In the area around the city of Thebes, there are certain serpents that are considered sacred. These snakes are very different from the dangerous kinds found elsewhere. They are small in size and completely harmless to humans. One of their most unusual features is that they have two small horns growing from the top of their heads The Sacred Hippopotamus of Papremis.
Because these serpents are sacred, they are treated with great respect. When one of them dies, it is not thrown away or ignored. Instead, its body is carefully buried inside the temple of Jupiter. This shows that the animal is closely connected to the god and is believed to be under divine protection. The Egyptians believe that even small creatures can be sacred if they are linked to the gods.
A Journey to Arabia in Search of Winged Serpents
On one occasion, I traveled to a place in Arabia that lies almost directly opposite the city of Buto in Egypt. The purpose of this journey was to learn more about the strange stories told about winged serpents. These creatures were said to appear every year, and I wished to discover whether any physical proof of their existence could be found.
When I arrived, I saw something truly remarkable. The ground was covered with serpent bones in numbers too great to describe. There were piles of backbones and ribs everywhere. Some heaps were large, others small, and some of medium size. The sight was astonishing and difficult to explain by ordinary means.
The Gorge of the Serpent Bones
The place where these bones were found lies at the entrance of a narrow gorge. On both sides of this passage are steep mountains. Beyond the gorge, the land opens into a wide plain that leads toward the great plain of Egypt. The position of this place seems important, as it forms a natural gateway between Arabia and Egypt Customized Private Turkey Tours.
According to local stories, this gorge is where a great yearly battle takes place.
The Legend of the Winged Serpents
The story told by the Arabians is that every spring, winged serpents fly from Arabia toward Egypt. These serpents are said to have wings like those of bats and travel in great numbers. However, they never reach Egypt.
As the winged serpents attempt to pass through the narrow gorge, they are met by flocks of birds called ibises. These birds attack the serpents and kill them all, preventing them from entering Egypt. The bones seen in the gorge are believed to be the remains of these destroyed serpents.
The Sacred Role of the Ibis
Both the Arabians and the Egyptians agree on one important point: it is because of this service that the ibis is held in such high honor in Egypt. By destroying the winged serpents, the ibis protects the land from danger. For this reason, the ibis is considered a sacred bird and is never harmed by the Egyptians.
The Egyptians believe that without the ibis, Egypt would be overrun by these flying serpents. Therefore, they treat the bird with great respect and gratitude.
Belief, Nature, and Sacred Meaning
Whether the story of the winged serpents is true or not, the belief itself reveals much about how the ancient people understood nature. Animals were not seen as ordinary creatures but as participants in a divine order. Birds, snakes, and other animals all played roles in protecting or threatening the land.
These stories also explain why certain animals were worshipped, protected, or feared. Through such beliefs, the Egyptians expressed their deep connection between the natural world and the gods who governed it.
