Wepwawet
From Wepwawet Wiki
Contents |
Name
Wepwawet (wehp-wah-weht)
|
Opener of Ways
Names - Alternate
- Upuaut
- Wep-wawet
- Ophois
Appearance
Wepwawet is one of several Egyptian deities to take the form of a canid, usually a wolf or a jackal. Wepwawet is either shown as a jackal-headed man or as a full jackal.
Parents
Alternately, his birth place is alleged to be in Per-nu through evidence in a shrine of Wadjet there.
Consorts
Children
Epithets
- (One with) sharp arrow more powerful than the gods
- Opener of the ways
Roles
Wepwawet was originally a war god. Wepwawet was seen as a scout, going out to clear routes for the army to proceed forward, thus his name, which means opener of the ways, indeed, Wepwawet is depicted on the shedshed, a standard that led armies to battle.
In some versions of the Book of the Dead, it was Wepwawet's adze which is used in the "opening of the mouth" ceremony. Occasionally he is elevated to pilot of Ra's sunboat as it passes through the underworld at night, safeguarding the solar deity's journey until dawn.
In Memphite theology, Wepwawet is called "Opener of the Body". This leads to an association with Wepwawet and the process of birth -- making his title "Opener of Ways" associated with opening the way from the womb.
Worship Centers
Wepwawet is one of the early Kemetic gods, appearing as early as the third dynasty. Originally, his cult center was in Lycopolis (Asyut), literally Wolf City. Later on, he was also worshipped in Abydos (Abdju) when his roles were assumed by Anubis (Yinepu), until Osiris (Wesir) took over Yinepu's roles.
Festivals
Creation Story
Myths
Originally Wepwawet was a god of Upper Egypt with no parents mentioned. For what is generally considered to be propaganda purposes of the Pharaohs, a later mythos was briefly circulated claiming that Wepwawet was born at the sanctuary of Wadjet, a location in the heart of Lower Egypt.[1]
Art
Ancient
Modern
Hymns
Ancient
Modern
Offerings
Food/Drink
- Dark Rum
- Dark, bitter chocolate
- Dried cranberries
- Cranberry juice
- Chai
- Heavily spiced foods
- Red meat
- Strongly flavored foods
- Cheese (feta)
Items
- Arrows and spears
- Cigars
- Clove cigarettes
- Pipe tobacco
- Dice
- Playing cards
- Divinatory tools
- Drums and drumming
- Coins
- Boxes
- Feathers
Stones
- Copper
- Hematite
- Howlite
- Obsidian (Black & Apache Tears)
- Snowflake Obsidian
- Selenite
- Sodalite
- Tiger iron
Scents
- Strongly scented incense or oils (e.g. cedar, myrrh, cypress, clove)
- Dark Myrrh
Colours
- Grey
- Brown
- Red
- Dark purple
- Silver
Flowers
Prayer Associations
The Names of Netjer are not static divinities like their counterparts in other cultures (i.e., Goddess of Love, God of War, Goddess of Sex, etc). They are not simply relegated to their specific spheres of influence and are therefore not powerless beyond those realms. The ancients had a healthy and regular relationship with their gods and thus asked of their particular deity anything they may have needed or wanted. However, there are many things within Wepwawet's spheres of influence that He may be very proficient in helping you with:
- New paths or opportunities
- Insight into ones own psyche
- Guidance, especially in spiritual or emotional matters
- Courage in new situations
