Mehen
In the following article we will explore the impact that Mehen has had on different aspects of today's society. From its origin to its relevance today, Mehen has been a topic of interest for researchers, experts and the general public. Throughout this article, we will analyze the different perspectives related to Mehen, as well as the implications it has had in areas such as technology, culture, politics and economics. Additionally, we will examine how Mehen has influenced and changed the way we interact, communicate and navigate in today's world. Without a doubt, Mehen has left a significant mark on our society and will continue to be a relevant topic for the future.
| Mehen | |
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 Mehen surrounding Ra, in the form of a man with a ram head, on his Solar Barque |
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In Egyptian mythology, the name Mehen (Coptic: Ⲙⲉϩⲉⲛ), meaning 'coiled one', referred to a mythological snake-god and to a board game.[1]
Snake god
The earliest known references to Mehen occur in the Coffin Texts.[2] Mehen is a protective deity who is depicted as a snake which coils around the sun god Ra during his journey through the night, for instance in the Amduat.[3]
In the German-Egyptian dictionary by R. Hannig,[4] it is said that the Mehen (mḥn) or the Mehenet (mḥnt) snake is equivalent to the Ouroboros.
Relationship between snake-god and Mehen game
The precise relationship between the deity and the Mehen game is unknown.[citation needed] For instance, it is unknown whether the game derives from the mythological character or the character derives from the game.[citation needed]
It is known that the object known as mehen depicts a game rather than a religious fetish as demonstrated in tomb paintings, game boards, and equipment.[citation needed] The rules and method of playing the game are unknown, although rules have been created in modern times based on assessments of how it may have been played.[citation needed]
References
- ^ Discussion of the game by University College London
- ^ The Complete Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt by R. Wilkinson ISBN 0-500-05120-8
- ^ The Ancient Egyptian Books of the Afterlife by Erik Hornung ISBN 0-8014-8515-0
- ^ Hannig, R. 1995. Die Sprache der Pharaonen: Großes Handwörterbuch Ägyptisch-Deutsch
External links
- Mehen at BoardGameGeek
- Mehen boardgame with suggested playing rules at Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery schools liaison
