Apep

Egypt & North Africa

Apep is not a guardian dragon but a force of devouring darkness. In Egyptian cosmology, it rises each night against the solar journey of Ra, a vast serpent of chaos that must be resisted again and again.

Associated With

Night, eclipse, chaos, the underworld, cosmic threat

Atmosphere

In Egypt, the serpent waits in the dark beyond the sun's passage.

Print Museum Card Apep illustration

Name

Apep

Egyptian

Region

Egypt & North Africa

Ancient Egyptian ritual cosmology

Atlas Context

This entry is part of Where Dragons Dwell, an interactive atlas of dragon myths and sacred serpent traditions across world cultures.