Also called Shay, Psais, Agathos Daimon (in Ptolemaic Egypt).
Their story
Shai personified fate and the span of life allotted to each person at birth. The Instruction of Amenemope warns that no one can ignore Shai and Renenet, fate and fortune. In the judgement scene of the Papyrus of Ani, Shai stands near the scales as the heart of the dead is weighed. In Ptolemaic Egypt he was identified with the Greek Agathos Daimon, the good spirit of the household, often shown as a serpent.
Best times to give to them
- birthdays
- Wepet Renpet
What they like being given
- grape juice or wine
- bread
- incense
How to honour them
- Accept with grace what cannot be changed, while doing well with what can.
- Honour him with Renenutet at the start of the year.
How they can help you
- acceptance
- good fortune
- making peace with the unknown
Symbols
- serpent
- man in a plain wig
- vine
Sources
- Instruction of Amenemope
- Papyrus of Ani (British Museum EA 10470)
- Quaegebeur, Le dieu égyptien Shaï dans la religion et l'onomastique
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