| In Egyptian
mythology, Meret (also spelt Mert) was
the token wife occasionally given to Hapy,
the god of the Nile, her name being a reference
to this, meaning simply the beloved. As
token wife, she was usually depicted with
the same associations as Hapy,
having on her head either the blue lotus
for Upper Egypt, or the papyrus plant for
Lower Egypt. Since Hapy
was the source of bountyfulness, Meret was
usually depicted with an offering bowl,
as she was seen, being his wife, as the
symbolic recipient of his generosity. |
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Amongst the lower classes, where nationalism was less important
than successful harvest, she was more strongly considered
the wife of Hapy, than the protectresses
of Lower and Upper Egypt, which were more normally his wife
in the upper classes. As a deity whose role was to be the
symbolic receiver of bountyfulness from the inundation of
the Nile, she was strongly associated with rejoicing, such
as singing, and dancing. Later stories tell that Meret was
the goddess of the eight hour, in the Book
of Gates.
Gods
and Goddesses Menu
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