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In Egyptian
mythology, Mnevis (also spelt Mnewer)
was a manifestation of the Ka (life-force/power)
of the chief god, Atum-Ra, in the region
of Heliopolis. The origin and meaning
of its name is currently unknown. Since
the word Ka was also used to mean bull,
Mnevis was identified as being a living
bull. Thus, as a symbol of the sun god,
Ra, the Mnevis was
often depicted, in art, with a solar disc
between its horns.
A suitable bull was selected from the
area, and said to be the living Mnevis
bull, and was taken to a special temple,
where it was worshipped, and its movement
used as an oracle.
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Since the fertile soil of the Nile was so black
that the word for black (Khem) became the Egyptian
word for Egypt, and bulls in this region had
a tendency to black colouring, the bull selected
to be the Mnevis was traditionally completely
black, thus being referred to as Kemwer, meaning
great black (one). When a completely black bull
could not be found, they chose one that was
completely white, in contrast.
Eventually, it became identified as another form of the increasingly
more popular Apis, which had become
considered an avatar of Osiris.
Gods
and Goddesses Menu
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