Apophis
Apophis
Apophis is the great serpent of chaos in Egyptian mythology, the embodiment of darkness and absolute disorder. The eternal enemy of the sun god Ra, he attempts each night to swallow the solar barque during its journey through the underworld. The Egyptians performed daily rituals to ward off his attacks and preserve cosmic order.
Key Facts
- Apophis is attested as early as the Coffin Texts of the Middle Kingdom (c. 2055–1650 BCE)
- He is described as an enormous serpent measuring several dozen meters in length, dwelling in the depths of the Nun (the primordial ocean)
- Each night, during Ra's journey through the Duat, Apophis attacks the solar barque; he is repelled by Seth, then by Sobek and the other gods
- The 'Books of Apophis' (the Papyrus of Herihor, c. 1070 BCE) compile the magical spells and rituals used to neutralize him
- Unlike other Egyptian deities, Apophis receives no cult worship: he is burned and execrated in effigy during daily temple ceremonies
Works & Achievements
The first major royal funerary text to describe hour by hour the nocturnal journey of Ra, including successive confrontations with Apophis. It is the most complete mythological source on the serpent's cosmic role.
A collection of magical spells designed to protect the deceased in the afterlife. Chapter 39, devoted entirely to repelling the serpent Apophis, attests to the central place this figure held in Egyptian funerary beliefs.
A royal funerary text illustrating the twelve hours of the night and their divine guardians. Apophis is depicted in chains near the eastern horizon, definitively defeated at dawn after the final battle.
A royal funerary text depicting the enemies of Ra, including Apophis, bound and tormented in the depths of the Duat. The serpent is shown cut apart and burned to neutralize his chaotic power.
The most comprehensive document devoted to the rituals of Apophis's destruction. It contains his secret names, spells to annihilate him, and detailed instructions for performing the daily magical ceremonies.
Anecdotes
Apophis is one of the rare beings in Egyptian mythology to have no temple or official cult: he was not worshipped — he was fought. In great temples such as Karnak, priests recited magical spells every day, spat upon his image, and burned wax figurines representing him, to ensure that Ra would triumph once again that night.
In Egyptian mythology, Set — the storm god often regarded as malevolent — was also the great defender of the solar barque. Each night, it was he who stood at the prow of Ra's vessel and drove his spear through Apophis's body, allowing the sun to continue on its journey. Set was therefore at once a feared deity and an indispensable hero of the cosmic order.
Solar eclipses plunged the Egyptians into intense terror: they believed that Apophis had managed, if only for a moment, to swallow Ra's barque. Ritual ceremonies would immediately intensify to 'free' the sun from the serpent's belly and restore order to the world.
A late ritual text known as the 'Book of Apophis,' preserved in the Bremner-Rhind Papyrus (4th century BCE), provides precise instructions for destroying the serpent: speak his name in a low voice, draw his image on papyrus, trample it, then burn it. This handbook of symbolic destruction bears witness to the importance of magical ritual in Egyptian religion.
Apophis was described as a serpent of colossal size — some texts suggest a length of several dozen meters — whose body could block the entire night sky. His roar caused earthquakes, and his breath poisoned the darkness. Despite his power, he was defeated every single night without exception, which underscored the indestructible strength of Ra and the cosmic order (Ma'at).
Primary Sources
"The serpent is beneath the feet of the king. The king crosses the sky; the serpent of chaos cannot reach him."
"Drive Apophis away from the bark of millions of years, so that Re may appear on the eastern horizon each morning."
"Back, Apophis! You shall not prevail over Re in the bark of eternity. Thoth binds you, Sekhmet chains you."
"In the fifth hour of the night, the bark of Re confronts the great serpent Apophis, who seeks to swallow it in the darkness."
"Fall back, Apophis, enemy of Re! You are defeated, you are driven away. Re triumphs over you each day. Your name is cursed, your body is burned, your soul is annihilated."
Key Places
The mythical kingdom of the dead located beneath the earth, traversed each night by the barque of Ra during the twelve hours of darkness. This is where Apophis permanently dwells, lying in ambush for the sun in an attempt to swallow the light.
The great sacred city of the Nile Delta and the center of the solar cult of Ra and Atum. It was here that the fundamental solar myths developed, including that of Apophis as the cosmic enemy of the sun and destroyer of Ma'at.
A vast temple complex where priests performed daily rituals to ward off Apophis. Magic spells were recited there and figurines of the serpent were solemnly burned in ceremonial rites.
The royal necropolis whose tombs are decorated with scenes drawn from the Amduat and the Book of Gates, depicting Ra's nightly journey and his repeated confrontations with Apophis, hour by hour.
The sacred city of the god Thoth in Upper Egypt, where magic rituals (heka) were performed against Apophis. Thoth, master of magic spells and writing, played a key role in binding and neutralizing the serpent.