Who the God Nehebu-Kau is
Nehebu-Kau is a serpent god who was believed to assist deceased pharaohs in various ways. He was believed to be a god of protection both in life and in the afterlife. He was also regarded as one of the forty-two deities in the Hall of Maat, goddess of truth and justice.
The Meaning of the Name ‘Nehebu-Kau’
The meaning of the Egyptian name ‘Nehebu-Kau’ is ‘he who harnesses the spirits’. The reason behind this name can be understood through his gracious nature.
Origin of the God
It was believed that Nehebu-Kau was one of the original primaeval deities of ancient Egypt. He is thought to roam in the primaeval waters of Nun before creation. At that time he was believed to be in a form of the sun.
The Secret Behind the Power of the God
It was said that among the other snake deities of ancient Egypt, Nehebu-Kau has considerable power. The reason behind this thinking is the story of ‘Seven Cobras’. It was believed that swallowing of seven cobras by Nehebu-Kau is the main source of his power.
God of Protection
Nehebu-Kau was widely accepted as a snake god of protection. People used to invoke him in magical spells in order to get protection from snake bites.
Nehebu-Kau Family Tree
It was generally believed that he is the son of Serket, the Scorpion goddess. Although there is another version of mythology where he is believed to be the son Geb, the Earth god and the serpent goddess of the harvest, Renenutet. Nehemtawy was said to be the consort of Nehebu-Kau. In other tradition, she is thought to be the consort of Thoth.
Iconography of Nehebu-Kau
Nehebu-Kau is generally depicted as a great coiled serpent. Frequently, he is depicted in a form of a man with the head and tail of a snake. Sometimes he is depicted in serpent form on the sides of divine thrones. This iconography probably indicates his protective and kind-hearted nature.
Sometimes, he is depicted in a semi-anthropomorphic form, as a man with the head of a serpent. This type of hybrid form of the deity came in representation in the later period. This iconography of Nehebu-Kau mainly found on amulets and plaques where his arms are raised before him holding an offering pot.
The Cult of Nehebu-Kau
On the basis of the available archaeological evidence, he respectful place in the popular religion of ancient Egypt can easily be recognized. The main cult centre of this god was Herakliopolis Magna which can be identified with the modern day Ihnasya el-Medina.
The evidence on celebrations related to this god started to appear from the time period of Middle Kingdom. It comes to be known that the first day of the first month of the winter season was celebrated as a feast of god Nehebu-Kau.
