Editing Hatmehit (section)

== Cult ==
Hatmehit was part of the Mendesian triad which consisted of her, the god [[Banebdjedet]], and [[Harpocrates]] (Horus the child).<ref>{{harvnb|de Meulenaere|MacKay|1976|pages=178–180}}</ref>

Her cult was localized mainly to Nome 16 of Lower Egypt around Mendes although there are depictions of her found widely around Egypt. She can be found in the temples at [[Behbeit El Hagar]], [[Dendera Temple complex|Dendera]], and [[Temple of Edfu|Edfu]], as well as in tombs in [[Abusir]] and [[Bahariya Oasis]].<ref name="LeitzBand5" /> The first evidence of her dates back to the [[Old Kingdom]] as part of the titulary of the official [[Hetepi]], who was called "Inspector of the Estate 'Seat of the Goddess Hatmehit' of the Great phyle"<ref>{{harvnb|Barta|2010|page=4}}</ref> as well as on the walls of the mortuary complex of [[Sahure]].<ref>{{harvnb|Borchardt|1913|page=110}}</ref>

Due to the identical iconography, Hatmehit may have originated as the [[Tutelary deity|tutelary goddess]] of the city of Mendes and its accompanying nome. Her spheres of influence corresponded with the concerns and lifestyle of those who resided within Mendes. For example, due to Mendes' role as a center for perfume production, Hatmehit gained an association with good scents and perfumery. Some of her epithets included "Lady of [[Land of Punt|Punt]]", "Lady of myrrh", and "She who creates everyone's scent".<ref name="MendesII178">{{harvnb|de Meulenaere|MacKay|1976|page=178}}</ref>

The only location of a shrine to Hatmehit discovered thus far in Mendes was one located near an ancient harbor. Several examples of stelae inscribed with fish<ref>{{harvnb|Redford|2004|page=32}}</ref> as well as fish-shaped jars with the remains of juvenile schilbe were found.<ref>{{harvnb|de Rodrigo|2000}}</ref> These represent votive offerings to the goddess, supported by the beer jug and bread molds that were also found in the area.<ref>{{harvnb|de Rodrigo|2000|page=7}}<br>{{harvnb|Redford|2009|pages=84–85}}<br>{{harvnb|Redford|2010|pages=86–94}}</ref>

Outside of Mendes, Hatmehit appears as a deity overseeing the day on IV [[Season of the Inundation|Akhet]] 22 in Dendera<ref>{{harvnb|Cauville|1999|page=44}}, cited in {{harvnb|Leitz|2002a|page=173}}</ref> and II [[Season of the Emergence|Peret]] 3 in Edfu.<ref>{{harvnb|Chassinat|1987|page=292}}, cited in {{harvnb|Leitz|2002a|page=93}}</ref> On IV Akhet 28, there is a Procession of Hatmehit recorded in the Cairo Calendar. This is accompanied by instructions to neither eat nor offer fish on that day, due to Hatmehit leaving Mendes in the form of an ''i͗tn'' fish.<ref>{{harvnb|Leitz|1994|page=187}}</ref>