Nehebkau facts for kids

Nehebkau (also called Nehebu-Kau or Neheb Ka) was an important god in ancient Egyptian mythology. He was known as a protector and a powerful snake god. People believed he guarded the entrance to the Duat, which was the Egyptian underworld.

Nehebkau's Role and Appearance

Nehebkau was a very old god, even from before the pharaohs ruled Egypt. He was seen as a powerful snake, often shown with two heads. This made him seem even more mysterious and strong.

Guardian of the Underworld

One of Nehebkau's main jobs was to guard the entrance to the Duat. The Duat was the place where the souls of the dead went after life. It was like a journey through many challenges. Nehebkau made sure that only those who were worthy could pass through.

Connected to the Soul

Ancient Egyptians believed that a person's soul had different parts. Two important parts were the Ka and the Ba. The Ka was like a person's life force or spirit, and the Ba was like their personality or what made them unique. Nehebkau was thought to be made up of these two parts, which showed how powerful and connected to life and death he was.

His Powers and Control

Because he was a snake god, Nehebkau was believed to have special powers. People thought he could heal those who were bitten by snakes or stung by scorpions. This made him a god of protection and healing.

Sometimes, Nehebkau was seen as a wild and powerful force. The sun god Atum was said to have to keep a close watch on Nehebkau, even holding him with a finger, to make sure he didn't get out of control. This shows how strong Nehebkau was, but also that even powerful gods needed to be kept in balance.

Images for kids

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  A wooden figure of Nehebkau from the Ptolemaic period housed in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. He appears with a human body and snake head and tail, holding a Wedjat eye as a symbol of protection.

See also

In Spanish: Nehebkau para niños