Hapi (Ancient Egyptian: ḥꜥpj) (also spelled Hapy) was the god of the annual flooding of the Nile in ancient Egyptian religion. The flood deposited rich silt on the river's banks, fertilizing the soil and enabling the Egyptians to grow crops. Hapi was greatly celebrated among the Egyptians. Some of the titles of Hapi were "Lord of the Fish and Birds of the Marshes" and "Lord of the River Bringing Vegetation". Hapi is typically depicted as an androgynous figure with a prominent belly and large drooping breasts, wearing a loincloth and ceremonial false beard.

Mythology

The annual flooding of the Nile occasionally was said to be the Arrival of Hapi. The cult of Hapi was mainly located at the First Cataract named Elephantine. His priests were involved in rituals to ensure the steady levels of flow required from the annual flood. At Elephantine the official nilometer, a measuring device, was carefully monitored to predict the level of the flood, and his priests must have been intimately concerned with its monitoring.

Hapi was not regarded as the god of the Nile itself but of the inundation event. and the "lord of Neper", the god of grain.

Iconography

thumb|Hapi, bearing offerings

Although male and wearing the false beard, Hapi was pictured with pendulous breasts and a large stomach, as representations of the fertility of the Nile. He was usually given blue when Egyptologists such as Bassam el-Shammaa began to dispute it.

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File:Hapi Dios egipcio.webp|An engraving of Hapi

File:Luxor Museum Statuen Haremhab Atum 08.jpg|Statues of King Horemheb depicting Hapi, 18th Dynasty

File:Upper part of a statue of the Nile God Hapi, granite. From Faiyum, Egypt, 12th Dynasty, c. 1800 BCE. Neues Museum.jpg|Upper part of a statue of the Nile God Hapi. From Faiyum, Egypt, 12th Dynasty, c. 1800 BCE. Neues Museum, Berlin

File:Limestone slab showing the Nile flood god Hapy. 12th Dynasty. From the foundations of the temple of Thutmose III, Koptos, Egypt. The Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology, London.jpg|Limestone slab showing the Nile God Hapi. 12th Dynasty. From the foundations of the temple of Thutmose III at Koptos, Egypt. Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology, London

File:5EGP(2).png|Hapi is featured on the £E5 note.

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References

Works cited

Further reading

  • Hapi, God of the Nile, Fertility, the North and South
  • Egyptian God - Hapi: Father of the gods
  • Ancient Egypt: The Mythology - Hapi