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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.
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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