Author Topic: Egyptian Mythology, Predynastic Period, The God, Hapi  (Read 133 times)

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Egyptian Mythology, Predynastic Period, The God, Hapi
« on: April 22, 2015, 02:00:36 am »
The God, Hapi

This article is about the Egyptian Nile god. For Hapi, one of the Four sons of Horus, see Hapi (Son of Horus). For Hapi-ankh, bull deity of Memphis, see Apis (god).

Hapi, shown as a pair of genies symbolically tying together upper and lower Egypt.

Hapi was the god of the annual flooding of the Nile in ancient Egyptian religion. The flood deposited rich silt (fertile soil) on the river's banks, allowing the Egyptians to grow crops.[1] Some of the titles of Hapi were, Lord of the Fishes and Birds of the Marshes and Lord of the River Bringing Vegetation. Hapi is typically depicted as an intersex person with a large belly and pendulous breasts, wearing a loincloth and ceremonial false beard.[2]

Another depiction of Hapi, bearing offerings
The annual flooding of the Nile occasionally was said to be the Arrival of Hapi.[1] Since this flooding provided fertile soil in an area that was otherwise desert, Hapi, as its patron, symbolised fertility. He had large female breasts because he was said to bring a rich and nourishing harvest. Due to his fertile nature he was sometimes considered the "father of the gods",[1] and was considered to be a caring father who helped to maintain the balance of the cosmos, the world or universe regarded as an orderly, harmonious system.[1] He was thought to live within a cavern at the supposed source of the Nile near Aswan.[3] The cult of Hapi was mainly located at the First Cataract named Elephantine. His priests were involved in rituals to ensure the steady levels of flow required from the annual flood. At Elephantine the official nilometer, a measuring device, was carefully monitored to predict the level of the flood, and his priests must have been intimately concerned with its monitoring.

Hapi was not regarded as the god of the Nile itself but of the inundation event.[1] He was also considered a "friend of Geb" the Egyptian god of the earth,[4] and the "lord of Neper", the god of grain.[5]

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« Last Edit: April 24, 2015, 09:31:42 pm by Golden Falcon ☥ »
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