Apophis

Egyptian Cosmic Serpent of Darkness and Chaos

Apophis (Apep) is the cosmic serpent of darkness, chaos, and evil in ancient Egyptian mythology. Described as a massive serpent about 16 meters long, every night when the sun god Ra sails his solar boat (Mandjet) through the underworld, Apophis attacks to prevent the sunrise. Ra and his allies (Set, Bastet, Maat) battle Apophis nightly to slay him, but he is reborn each night, perpetuating the eternal cosmic war — this is why Egyptians celebrated each sunrise as a divine victory. Solar eclipses, earthquakes, lightning, and floods were interpreted as Apophis's temporary victories. Egyptian priests performed annual 'Apophis-slaying' rituals, making and burning his effigies. This is the oldest archetype of the 'great serpent of darkness' myths in all civilizations.