Aker
Origin: Egyptian Mythology.
Appearance : First depicted as the torso of a lion with a widely opened mouth. Believed to be a double-headed lion, or two lions sitting back-to-back. Between the two lions the akhet symbol lies, of which the akhet is the Egyptian symbol of the horizon. Though they were sometimes shown with the akhet on their backs.
Location/Abode : In the 1st dynasty, appears under the kings Hor Aha and Djer. "An unfinished decorative palette from the tomb of Djer at Abydos shows Aker devouring three hearts." (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aker_(deity) ) The location of Aker's main cult center is unknown. His role is first described in king Teti's Pyramid Texts.
Characteristics : Ancient earth-god and death deity of Egypt. Also considered to be a protective deity. The two lions are called Sefer and Duaj, meaning "Tomorrow" and "yesterday". It's believed that Aker is possibly more ancient than Geb, another earth-god. Aker himself was often titled "He who's looking forward and behind."
Symbol : akhet.
Family : Unlisted.
Other Names : Akeru, Akerui.
Myths : Egyptian thought the gates of the morning and evening were guarded by Aker, usually placing statues of lions at the doors of their palaces or tombs. They were meant to guard households and tombs from evil spirits and malevolent beings. These statues were dubbed as "Spinxes". He protected the deceased king against Hemtet, Iqeru and Jagw. He would seal the deceased away from the poisonous breath of the snake demons. Geb joined and promoted Aker's work, from then on being connected with him. In few spells and prayers, he is also connected with Seth even though Seth was considered to be a wind deity, not an earth deity, unlike Geb who was connected with earth. In the Coffin Texts of Middle Kingdom period, Aker replaced Kherty, becoming the "ferryman of Ra in his nocturnal bark", in which case he protects the sun god during his nocturnal travelling through the underworld caverns. In the Book of the Dead, Aker "gives birth" to the god Khepri, after Aker has carried Khepri's sarcophagus safely through the underworld caverns. In other underworld scenes, Aker carries the nocturnal bark of Ra. During his journey, Aker is asked to hide the body of the dead Osiris beneath his womb, of which Geb protects him.
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