Sekhet, Sekhyt, or Sekhety is a third gender recognized in ancient Egypt (Middle Kingdom, 2000-1800 BCE). It is not a static identity, and can be a combination of a myriad of different things; femininity, masculinity, androgyny, anything in between. It can be a specific state of being for a person and remain as such for years, even for a lifetime; or can wildly fluctuate on a day-to-day basis.
It is the state of not being exclusively a man or woman. It is also the "gender" of the Netjeru (a group of Egyptian gods), or the lack of definable gender in a divine essence. The true nature of the Netjeru is mysterious, and though their representations can align along binary standards, their existence within itself is something beyond what can be put into a definition of binary gender.[1]
In modern times it’s used as a general term like non-binary, and it can be used to describe gay people, eunuchs, trans people, and others.
History
Sekhety is written as many different things by scholars; it was originally a word first found on an inscription on a shard of pottery describing the three genders, man, woman, and sekhety. It refers to someone who doesn’t exclusively fit on the societal binary of sexuality and gender, some guesses of the more specific definition being intersex people, gay people, and so forth.
Sekhet is usually translated as “eunuch,” but that’s probably an oversimplification of what this gender category means. It may also mean cisgender gay men, in the sense of not having children, and not necessarily someone who was castrated.[2][3]
Flag
The first sekhet flag was designed any an anonymous Tumblr user on or before June 24, 2017.[4][2] The background is like the flag of Egypt, with a non-binary symbol over it in gold (representing the golden eagle that’s on the actual flag of Egypt).
The alternate sekhet flag was designed by Tumblr user aaruslobby on February 10, 2019.[1] Orange is the color of the reeds in Aaru, resembling freedom, sentimentality and sincerity. Gold represents unity, love, and the embracing warmth of the sun. White represents purity, indefinability. Lapis lazuli represent the Netjeru and the connection to them, divinity, and spirituality. Blue represents the primordial waters of Nu and the fluidity of its’ nature, and the mysterious infinity that which all is created from. It is larger than the other stripes to symbolize the eternal expanse of the water.
Resources
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 https://aaruslobby.tumblr.com/post/182717983982/sekhety-summary-since-i-found-very-little
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 https://www.deviantart.com/pride-flags/art/Sekhet-693828453
- ↑ https://people.well.com/user/aquarius/egypt.htm
- ↑ https://ask-pride-color-schemes.tumblr.com/post/162214934409/additional-on-sekhet