Uraeus

The uraeus is a rearing cobra that connotes protection. The uraeus was associated from as early as the predynastic Period with the Delta region, or Lower Egypt, and was featured prominently above the brow on the royal crown (cat. nos. 25, 26, 32a) or the royal head cloth (illustrated in cat. nos. 29, 30, 31, 32b). The uraeus is often combined with the sun disk [N6]. The cobra, with its dilated hood framing the disk of the sun, was said to represent the fiery eye of Re. The two symbols were also depicted with various solar-linked deities, in particular Sekhmet, who is represented in the exhibition as a lion-headed goddess carrying the solar disk and uraeus above her head (cat. nos. 8 9, 11a). The uraeus in its protective function is often incorporated into scenes from the Book of the Dead, associating uraeus with the underworld.