Basic Information
Alternative spellings: Nehebu-kau
Translation: He who harnesses the spirits [6]
Epithets: The Numerous of Coils [3] , Great Serpent, Multitudinous of Coils [6]
Type/Species: Drake
Origin: Egyptian Mythology
About Nehebkau
First referenced in the Pyramid Texts, [6] Nehehbkau was a primeval snake deity. [2] He was the son of Renenutet, [3] the serpent harvest deity, and Geb, the earth god. [6] In another myth, Nehebkau was originally born as a human. [5] Other traditions claimed that Serket, the scorpion goddess, gave birth to him. [6]
Originally, he posed a threat to the dead, [1] but after being subdued by the servants of Atum-Re, this ancient serpent served the sun deity by feeding the dead king and acting as his envoy. [4]
He also acted as an intercessory, as revealed by several spells that recorded the king's request that his 'good name' be spoken to Nehebkau, for the serpent deity would whisper good names 'to the Two Enneads.' [6] Thus, he served the sun god and aided the king. [1]
Nehebkau also guarded the underworld. [5] People perceived him as a benevolent deity, despite his original threat to the dead, [6] and in popular religion, he was widely venerated. [7] The primary cult center for Nehebkau was Herakleopolis Magna (modern Ihnasya el-Medina). Other locations celebrated his feasts since the time of Egypt's Middle Kingdom. [7]
His consort was Nehemtawy. [6]
The Transformation of Nehebkau
Whatever his original incarnation, Nehebkau transformed, [5] though the cause of his transformation varied by source. In one tradition, Nehebkau devoured coils from the world serpent, Apep. [5] In another version, he swallowed the seven cobras, which granted him substantial power and forced his body to transmute. [6]
No matter the cause, Nehebkau's form changed drastically. His head morphed into that of a serpent, and he gained the stinging tail of a scorpion. [5]
The Powers and Protections of Nehebkau
Among his many attributes, Nehebkau had immunity to all injurious magic, and neither water nor fire could harm him. [6] He used the poisons in his possession to cure humans of stings and bites inflicted by scorpions and snakes. [5]
His abilities and quality as a benevolent deity led to Nehebkau's form being depicted on many protective items, including amulets. Plaques usually depicted him in his anthropomorphic form with human arms raised before him. [7] Even the sides of divine thrones bore his serpent form as a protective deity. [6,7]
Physical Description
Nehebkau had many forms. In his semi-anthropomorphic form, he was a man with a serpent's head and tail, [6] or a man with a snake's head and scorpion's tail. [5] He was also described as a serpent with either human arms or legs [2] or both. [1]
Quick Facts
- Nehebkau could not be harmed by magic, fire, or water. [6]
- He was a serpent with human appendages. [1] Sometimes he took the form of a man with a serpent's head and scorpion's tail. [5]
- He was the guardian of the underworld. [5]
- The serpent deity transformed after devouring coils from the world serpent [5] or by swallowing the seven serpents. [6]
- He provided antidotes to the poisons of both scorpion stings and snakebites. [5]
- Nehebkau was a widely venerated benevolent deity. [7]
Related Articles
Term Reference
Footnotes
- Cotterell 225
- Pinch 169
- Pinch 199
- Pinch 200
- Rose [Dragons] 264
- Wilkinson [Complete] 224
- Wilkinson [Complete] 225
For more information on footnotes and references, please see the bibliography.
