Editing Nehebkau (section)

== Mythology ==
[[File:Nehebkau with a falcon-head.svg|thumb|left|Nehebkau with a falcon-head presents an [[Eye of Horus]] to [[Min (god)|Min]]. Based on depictions in various [[hypocephalus|hypocephali]].]]Nehebkau is the "original snake"<ref>{{Citation|last=Imhausen|first=Annette|title=Mathematical Texts (II): Tradition, Transmission, Development|date=2016-02-16|work=Mathematics in Ancient Egypt|publisher=Princeton University Press|doi=10.23943/princeton/9780691117133.003.0018|isbn=978-0-691-11713-3}}</ref> of Egyptian mythology, and was believed to be both an ancient and eternal god.<ref name="nageh" /> Although he is occasionally represented as a son of [[Serket]], [[Renenutet]] or [[Geb]], he is sometimes believed to have simply "emerged from the earth".<ref name="nageh" /> He was believed to have lived in the [[Heliopolis (ancient Egypt)|Great Temple of Heliopolis]], which was also the centre of worship for [[Ra|Re]] and [[Atum]].<ref name="nageh" />

Nehebkau is a considerably powerful deity, which contemporary Egyptologist and author [[Richard H. Wilkinson|Richard Wilkinson]] credits to his demonic origins and snake-like qualities.<ref name=wilkinson/> After he swallows seven cobras in a myth, Nehebkau cannot be harmed by any magic, fire or water.<ref name=wilkinson/> In an early myth, he demonstrates an ability to breathe fire.<ref name=klotz>{{Cite book|last=Klotz|first=David|title=Adoration of the Ram|date=2006-12-31|publisher=Yale Egyptology|doi=10.2307/j.ctvhrcz4s|isbn=978-1-950343-02-7}}</ref> Nehebkau first appears in the [[Pyramid Texts]],<ref name=wilkinson/> and he is described as an evil, long and winding serpent who devoured human souls in the afterlife.<ref name=bates/> In this context, he is believed to be an enemy of the sun god,<ref name=shorter/> and Re is said to have built his [[Solar deity|sun boats]] to be able to be pushed by the wind in order to escape Nehebkau's many coils.<ref name=nageh/>

Nehebkau was later honoured<ref name=bates/> among other dangerous gods as one of the 42 judges in the [[Assessors of Maat|Court of Maat]],<ref name=shorter/> judging the innocence of deceased souls.<ref name=wilkinson/> Additionally, orientalist Professor [[Wilhelm Max Müller|Wilhelm Max Muller]] describes Nehebkau to have personally guarded the gates of the [[Ancient Egyptian afterlife beliefs|underworld]].<ref name=bates/>

As a snake god, Nehebkau was also considered a dangerous, furious and fearsome demon.<ref name=klotz/>

In the [[Coffin Texts]], however, the ancient god [[Atum]] places his fingernail against a nerve in Nehebkau's spine, calming his chaotic and fearsome nature.<ref name=nageh/>

Throughout and following the Coffin Texts, Nehebkau is considered a benevolent and helpful deity who may be befriended by gods and men and enlisted into service.<ref name=shorter/> After this transformation, he appears as a servant and partner to the sun god Re,<ref name=nageh/> and is said to provide food and assistance to the deceased King in the afterlife.<ref name=pinch>{{Cite book|last=Pinch, Geraldine.|title=Handbook of Egyptian mythology|date=2002 |publisher=ABC-CLIO |isbn=1-57607-242-8|oclc=906990824}}</ref> In this position, he became increasingly powerful and important, eventually assuming Re's role as a King of The Sky.<ref name=nageh/>

It is in this peaceful form that he mostly appears in Egyptian mythologies,<ref name=shorter/> and he was often evoked as a protective god in religious rituals, [[amulet]]s and spells.<ref name=shorter/>