Papa Emeritus III and Sibling Nephtys [she/he/they], inspired by the Art Deco movement (and German Expressionism).
Referenced from Metropolis (dir. Fritz Lang, art of Heinz Schulz-Neudamm), the works of Tamara de Lempicka, Kiyoshi Kobayakawa and the Cigarette Couple Cover of the 1919 Vanity Fair Issue. From the Pinnacle to the Pit artwork and the Wiltern Ghost Poster (David. M Brinely.) Close up under the cut.
Will this be a series? Perhaps, we (Warden HQ) don't know.
As many of you know (or didn't know), my Ministry/Clergy original character is a fun, nerdy librarian by the name of Sibling Nephtys. But how did we get here? What does Nephtys mean? Why did I choose that name? Did Nephtys choose their own name? And why?
To which I say, let's find out!
In a more elaborate way than my ghulah and ifrit posts are, this is a breakdown of etymology, with regards to mythology and history.
How Did We Get Here?
The processes of actually naming my Sibling of Sin was actually quite frustrating. I am a person who enjoys etymology and language. I wanted a name that honored both my Sibling's Egyptian heritage, while retaining a Gothic feel to it. Obviously, there is no actual contradiction with having both of those - but it felt hard, when a lot of the ideas of Goth-ness were associated with historically white and European things. Even though names like Isis or Seth (Set) or even Anubis were sorta in that sphere. I wanted to handpick something. It also had to be a name that, in character, Nephtys would name himself! So I made a list of potential names that were culturally relevant and fit the themes I wanted.
The candidates were:
Samara
From the Arabic root SMR, meaning a good companion. Similar names included Samir or Samira.
Initially chosen as it was a pretty name I liked. It was axed because the name meaning didn't super fit what I was going for.
Lamia
Derived from Arabic, lamea, shining. As well as the Libyan queen in Libyan-Greek mythology who was turned into a monster (many such cases).
Initially chosen because of the mythological connections and geographical placement. It was axed because of the vibes, truly. It is still a very good name, I think it'd be great for a name of a Sibling of Sin.
Badriyah
Meaning 'of the full moon' in Arabic, coming from badr which is the fill moon with an added iyah suffix.
Initially chosen because of, well, the moon and the night. It was axed for the fact that it didn't feel the way I wanted it to when I said Sibling Badriyah.
Qadira
Feminine version of qadir, meaning 'to be capable of' in Arabic.
Initially chosen because it conveys power and authority. It was axed because I didn't like it as much as my final choice. It is actually really good as well.
Aken
A fairly unknown Egyptian god that is mentioned to be the ferryman of souls, though less than the following option, which is Kherty/Cherti.
Initially chosen because of the association with the afterlife. The name was axed because I thought I could make a better OC for this name.
Cherti
An Egyptian god of the Duat, who guided and protected souls to safety on their journey to the afterlife.
Initially chosen because of the association with the afterlife. It was axed because of pure mouthfeel and dissatisfaction with pronunciation on my end.
Chons
A variant on the name of the Egyptian god, Khonsu. The god of travellers, the moon, and healing.
Initially chosen because again, the moon and the night. It was axed because I might use it for another character and the pronunciation.
Satis
An Egyptian goddess of fertility and war and associated with Sothis - the star beneath Sirius.
Initially chosen because of the nocturnal and empyrean aspects. It was axed because I preferred the final choice over it. Still a good contender.
Lilah
From the Arabic lailah, meaning night.
Initially chosen for the meaning. It was axed because I know too many Layla's in my life. Very pretty name, not for my main OC, though.
Nephtys
A derivative of Nephthys/Nebethwt, the Egyptian goddess of mourning, night, and magic. Chosen because it contained all the themes I wanted to convey with the name of my OC. Also very plausible that some very passionate nerd would pick it out from a list. Aka me, aka Nephtys.
THE WINNER!
But, Warden, why Nephtys, really?
I found out I wanted a name that was associated with the Egyptian pantheon. Not only because my Sibling of Sin is a history, theology, mythology and anthropology enthusiast - but I wanted something pre-Abrahamic. It's a little funny to think about, however, within the Egyptian pantheon there is no true evil, maybe once or twice, but the darker aspects of the mythology were always essential to life. A guide like Aken and Kherti or a god of funerary rites like Anubis and Osiris, the god of the underworld, even Tawaret or Hathor - all part of life and death and what came after. If I had all these options from the Osirian gods, why did I choose Nephtys?
Let's talk about it.
Mythological Background
The name Nephtys is derived from the Egyptian goddess Nephthys, the Latin/Greek version of the name Nebethwt. I will be referring to her as Nebethwt for easier distinction between her and Nephtys (my oc) in this post. Nebethwt, the goddess, was the child of Geb (earth) and Nut (sky). She was associated with mourning, death, (temple) service, as well as magic, protection, childbirth, and embalming. Nebethwt was also referred to as Isis's mirror-twin - the darkness to Isis's light.
This is a depiction of Isis/Eset (left) and Nebethwt (right) with the Djed pillar - which symbolized Osiris's (god of the Underworld) strength and stability.
Nebethwt (nbt-hwt) translates to Lady (nbt) of the enclosure(hwt), to mean Lady of the House, or Mistress of the House - alluding to her protective aspects. Her headdress indicates that as well, as it is a symbol of the house. This protection also extended to the dead.
It also should be noted that Nebethwt was cited as Set/Sutekh's consort. Set being the god of desert storms, chaos, and war. A figure of strife, a god who attempted to usurp his brother's(Osiris) throne. Nebethwt both aided in his endeavour but also eventually helped Isis in bringing Osiris to victory.
Other associations with Nebethwt were: hawks, sycamore trees, temples, the setting sun, twilight, darkness.
So, she was very much associated with death and mourning and the night and all those fun Gothic concepts that we enjoy here. Nebethwt was a goddess that was revered and worshipped all throughout Egypt - she was popular and beloved, not unlike her sister. Together they were quote the duo, they represented such major concepts in the Egyptian pantheon. It is sometimes debated if she was truly separate from her twin sister or if they sometimes become one at times. Regardless, she is the darker aspects of Isis, but just as divine (which is similar to the playlist title I have for Nephtys).
The Final Choice
After considering all of that and reading through pages of articles and niche blog-posts, I decided on the name Nephtys. It was not the original spelling Nebethwt and not the Graeco-Latin Nephthys, and not even the Old Coptic Nepht'ho (which I did consider for a little bit, but ultimately didn't choose). I personally found that my Sibling of Sin would choose this version of the goddesses name, which is a phonetic iteration and tack on an alliterative surname - Nuit. Nuit just means night in French. It felt like the perfect name for a sixteen year old who's aching to find a new identity and comfort while still embracing their heritage.
Besides, the title Lady of the House, it made me think a lot. She was a protective figure and a powerful one, beloved and embraced by her followers. She was a protector of people, of spirits, of temples. A comfort to be found in mourning and in death. Narratively, I thought about Nephtys and what he was like and his own relationships with others and what ideas he embodies. The things he would go through. Reaching out towards something many people shy away from and staying there, soaking in it, becoming part of it. It just fits, I think.
There's something really good about finding comfort in culture, in finding all that history of language and meaning.
