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Welcome! My name is Susanne Iles and I am a contemporary symbolist painter, writer, and curator. Please visit my homepage, Bone Singer Studio~Gallery... (more...)
Throughout the ancient mythological texts of Egypt, the theme of resurrection and rebirth can be found time and again. In one such myth, we are introduced to the mighty and dangerous dragon, Apep. A mysterious creature bearing many names, Apep was also known as Apophis, Aaapef and Rerek. Some people, however, preferred this serpent-like dragon to remain Nameless.
For more information on the original painting Apep, The Egyptian Dragon of Chaos by Susanne Iles please visit: http://www.bonesinger.com/apep.html
The original article may be found at: http://www.bonesinger.com/essayapep.html
Apep, The Egyptian Dragon of Chaos by Susanne Iles
Throughout the ancient mythological texts of Egypt, the theme of resurrection and rebirth can be found time and again. In one such myth, we are introduced to the mighty and dangerous dragon, Apep. A mysterious creature bearing many names, Apep was also known as Apophis, Aaapef and Rerek. Some people, however, preferred this serpent-like dragon to remain Nameless. Whatever his true name may have been, it was kept secret so as not to grant any further power to this tremendous being. The power contained in Apep represented the chaotic elements of the universe, the destructive and dark side of Nature.Although later mythologies described Apep as evil, the early myth-tellers were aware life was the coexistence of all opposite values. True power could be seen in the contrasting elements of Apep as the destructive darkness, and Re, the heat and light giving sun-god traveling through the sky in his solar barque.
Death and Rebirth
Each day Apep attempted to disrupt the passage of the solar barque carrying the sun-god Re, as it traveled from east to west across the sky. Storms, darkness, rain, eclipse - all were weapons used against Re's fiery presence in the heavens. The dying god Re made his way to the Underworld as night shrouded daylight, only to be reborn each and every morning at sunrise. The battle between Re and Apep was played out daily as a very visible symbol of the natural cycle of life and death. Protective Entourage
Many ancient hieroglyphs show Re in his solar barque surrounded by a protective entourage of gods and goddesses. The gods Set and Mehen battled the dragon with knives and spears. Osiris, Lord of the Underworld, along with his wife/sister, Isis, and the goddess Nephthys, used prayers and supplication as an affirmation of their protective powers. On Earth, the Egyptians and their priests would recite spells and prayers to help ensure Re's continued victory over the darkness. Apep and Egyptian Links
- The Gods of Ancient Egypt
- Learn more about Apophis (Apep)the Destroyer.
- Apep
- More about Apep from Encyclopedia Mythica.
- Apep, the Enemy of Re
- An informative article written by Jimmy Dunn.
- The Book of Am-Tuat
- Sacred Texts Online
The Book of Am-Tuat by E. A. Wallis Budge [1905] - Legends of the Gods
- Sacred Texts Online
Legends of the Gods
The Egyptian Texts, edited with Translations
by E. A. Wallis Budge
[1912]
Recommended Reading
The Complete Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt
Amazon Price: $26.37 (as of 05/17/2008)
The Illustrated Egyptian Book of the Dead
Amazon Price: (as of 05/17/2008)
The Oxford History of Ancient Egypt (Oxford Illustrated Histories)
Amazon Price: (as of 05/17/2008)
The Bone Singer Blog
Reconnecting Our Natural World With The Divine
For current news and information about Susanne and the Bone Singer Studio~Gallery in Castletownbere, Ireland please visit the Bone Singer Blog.
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