Domains & Iconography
Domains: protection, solar barque
Iconography: coiled serpent
Role in the Night Journey
In underworld compositions, Mehen coils around Ra or the crew of the solar barque, forming a living rampart against threats—especially Apophis. His encirclement visualizes safe space in hostile zones.
Iconography & Game
Mehen appears as a great coiled serpent; a board game named Mehen (Old Kingdom) depicts a coiling track—possibly echoing protective circles and ordered progress.
Legacy
As symbol and practice, Mehen teaches enclosure as care: encircle the vulnerable, guide by turns, and emerge at dawn. Museum reliefs and the Mehen game boards preserve this pedagogy.
Sources & References
See also
Horus
Sky-falcon and patron of kingship; opponent of Seth and son of Isis and Osiris in Osirian myth.
Anubis
Jackal god of embalming and necropolis guardianship; overseer of the weighing of the heart.
Sekhmet
Lioness goddess, a fierce Eye of Ra who subdues chaos; paired with healing and apotropaic rites.
Bastet
Protective feline goddess associated with healing perfumes and domestic joy; a tempered counterpart to Sekhmet.