Kherty was a ram god with a dual nature of hostility and protection. From Kherty the king has to be protected by no less a deity than Re. However, Kherty, as his name which means “Lower One” indicates, is an earth-god and so can act as the guardian of the royal tomb. The king’s power over the winds is likened to the grasp of Kherty’s hand.
In the Old Kingdom Kherty is eminent enough to figure as a partner of Osiris and his ram form leads naturally to a relationship with Khnum. Kherty’s major cult center appears to have been at Letopolis, northwest of Memphis.