Editing Nephthys (section)

==Symbolism==
[[File:Isis_and_Nepthys_as_kites_by_the_bier.jpg|right|thumb|300x300px|Isis (left) and Nephthys (right) as [[Kite (bird)|kites]] near the bier of a [[mummy]], thirteenth century BCE]]
In the funerary role, Nephthys often was depicted as a [[Kite (bird)|kite]] or as a woman with falcon wings, usually outstretched as a symbol of protection. Nephthys's association with the kite or the Egyptian hawk (and its piercing, mournful cries) evidently reminded the ancients of the lamentations usually offered for the dead by wailing women. In this capacity, it is easy to see how Nephthys could be associated with death and putrefaction in the [[Pyramid Texts]]. She was, almost without fail, depicted as crowned by the hieroglyphs signifying her name, which were a combination of signs for the sacred temple enclosure (''ḥwt'') along with the sign for ''nb'' or ''mistress (lady)'' on top of the enclosure sign.<ref>James P. Allen, Peter Der Manuelian, 'The Pyramid Texts' SBL, 2005</ref>

Nephthys was clearly viewed as a morbid-but-crucial force of heavenly transition, i.e., the pharaoh becomes strong for his journey to the afterlife through the intervention of Isis and Nephthys. The same divine power could be applied later to all of the dead, who were advised to consider Nephthys a necessary companion. According to the Pyramid Texts, Nephthys, along with Isis, was a force before whom demons trembled in fear and whose magical spells were necessary for navigating the various levels of [[Duat]], as the region of the afterlife was termed.