Serket

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Serket^[1]
in hieroglyphs

Serket, Egyptian Museum

In Egyptian mythology, Serket (also spelt Serket-hetyt, Selket, Selkis, Serkhet, Selchis, and Selkhit) was originally the deification of the scorpion.

Scorpion stings lead to paralysis, and Serket's name describes this, as it means (one who) tightens the throat. However, Serket's name can also be read as meaning (one who) causes the throat to breathe, and so, as well as being seen as stinging the unrighteous, Serket was seen as one who could cure scorpion stings, and other poisons, such as snake bites.

In art, Serket was shown as a scorpion, or as a woman with a scorpion on her head, and although Serket doesn't appear to have had temples, she had a sizable priesthood. The most dangerous species of scorpion resides in North Africa, and its sting can kill, so Serket was considered a highly important goddess, and was sometimes considered by pharaohs to be their patron. As the protector against poisons, and snake bites, Serket was often said to protect the gods from Apep, the great snake-god of evil, sometimes acting as the guard when Apep was captured.

As many of the venomous creatures of Egypt could prove fatal, Serket was also considered a protector of the dead, particularly being associated with poisons, and fluids causing stiffening. She was thus said to be the protector of the tents of embalmers, and of the canopic jar associated with poison —the jar of the small intestine— which was deified as Qebehsenuf, one of the Four sons of Horus.

As the guard of one of the canopic jars, and a protector, Serket gained a strong association with Aset (Isis), and Nebet Het (Nephthys), who also performed a similar function. Eventually, long into Egyptian history, Serket began to be identified as Isis, sharing imagery, and parentage, until, finally, Serket became said to be merely an aspect of Isis.

[edit] Serket in modern culture

Selkis was the name of Colonel Nohman's Orbital Frame, before he changed for Orbital Frame Anubis, in the video-game Zone of the Enders. He and Viola (pilot of Orbital Frame Neith) mention it during a conversation, while Neith is regenerating from its previous battle with Orbital Frame Jehuty, piloted by Leo. Nohman eventually proposes to Viola changing her damaged Neith for Selkis (an offer she refused). The Orbital Frame Selkis was also featured in the animated series Zone of the Enders: Dolores, i.

Selket is the name of a Nakhti princess from Unreal Championship 2. She is one of the fastest and most agile characters in the game. She holds little respect for the totem religion of the Nakhti people, and seeks to win the Liandri-hosted Ascension Rites to gain respect and note among the Liandri Corporation, and bring a future to her people. It is not stated what was failing about the Nakhti, as they seemed fine as it was--perhaps Selket just had a hatred toward their religion and wanted to "modernize" it. In any case, Anubis (Selket's cousin) entered the Ascension Rites to stop her, and fought against her in the final battle. Anubis tried to talk sense into her several times, but in the end, only killing Selket could end the problem.

Selket is the name of a card in Yu-Gi-Oh! that appeared in the 24th and 25th issue of the manga. The card is summoned by Rishid (Odion) by the means of activating three spell cards: Pharaoh's Shrine, Holy Cup of Sealed Soul, and Selket's Crest. It has an attack point of 2500 to start and each time it destroys one of opponent's monster, it gains half of the destroyed monster's attack points. Also, it has an initial shape of a giant scorpion but is able to shapeshift after each time it consumes its opponent.