Aker, sometimes referred to as Akeru, ranks among the most ancient deities in the Egyptian pantheon, predating other earth gods like Geb in worship and reverence. He embodies the divine representation of the horizon and serves as the protector of the gates leading to the afterlife, facilitating the passage of the pharaoh into the Amduat (Underworld).
Aker symbolizes the transition between day and night, often depicted as a narrow strip of land flanked by two lion heads looking away from each other, embodying the concept of boundaries. Over the years, artistic interpretations evolved, transforming these heads into full lion figures, with one lion representing “yesterday” and the other “tomorrow.” One of Aker’s distinguished titles was “He who’s looking forward and behind.” The sun disk hieroglyph, depicting the horizon, frequently appeared between these lions, housed between two mountains. In later representations, Aker was sometimes illustrated as two sphinx-like figures merged with human torsos.
As the transitioning point from day to night, Aker played a vital role as the gatekeeper of the afterlife, ushering Re’s sun barque into and out of the underworld at twilight and dawn. The deceased sought Aker’s aid to open the pathways of the underworld, believing he could purify them by eliminating any hindrances such as poison or venom to ensure their vitality in the afterlife. A significant part of Aker’s role involved restraining the celestial serpent Apophis, whose defeat was crucial after the goddess Aset dismembered it. Apophis, an eternal threat to Re’s journey through the Underworld, was thwarted nightly with the assistance of divine beings and the righteous dead. Aker supported Re’s sun barque on his back, ensuring its safe passage from the west to the east throughout the night.
The ancient Egyptians held a deep-rooted belief in the divine nature of everything around them, making phenomena like eclipses and cloudy days a source of concern, as they were interpreted as signs of Re struggling to reclaim his sun barque into the sky. Apophis was consistently cited as the primary antagonist behind these troubles. During the New Kingdom, texts such as The Book of Overthrowing Apophis arose from traditional oral narratives, as detailed by Egyptologist Geraldine Pinch. These writings called upon the most fearsome deities in the Egyptian church to challenge the chaotic serpent, obliterating its essence, including its body, name, shadow, and magical powers. Priests would enact this mythic conflict, creating figures or drawings of Apophis, which were then cursed and vanquished through various means like stabbing, trampling, or burning.
Given Aker’s association with the morning and evening gates, twin lion statues were frequently positioned at the entrances of Egyptian palaces and tombs, acting as guardians against malevolent forces. This tradition was later embraced by the Greeks and Romans. The presence of twin lions at grand entrances persists even today, embodying various meanings across cultures. For instance, the iconic lions in front of the New York Public Library are named Patience and Fortitude, symbolizing strength and resilience. In Buddhist culture, lion statues signify prosperity and tranquility, while in European settings, they convey authority and nobility. Although Aker lacked his dedicated temples due to his ties to ancient elemental forces, his guardian lions remain a recognized symbol globally.
