Goddess Hathor offers Menat necklace to Seti I

Painted relief depicts goddess Hathor offers Menat necklace to Seti I, from a pillar in the Tomb of Seti I (KV17) in the Valley of the Kings, West Thebes.

Seti I’s tomb is known for its rich decoration, which included elaborate depictions of gods and pharaohs in various religious contexts. It’s also famous for the artistic excellence of its wall paintings and reliefs.

In this relief, Hathor, the goddess of love, beauty, music, and fertility, is depicted offering the Menat necklace to Seti I.

The Menat is a powerful symbol in ancient Egyptian religion, often associated with Hathor. It was considered both a protective amulet and a representation of fertility and joy.

Despite its title of necklace, the Menat was commonly used in rituals and was often shown in the hands of deities, especially Hathor, to convey blessings or divine protection.

The necklace served as a percussion instrument, shaken to produce a calming sound that was considered to placate and please a god or goddess.

In the relief, Hathor’s gesture of offering the Menat necklace can be interpreted as a divine blessing for Seti I, particularly as he transitions to the afterlife.

The Menat, in this context, serves as a powerful tool for ensuring his protection and favor with the gods in the next life, reinforcing his royal status even beyond death.

Hathor’s role in the afterlife as a nurturer and protector of the deceased is well-documented in Egyptian iconography, and this relief exemplifies that role.

Seti I’s tomb is known for its exceptional artistry, and this particular relief is one of the many examples that showcase the importance of divine interactions, especially those between the king and the gods, which were crucial for the royal legitimacy and safe passage to the afterlife.

New Kingdom, 19th Dynasty, reign of Seti I, ca. 1290-1279 BC. Now in the National Archaeological Museum of Florence. N. 2468