Net (Neth) Goddess In Ancient Egypt

Net (Neith) - The Ancient Egyptian Goddess of War and Weaving

Net, also known as Neith, is the Lady of the West and her worship is multifaceted. Her name is written as Net or Neith. One of her main associations is with the sun god Ra, as she was the primeval waters from which Ra, the lord of the Pharaonic gods came from.

The etymology of her name in Egyptian is interesting. 'Nat' became 'nit' and means to weave. So she is a goddess of fabric and beauty. Her symbols are the loom shuttle above her head, as shown in Libyan tattoos.

Neith is also the goddess of war. Although she is full human, she is often shown carrying a shield with two arrows crossed. That’s her material symbol. The Amazigh people especially honored her by getting tattoos of her symbols on their arms, as shown in Pharaonic artifacts.

Neith’s two aspects as a war and weaving goddess show how important she is in Egyptian culture: strength and creativity.