Mnevis

**Mnevis**


 * Other Names:**

Mnewer, Kemwer, Wer-Mer, Meni, Merwer


 * Meaning of Name:**

"Great Black One"


 * Titles:**

"Lord of //Iunu//" (his main town of worship)

"Herald of Ra"


 * Hieroglyphics:**




 * Family:**

He was considered the living Ka (soul) of the god Atum, Min, or Ra.

Like the Apis, the Mnevis bull was a real, living animal, chosen from the herd and worshiped as a god. The Mnevis was held sacred by being completely black, pure white, or piebald, with massive shoulders and wheat ears on its body and tail. The cow that produced the bull was worshiped as a form of the goddess Hesat.

Aelain describes the Mnevis as having unique features: "He is sacred to the sun, while the Apis is sacred to the moon, and accordingly he bears a special mark to show he is beloved of the gods . . ." The Mnevis was considered to be an oracle, and the herald who made known the sun god’s wishes and decrees. He was provided with his own bovine harem (consisting of two wives representing the cow goddesses Hathor and Iusaas.) The Mnevis was honored with burial in a special cemetery, and its mummy was covered with gold leaf. Another ancient bull cult of Egypt was that of Buchis.

Egyptian Deities - M