under various spellings) was the ancient Egyptian goddess of writing, wisdom, and knowledge. She was seen as a scribe and record keeper. She was also credited with inventing writing. She became identified as the goddess of measurement, accounting, architecture, science, astronomy, mathematics, geometry, history and surveying. She was variously depicted as the wife, daughter, or feminine counterpart of Thoth, who was also associated with knowledge, astronomy, measurement, and writing.'

==History== Seshat is attested from at least the First Dynasty. Her priests and image are referenced in the Royal Annals of the Old Kingdom, during the reign of Den. She was depicted in image as early as the Second Dynasty, where she was shown conducting the "stretching the cord" ritual with Khasekhemwy. The antiquity of her symbols, such as the notched palm stick that predated writing, suggests that she may have originated earlier than the First Dynasty. In addition, examples of her emblem, or symbols that appear related, have been found dating from the 3rd millennium BC Protodynastic Period.

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