The temple of Dendera, particularly its crypts, contains numerous reliefs depicting statues of Harsomtus, a deity often syncretized with Ra. Harsomtus is commonly represented as an upright snake emerging from a lotus flower, typically affixed to a barge. A variation of this motif, popularly referred to as the "Dendera Light," portrays Harsomtus within an oval-shaped container known as hn, which may symbolize the womb of the goddess Nut. In some instances, the scene includes a djed pillar supporting either the snake or the container, while in others, a figure with raised arms and a sun disk on their head is depicted.

The crypts of the temple were considered analogous to the Duat, the Egyptian underworld. Reliefs in these subterranean chambers illustrate cult statues—crafted from precious materials and often looted or destroyed in later periods—housed within the crypts. These statues, referred to as the "bodies" of the gods, were believed to be reanimated through exposure to light on the temple’s roof during specific rituals. Accompanying these reliefs are inscriptions detailing the dimensions and construction of the statues, as well as captions identifying the associated deities.

circa 350 BCE

The reliefs associated with Harsomtus in the Temple of Dendera are distributed across two locations: south crypt 1-C (crypt 4) and room G (chamber V). Each of the three objects consists of paired reliefs, with one half located in crypt 1-C and the corresponding half in room G. These reliefs vividly portray the deity Harsomtus and his symbolic forms, materials, and associated rituals.

In crypt 1-C, the south wall features Object 2(a). The relief above the left snake is inscribed with: "Words spoken by Harsomtus, the great God, who dwells in Dendera, the living Ba in the lotus flower of the Mandjet-day-barge, whose perfection is raised up by the two arms of the Djed-pillar as his Seshem-image, while the Kas on their knees bend their arms." The materials described for this depiction are gold and various precious stones, with a height of three palms. Adjacent to this, the north wall contains Object 3(a), where Harsomtus is shown emerging from a lotus flower as a living Ba. Here, his Seshemu-image is supported by the Djed-pillar, while the Qematiu-images of his Ka are depicted raising his perfection. The inscriptions note that the body is crafted of gold, with a height of one cubit.

Additional inscriptions highlight associated figures, such as the frog-headed deity Wepet, whose name is praised, and who is described as a protector against rebels and enemies. Another statue in the shrine is identified with Harsomtus as "the hidden of form, protected in his shrine." This figure, also made of gold, stands one cubit high.

In room G, Object 1(b) is located on the south wall. The snake here is depicted within the hn-container of the Mesketet-night-barge, surrounded by four figures. The water beneath and the flower behind the figure reinforce the symbolic imagery, with inscriptions specifying gold and metal as materials, at a height of four palms. On the north wall of room G, Object 2(b) shows Harsomtus in his barge, crafted of gold and precious stones, with a height of three palms. Adjacent to this, Object 3(b) depicts Harsomtus of Upper and Lower Egypt, the Sa-ta-snake emerging from a flower containing the hn-container. This scene includes four human-faced figures, a figure of Heh beneath the snake's head, and an Iuf-monkey with a toad-like face wielding knives, surrounded by additional figures supporting the flower's front part.

These reliefs reflect the rich symbolic language of Egyptian theology, portraying Harsomtus in his varied forms as a protector, creator, and embodiment of divine energy. The accompanying inscriptions provide detailed descriptions of the statues' materials, dimensions, and sacred functions, underscoring the significance of these artifacts in the temple's ritual context.