Also called Aha, Bisu.
Their story
Bes is the name used from the Late Period for a group of protective dwarf gods with lion-like faces, often grinning or pulling out their tongues to frighten evil away. His image appears on beds, headrests, mirrors and cosmetic jars, and on the magical wands used to protect mothers and newborns. Dancers and musicians were sometimes tattooed with his figure. In the Ptolemaic period so-called Bes chambers at Saqqara may have been used for healing or dream rituals.
Best times to give to them
- the birth of a child
- bedtime
- household celebrations
What they like being given
- beer or a non-alcoholic ginger beer
- sweet cakes
- music
- water
How to honour them
- Keep an image of Bes near a bed or doorway, as households did for thousands of years.
- Play music or dance in his honour.
- Ask him to keep bad dreams away from children.
How they can help you
- protection of children
- safe birth
- bad dreams
- joy and laughter
Symbols
- lion-maned dwarf face shown frontally
- tall plumes
- tongue stuck out
- tambourine
- knife
He was a household god more than a temple god, so most of what we know comes from objects of everyday use.
Sources
- Pinch, Magic in Ancient Egypt
- Wilkinson, The Complete Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt
More Egyptian gods
- Osiris Lord of the afterlife and new growth
- Horus The falcon, protector of the rightful king
- Ra The sun who sails the sky
- Thoth Scribe of the gods, lord of wisdom
- Anubis Guardian and guide of the dead
- Khonsu The Traveller, the moon who heals
- Amun The hidden king of the gods at Thebes
- Ptah Creator by word and patron of craftsmen