The shen ring is represented as a ring with a stick tangent to it, tied together with ropes. The word shen in Kemetic means "to encircle", and the shen ring represents eternal protection.

The shen ring is often depicted as being carried by a falcon or vulture, the sacred birds of Heru and Mut, respectively. The goddesses, Aset and Nebet-Het, are often depicted kneeling with their hands placed upon a shen ring, in a reference to their roles as protector-deities. Additionally, shen rings can be found attached to some forms of royal scepters, indicating the Pharaoh's eternal authority.