Bes was mainly a deity of the hearth and home, sexuality, childbirth and protection. He had a fiece ugly face, beard of a lion or lion or panther skin across his shoulders, lion ears, his tongue stuck out, his body that of a dwarf. He wears a plumed crown, and commonly carries a knife, the sa, or musical instruments. The name Bes seems to actually cover a number of protective deities or demons rather than be a singular name. He is able to ward off snakes and scorpions, and is sometimes represented as the benevolent demon Aha strangling two serpents.

Bes was popular in the home for his protective qualities, and amulets in his image were extremely common, along with Taweret, for safety in childbirth and probably fertility. As a protector of childbirth his image is found in the mammisi (birth-houses) of the late period. Spells exist that describe his image being placed on the crown of the head of the woman in labor to add her safe delivery.

His sexual aspect was particularly emphasized during the Ptolemaic period in special Bes chambers were built that were lined inside with naked goddesses and figures of Bes. Bes was considered good luck for couples and was emblazoned above the doorways of homes, as well as on bed foot boards or on the headrest. He appears painted in friezes in palace bedrooms. He also adorns the handles of mirrors, suggesting the association of mirrors with sex.

He also represents merrymaking and music and appears in that context on numerous items.