It was depicted as a headdress in the shape of a vulture draped over the head, with its wings hanging down on the sides.

[1] It was a symbol of protection associated with the vulture goddess Nekhbet, who often wore this crown when depicted in a human form.

[2] These crowns were frequently worn by the Great Royal Wife, high ranking priestesses, and female pharaohs.

[4] From the Fifth Dynasty onwards, however, queens began to wear the headdress regularly as part of their iconography.

[6] Because Nekhbet was a protector goddess, the queen's affiliation with her complemented the king's role as the embodiment of the falcon god Horus.