Aker, alternatively referred to as Akeru, ranks among the ancient Egyptian deities symbolizing the earth. Historical accounts suggest that his veneration predates that of other recognized earth gods like Geb. Aker embodied the divine essence of the horizon and served as the keeper of the eastern and western horizons in the afterlife. It was Aker’s role to grant passage through the earth’s gate for the pharaoh to enter the Amduat, or Underworld.
As a representation of the horizon, Aker symbolized the transition between days. Initially, he was illustrated as a slim strip of land flanked by lion heads looking away from each other, denoting boundaries. Over time, these heads evolved into complete lion figures, with one signifying “yesterday” and the other “tomorrow.” Among Aker’s titles was “He who looks both forward and behind.” Frequently, the hieroglyph indicating the horizon—a sun disc set between two mountains—was situated between the lions. In more recent depictions, Aker could manifest as two unified sphinx-like torsos with human heads.
Aker’s significance further extended to his guardianship over the passageways to the underworld, overseeing transitions from darkness to light. He facilitated the entrance and departure of Re’s sun barque as it traversed the underworld during dusk and dawn. The deceased would seek Aker’s intercession to access the underworld passages. It was believed that he would purify the dead’s body, absorbing any poison or venom, ensuring they were fit for the afterlife.
Additionally, Aker held the crucial task of restraining the celestial serpent Apophis, following its dismemberment by the goddess Aset. Apophis relentlessly attacked Re’s sun barque every evening while it journeyed through the Underworld towards dawn. The gods alongside the righteous dead aided Re in vanquishing the serpent. Aker would then provide safe passage for Re’s vessel as it moved from the west to the east throughout the night.
The Egyptians held a deep spiritual connection to nature and regarded eclipses and cloudy skies with alarm, fearing that Re might struggle to elevate his sun barque back into the sky. Apophis was always blamed for these disturbances, as he possessed the ability to regenerate. During the New Kingdom, texts emerged, such as The Book of Overthrowing Apophis, derived from earlier oral traditions. Egyptologist Geraldine Pinch described this as an invocation of the most feared deities within the Egyptian pantheon to engage in combat against the chaos serpent, obliterating all aspects of its existence, including its body, name, shadow, and magic. Priests reenacted this eternal struggle, creating visual representations or models of Apophis, which were then cursed and destroyed through methods like stabbing, trampling, and burning.
Due to the Egyptians’ belief that Aker guarded the dawn and dusk gates, twin lion statues were commonly placed at the entrances of palaces and tombs as protectors against evil spirits and harmful entities. This practice was later adopted by the Greeks and Romans, and even today, it is common to see twin lions at the entrances of grand homes and buildings. Their significance varies depending on their location. For instance, outside the New York Public Library, two well-known marble lions symbolize Patience and Fortitude. Among Buddhists, lion statues are seen as harbingers of peace and prosperity, while in European cultures, they often represent power and prestige.
Although Aker lacked dedicated temples due to his connections with ancient Earth powers, the legacy of his guardian lions prevails worldwide.
