The Powerful One. Egyptian lioness goddess. Daughter of the Sun God Ra. At Memphis she formed part of the Memphite. Depicted as a lioness or in human form with the head of a lioness. She was generally shown crowned by the solar disk, holding the ankh (life) symbol or a scepter in the shape of a papyrus reed. She had a warlike aspect, and was said to breathe fire at the enemies of the pharaoh. Like the goddess Hathor, Sekhmet could become the "Eye of Ra", an agent of the Sun God's punishment. She was believed to be the bearer of plague and pestilence, but in a more benign aspect she was called upon in spells and amulets to ward off disease.Click on an image below for statue descriptions and order information as well as a larger view of the statue.