Kherty (also spelled Kherty or Kheri-apt) is an ancient Egyptian deity associated with the underworld and the protection of the dead. The name Kherty is derived from the Egyptian phrase khery-apt, which translates to "he who is in the underworld" or "ruler of the underworld." In Hebrew, the name can be translated as כרטי (Kher-Ti). In ancient Egyptian religion, Kherty was often depicted as a ram-headed deity or as a ram, symbolizing fertility and protection. He was also associated with the god Osiris, who ruled the underworld, and was sometimes considered an aspect of Osiris. Kherty's role was to protect the deceased as they journeyed through the underworld, ensuring their safe passage. He was often invoked in funerary texts and rituals to safeguard the dead and guide them to the afterlife.
Ancient Egyptian deity
Kherty is an ancient Egyptian deity. Despite being archaeologically attested since the early 2nd Dynasty, his original mythological role during this era is unclear. Kherty was an Egyptian god of the Duat. The earliest mythological descriptions of Kherty's role do not appear until the 6th Dynasty in the Pyramid Texts.