Fear of snakes was especially justified in the Delta, where they were abundant. The Egyptians wore protective amulets to guard against the risk of being bitten. The four female Ogdoad-forces of elemental chaos before the world was created-were represented as serpents. Apocalypse for the Egyptians could be brought about by the great serpent Apophis, shich lay in wait to ambush the sun every night. And the sun was destined to become a snake when the world ended. However, the snake could also have positive attributes in myth. Wadjet, the patron goddess of Lower Egypt, was the most revered of a number of serpent deites. The cobra goddess Renenutet, whose name translated as "the nourishing snake," was the goddess of good fortune, invoked to ensure bountiful harvests, easy childbirth and a happy future.
