Which goddess was the patron of war and hunting, often depicted with a bow? Neith was the Egyptian goddess associated with war and hunting, often depicted with a bow.
Neith was a major goddess of Lower Egypt whose principal cult center was Sais. Her emblem consisted of crossed bows, sometimes shown with a shield or bow case, making the weapons a visual shorthand for her martial role. Egyptian artists commonly portrayed her wearing the Red Crown of Lower Egypt and carrying a bow and arrows.
Her identity extended well beyond warfare. Neith was also connected with motherhood, weaving, protection, and the primordial forces of creation. Some traditions called her the mother of Ra or Sobek, while others gave her a creator role associated with the primeval waters.
She is sometimes confused with Sekhmet, whose lioness form represented destructive power and plague, or with Isis, the better-known goddess of motherhood and magic. Bastet could also have protective and martial aspects, but the bow and crossed-bow emblem point specifically to Neith.