Vulture goddess whose name simply means 'She of Nekheb', referring to the city (modern Elkab) which together with Hierakonpolis formed the double capital of Upper Egypt. Nekhbet was also the protective goddess of Upper Egypt, and Wadjet that of Lower Egypt. The two goddesses appeared together as the royal diadem, the emblem of royal power, and one of the five names of the king was the so-called 'Nebty' name (or Two Ladies name), introduced by an illustration of Nekhbet and Wadjet. Nekhbet is usually depicted as a vulture with outstretched wings, holding a 'shen' or eternity symbol in her claws; sometimes she is shown as a cobra, derived from Wadjet, but wearing the crown of Upper Egypt and thus distinguishable from her Lower Egyptian pendant.