Goddess Nephthys with her outspread wings

The goddess Nephthys as a woman with outspread falcon wings offering protection. A detail of the second largest shrine of Tutankhamun. The surface is decorated with texts and vignettes from the Book of the Dead.

The falcon wings represent her ability to navigate between the earthly and divine realms, as well as her role as a protective deity. The outspread wings represent her ability to provide shelter and guidance to the deceased as they navigate the realm of the afterlife. Her wings can also symbolize her connection to the air and the heavens.

In Egyptian mythology, Nephthys is a goddess associated with mourning, protection, and the afterlife. She is often depicted with outspread wings, symbolizing her role as a protective deity.

Nephthys was considered the sister and loyal companion of the powerful god Osiris, as well as the sister-wife of Seth. She played a crucial role in the Osiris myth, where she helped in the resurrection and protection of Osiris after his murder by Seth.

Nephthys was also believed to be the mother of Anubis, the god of embalming and the guardian of the deceased.

In Egyptian funerary rituals, Nephthys was invoked for her protective and comforting qualities, ensuring a safe journey to the afterlife for the deceased.

Nephthys is also closely associated with her sister Isis, and together they are often depicted with outspread wings, symbolizing their complementary roles in the Egyptian pantheon.

New Kingdom, late 18th Dynasty, reign of Tutankhamun, ca. 1332-1323 BC. From the Tomb of Tutankhamun (KV62). Valley of the Kings, West Thebes. Now in the Egyptian Museum, Cairo. JE 60666