This serpent was Apophis, also known as Apep, the eternal enemy of light and order. He was not simply a mythological creature but a living symbol of chaos itself, a reminder that even the mightiest gods could be threatened by the forces of destruction.
Every dawn was a victory not only for Ra, who carried the sun across the heavens, but for humanity’s fragile hope that light would always return after the long night.
In some of the earliest stories, Apophis was once considered the god of the sun. However, he was later pushed aside by Ra, the god now associated with the sun.
Origins and meaning of Apophis (Apep) in Egyptian Mythology
Having been dethroned, Apophis harbored a great deal of resentment towards Ra and vowed to make it as difficult as possible for him to bring the dawn each day.
Apophis was depicted as born from darkness and chaos, making him the mortal enemy of light. He sought to overthrow the balance of all things. Taking the form of an enormous serpent over 50 feet long, Apophis earned the nicknames "Evil Lizard" and "Serpent from the Nile."
The name "Apep" is derived from the Egyptian word meaning "slither" and could also be interpreted as "spat out", reflecting the way Apophis was shunned and removed from his position as the sun god. Some depictions also describe him as a crocodile swimming in the dark waters of the underworld.
Snakes in Ancient Egypt: Symbols of Power, Protection & Rebirth
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| Photographic reproduction of ancient artwork from the tomb of Pharaoh Ramses I, Thebes West (c. 1307 BC). Source: Tour Egypt |
| Aspect | Apophis (Apep) | Ra |
|---|---|---|
| Role in Mythology | God of chaos, darkness, and destruction; eternal enemy of the sun | Sun god; symbol of light, order, and creation |
| Form | Enormous serpent (sometimes crocodile) | Solar deity traveling across the sky in a divine barque |
| Main Conflict | Tries to devour the sun each night and plunge the world into darkness | Defends cosmic balance and brings the dawn to humanity |
| Allies/Opponents | Feared but not worshipped; opposed by priests and gods like Set | Aided by Set, other deities, and rituals performed by priests |
| Symbolism | Embodiment of chaos and eternal threat | Embodiment of order, stability, and rebirth |
Apophis in Greek and Roman Myths
Later stories from Greek and Roman mythology described Apophis as an enormous golden snake, several miles long, with a head of stone.The Role of Apophis in the Battle Between Ra and Chaos
Apophis was one of many gods born from the goddess Neith, making him a brother to prominent Egyptian deities such as Ra and Sobek.Every day, as Ra traveled across the sky in his solar barge to bring the dawn, Apophis would await him, attempting to plunge the world into darkness. To combat this threat, Ra enlisted numerous defenders to join him on his journey. When Apophis appeared, they would slit the serpent's belly open, allowing Ra to pass.
One well-known story recounts a time when Apophis swallowed Ra's solar barge whole. In response, Ra transformed himself into a cat. With the assistance of Set, they managed to cut their way out of Apophis and continue their journey.
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| Ancient Egyptian wall painting depicting Mahes battling Apophis. From the tomb of Inher-kha, Thebes (Ramses IV, c. 1164–1157 BC). Source: The Ancient Near East in Pictures Relating to the Old Testament (James B. Pritchard, 2nd edition, 1969). Originally uploaded by Eisnel on English Wikipedia. |
Symbolism of Apophis in Egyptian Religion and Myth
Cats and snakes are natural enemies in Egyptian symbolism, which explains Ra's transformation in this tale. In other stories, Apophis hypnotized Ra and his followers.Only Set could resist, repelling the serpent with his spear. Despite being defeated daily, Apophis persisted, knowing that one successful attack could plunge the world into eternal darkness.
Infographic: Apophis (Apep) in Egyptian Mythology
- Apophis (Apep) was the serpent of chaos and eternal darkness.
- He battled Ra every night, trying to stop the sun from rising.
- Symbolized the destructive forces threatening cosmic balance.
- Priests performed rituals like the “Banishing of Apep” to defeat him.
- Often depicted as a giant snake, sometimes a crocodile.
- Unlike most gods, Apophis was feared but never worshipped.
© historyandmyths.com — Educational use
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| Depiction of Set killing the demon snake Apep. Book of the Dead of Lady Cheritwebeshet (21st Dynasty: c. 1069–945 BC). Source: Egyptian Museum, Cairo |
Rituals and Spells to Defeat Apophis
Despite being a god, Apophis was rarely worshipped. Instead, Egyptians feared him and created rituals to keep him at bay. A book solely dedicated to defeating Apophis, known as the Book of Apophis, detailed spells and rituals to protect against the serpent god.Each year, priests of Ra's temple performed a ritual called the "Banishing of Apep." An effigy of the serpent god was imbued with the land's evil, then beaten, cursed, and burned to ensure the sun would rise again.
The Legacy of Apophis: Chaos, Fear, and Eternal Darkness
Apophis remains one of the most feared figures in Egyptian mythology, embodying chaos and the eternal struggle between light and darkness.Key Takeaways
- Apophis (Apep) embodied chaos, darkness, and eternal threat in Egyptian mythology.
- His nightly battle with Ra symbolized the struggle between order and destruction.
- Unlike most deities, Apophis was feared but never worshipped.
- Rituals such as the “Banishing of Apep” aimed to protect the rising sun.
- Greek and Roman traditions reimagined Apophis as a colossal serpent of stone and gold.
- His legacy highlights humanity’s timeless fear of darkness and the unknown.
Frequently Asked Questions about Apophis (Apep)
1. Who was Apophis (Apep) in Egyptian mythology?
Apophis was the giant serpent god of chaos and darkness, and the eternal enemy of the sun god Ra.
2. Why did the Egyptians fear Apophis?
He threatened to swallow the sun and plunge the world into eternal night, symbolizing chaos and destruction.
3. How did Ra defeat Apophis each night?
Ra, aided by gods like Set, fought Apophis with spears and spells, ensuring the sun could rise again.
4. Was Apophis ever worshipped in ancient Egypt?
No, unlike other gods, Apophis was feared but never worshipped. Priests performed rituals to banish him.
5. What rituals were used against Apophis?
The “Banishing of Apep” involved creating an effigy of the serpent, cursing it, and burning it to protect the dawn.
6. How was Apophis viewed in Greek and Roman traditions?
Later myths described him as an enormous golden serpent with a stone head, reinforcing his role as a cosmic enemy.
Sources
- Assmann, Jan. Egyptian Solar Religion in the New Kingdom: Re, Amun and the Crisis of Polytheism. Routledge, 2014.
- Budge, E. A. Wallis. The Gods of the Egyptians: Studies in Egyptian Mythology. Vol. 1. Dover Publications, 1969 (original 1904).
- Hornung, Erik. Conceptions of God in Ancient Egypt: The One and the Many. Cornell University Press, 1982.
- Pinch, Geraldine. Egyptian Myth: A Very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press, 2004.
- Teeter, Emily. Religion and Ritual in Ancient Egypt. Cambridge University Press, 2011.
- Wilkinson, Richard H. The Complete Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt. Thames & Hudson, 2003.
Written by H. Moses — All rights reserved © Mythology and History
