Khepri facts for kids

Khepri is an important god in ancient Egyptian mythology. He was known as a sun god and was often seen as one of the forms of Ra, the main sun god. Because of this, Khepri was strongly connected to ideas of new beginnings and rebirth.

Khepri was also known as the god of scarabs and Dung beetles. The ancient Egyptians watched how dung beetles rolled small balls of dung across the ground. They believed that Khepri was like these beetles, pushing the sun across the sky each day, making it rise and set. This act of the sun rising again each morning was a powerful symbol of creation and new life.

Who Was Khepri?

Khepri's name means "He who is Coming into Being" or "He who has Created." This shows his strong link to creation and the beginning of life. The Egyptians believed he was responsible for the sun rising every morning, bringing light and warmth to the world.

Khepri and the Sun

The ancient Egyptians thought the sun traveled through the sky during the day and then through the Underworld at night. Khepri's job was to push the sun disk across the sky, making sure it completed its journey and was reborn each dawn. This daily cycle of the sun was very important to their beliefs about life, death, and rebirth.

The Scarab Beetle Connection

Why Scarabs?

The Dung beetle was a sacred animal to the Egyptians because of its unique behavior. They saw the beetle rolling its ball of dung, which contained its eggs, as a symbol of the sun moving across the sky. When the young beetles hatched from the ball, it seemed like new life was coming from nothing, just as the sun seemed to be reborn each day. This made the scarab a powerful symbol of creation, rebirth, and good luck.

Scarab Amulets

Many ancient Egyptians wore scarab beetle amulets or used them in their jewelry. These small carvings of scarab beetles were believed to bring protection and good fortune. They were also placed in tombs to help the dead in the afterlife, ensuring their rebirth.

Khepri's Appearance

Khepri was usually shown in one of two ways:

• As a man with the head of a scarab beetle.
• Completely as a scarab beetle, often pushing the sun disk.

Sometimes, he was also depicted as a scarab beetle on a boat, sailing across the sky, just like the sun god Ra.

Images for kids

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  Scarab beetles were one of the most common material objects made by the ancient Egyptians. These scarabs, from the Middle Kingdom, were likely used as jewelry, specifically amulets. The scarab beetle is symbolic of Khepri, the Egyptian sun deity who represents creation and rebirth.

• Relief panel showing two baboons offering the wedjat eye to the sun god Khepri, who holds the Underworld sign MET DP241031.jpg

  On this relief panel, Khepri is depicted solely as a scarab beetle. Above his head the sun god holds the Duat, a symbol for the afterlife. The scarab stands on a sun disk with sun rays extending downwards.

See also

In Spanish: Jepri para niños