Editing Nehebkau (section)

== Iconography ==
[[File:Nehebkau (snake deity) holding a wedjat eye MET LC-10 130 2440 EGDP023380.jpg|thumb|A wooden figure of Nehebkau from the [[Ptolemaic Kingdom|Ptolemaic period]] housed in the [[Metropolitan Museum of Art]]. He appears with a human body and snake head and tail, holding a [[Eye of Horus|Wedjat eye]] as a symbol of protection.]]
Nehebkau is most often represented in [[Art of ancient Egypt|Ancient Egyptian art]], carvings and statues<ref name="massiera" /> as an anthropomorphised snake: half human and half serpent.<ref name="kalloniatis">{{Cite book|last=Kalloniatis, Faye|title=The Egyptian collection at Norwich Castle Museum : catalogue and essays|date=25 July 2019|publisher=Oxbow Books |isbn=978-1-78925-196-8|oclc=1049277490}}</ref> He is also commonly depicted as a [[falcon]] headed snake with human arms and legs and an [[Phallus|erect penis]], depicted as such in multiple [[hypocephalus|hypocephali]].

However, early texts and mythologies usually represented Nehebkau as a full serpent<ref name=wilkinson/> with a long body and multiple coils.<ref name=pinch/> It is in this form that often appears on the sides of divine thrones, likely in reference to his protective qualities and powerful nature.<ref name=wilkinson/>

In later periods, he appeared in a semi-anthropromophised form, as a man with the head and tail of a serpent<ref name=pinch/> or a serpent with human arms or legs.<ref name=pinch/> In this form he appears on amulets, small statues and plaques,<ref name=wilkinson/> with his arms "raised to the mouth to proffer small vessels for food or drink," reflecting his function in the afterlife.<ref name=shorter/>

Nehebkau was occasionally shown as having two heads on two separate necks, and a third head on his tail supported by the figure of a man.<ref name=nageh/> Egyptologist Magali Massiera suggests that the two heads could be a representation of his dual good and evil nature,<ref name=massiera/> as well as his ability to simultaneously attack from two directions at once.<ref>{{Cite book|last=Shamahd|first=Ahmid|title=Reaffirmation of the Revelation|publisher=Xlibris Corporation|year=2013}}</ref> In one artifact from Heliopolis, he appears as an eight headed snake.<ref name=nageh/>

These detailed descriptions of his appearance were common for guardians of the underworld, and were done so Nehekbau could be recognised by the deceased.<ref name=lucarelli/> Occasionally, Nehebkau is represented with the features of other snake demons: such as multiple heads and wings.<ref name=lucarelli/>