Editing Nehebkau (section)

== Worship ==
Although there was no specific priesthood associated with Nehebkau,<ref name=massiera/> scholars including Wilkinson consider it likely that he was widely worshipped in popular religion.<ref name=wilkinson/>

This worship was likely centred at his temple in [[Heracleopolis Magna|Herakleopolis]],<ref name=wilkinson/> although its exact location is rarely mentioned in sources.<ref name=massiera/> Nehebkau was also often associated with the [[Heliopolis (ancient Egypt)|Great Temple of Heliopolis]], where he may have had a funerary chapel, as well as a statue that dates back to the reign of [[Ramesses II|King Ramses II]].<ref name=nageh/>

Nehebkau was also depicted in many [[amulet]]s from the New Kingdom's [[Third Intermediate Period of Egypt|third intermediate period]] and later.<ref name=wilkinson/> These amulets were often found in [[Ancient Egyptian funerary practices|burials]], which indicates a belief that Nehebkau would protect the deceased through their journey to the underworld.<ref name=kalloniatis/> Kalloniatis also associates these amulets with Nehebkau's ability to sustain ka in spirits and nourish the deceased with food and drink in the afterlife.<ref name=kalloniatis/>

His image also appears on amulets designed to protect against poison, snake-bites and scorpion venom.<ref name=bane/>

=== Magic and Spells ===
Anti-snake spells are incredibly common in Egyptian texts, appearing in the [[Pyramid Texts]], [[Coffin Texts]] and the [[Book of the Dead]], alongside other spells designed to repel dangerous animals.<ref name=lucarelli/> Many magical objects are inscribed with scenes of benevolent deities protecting humanity from snakes.<ref name=pinch/>

After becoming associated with Ra, Nehebkau's name was often evoked in [[Ancient Egyptian religion#Magic|magical spells]] to function as a magical protector.<ref name=kalloniatis/> His image was depicted as a protective deity on some ivory wands.<ref name=shorter/>