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Ancient Egypt / Religion / Gods /
Hapy



Hapy

Hapy

Double representation of Hapy.

Hapy

In Ancient Egyptian Religion, god of the annual Nile flooding. Although he was not the god of the Nile, he is in some contexts close to that dimension.

Mythology
Hapy defined as husband of Wadjet in Lower Egypt, and Nekhbet in Upper Egypt.
The annual flooding in June was said to be the "Arrival of Hapy." He is sometimes referred to as "Lord of the Fishes"; "Birds of the Marshes"; and "Lord of the River Bringing Vegetation". It has been suggested that Hapy was an older Egyptian name for the river Nile itself. Being linked to the central source of life in Egypt, Hapy is often given qualities linked with creation.

Iconography
Was usually represented as a bearded man with large, female breasts, a large belly and headdress of aquatic plants. This symbolized fertility and regeneration.
Hapy's representations can be confused with those of Taweret.

Worship
The main cult centres of Hapy were at Aswan and Silsila Mountain, 80 km down along the Nile. He was thought to have lived in caverns in the mountains near the 1st cataract.
When water levels and flooding caused smaller crops, Hapy was a central god of veneration.

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