Royal uraeus
Do you know what snake was on the royal mongoose of the kings of ancient Egypt?
This snake is called the royal uraeus, and is a symbol of sovereignty and protection in ancient Egyptian culture. Attached to the front of the mons, was a striped headdress worn by a king in ancient Egypt.
Some believe that the uraeus represents the goddess Wadjet, the cobra goddess, protector of the delta, and king of the underworld. Others believe that it represents the goddess Nekhbet, the ostrich goddess and the supreme protector of Upper Egypt. Sometimes, the uraeus and the ostrich were placed together on the mongoose to represent the unity of Egypt.
The uraeus appeared in ancient Egyptian art, architecture, and literature, and symbolized the strength, courage, and wisdom of the king. It was also considered a deterrent to enemies and evil spirits.
This is an image of the uraeus serpent on Tutankhamun's golden mask, one of the most famous examples of the Pharaonic mongoose.
Source: websites