Akhekh

Akhekh
An Akhekh pulling an archer's chariot over two crocodiles on the Metternich stele
Creature information
Other name(s)Axex, Akekhu
Similar entitiesHippogriff, Griffin, Dragon, Serpent
Origin
CountryAncient Egypt
HabitatDeserts

The Akhekh (also transliterated as Akekhu) is a legendary creature in Egyptian mythology and art. Ancient Egyptian myth writes of the Akhekh living in the deserts west of the Nile.

Etymology

The name comes from kkw, the Egyptian word for darkness.

Appearance

All descriptions of the creature have it as a quadruped with bird's wings, though different sources diverge: one description is that of an Oryx with a bird's wings and beak as well as serpent's tail, while French archaeologist Paul Pierret gave it in a book of his as a winged lion akin to the griffin of European mythology.

Some Egyptian traditions depict the Akhekh as a dragon-like creature with a serpentine shape and the snout of a crocodile, though other interpretations portray it with a bird-like head, resembling the griffin or hippogriff (and the axex may be the same as it). Additionally, it is often interpreted as a seclusive dragon or serpent of darkness, as well as a creature of the night. The term Akhekh has frequently been cited as an Egyptian term for dragons. A common trait of the Akhekh is that its body resembles an antelope and its head is adorned with three uraei (snake heads).

Role

The Akhekh was associated with the god Set, as well as his domains of darkness, the western desert, chaos, and water. Much like the Sha, it was either an ally of the god or an incarnation of Set. It also symbolised power and strength of the pharaoh during wartime, such as Ramesses II being compared to the Akhekh as he conquered the Hittites and terrorised them. The Metternich stele in particular depicts an Akhekh pulling an archer's chariot over two crocodiles.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 abookofcreatures (2021-02-01). "Akhekh". A Book of Creatures. Retrieved 2023-11-28.
  2. 1 2 3 Watkins, Sarah-Beth (2024). A History of Dragons Their Influence on Life and Culture. Pen and Sword History. p. 36. ISBN 9781399058858.
  3. ↑ Budge (2013-10-28). Gods Of The Egyptians - 2 Vols. Routledge. doi:10.4324/9780203040713. ISBN 978-0-203-04071-3.
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  5. 1 2 Massey, Gerald (1881). "A Book Of The Beginnings Vol 2". Williams & Norgate. 2: 58, 61, 150, 236, 631, 640, 655.
  6. 1 2 3 Krensky, Stephen (2020). The Book of Mythical Beasts and Magical Creatures. Dorling Kindersley Limited. p. 32. ISBN 978-0-2414-2395-0.
  7. 1 2 3 "Archaeologia: or, miscellaneous tracts relating to Antiquity". Society of Antiquaries of London: 361–362. 1884.