What animal form did the Ancient Egyptian god Apis take?

Answer 1

In Egyptian mythology, Apis or Hapis (alternatively spelt Hapi-ankh), was a bull-deity worshipped in the Memphis region.

By Manetho his worship is said to have been instituted by Kaiechos of the Second Dynasty. Hape is named on very early monuments, but little is known of the divine animal before the New Kingdom. He was entitled "the renewal of the life" of the Memphite god Ptah: but after death he became Osorapis, i.e. the Osiris Apis, just as dead men were assimilated to Osiris, the king of the underworld. This Osorapis was identified with Serapis, and may well be really identical with him: and Greek writers make the Apis an incarnation of Osiris, ignoring the connection with Ptah.

Apis was the most important of all the sacred animals in Egypt, and, like the others, its importance increased as time went on. Greek and Roman authors have much to say about Apis, the marks by which the black bull-calf was recognized, the manner of his conception by a ray from heaven, his house at Memphis with court for disporting himself, the mode of prognostication from his actions, the mourning at his death, his costly burial and the rejoicings throughout the country when a new Apis was found.

Apis was originally the Ka (power/life-force) of Ptah, the chief god in the area around Memphis. As a manifestation of Ptah, it was considered also to be a symbol of the pharaoh, embodying the qualities of kingship. Since Ka is also the word for bull, Apis was said to manifest itself as a real living bull, which, after death, reincarnated itself into a new bull.

The bull which matched these markings was selected from the herd, brought to a temple, given a harem of cows, and worshipped as an aspect of Ptah. His mother was believed to have been conceived by a flash of lightning from the heavens, or from moonbeams, and was also treated specially. At the temple, Apis was used as an oracle, his movements being interpreted as prophecies. His breath was also believed to cure disease, and his presence to bless those around with virility, and so he was given a window in the temple through which he could be seen, and on certain holidays was lead through the streets of the city, bedecked with jewelry and flowers.

Apis Bull
Immensely popular throughout Egyptian history, the cult of Apis was not that of all bulls, but rather of a special, carefully chosen individual animal. Apis (Hapi in Egyptian) was a live bull kept in the temple of Ptah, in Memphis. More than a sacred animal, Apis was the tangible, living, breathing expression of a primary god that could not be directly experienced in daily life. Apis served as an intermediary between humans and an all-powerful god (originally Ptah, later Osiris, then Atum). Through Apis, Egyptians could talk to the god, and even ask questions. The movements of Apis, interpreted as oracles, were thought to reflect the response of the god.

Within a complex religious system that might have felt far too abstract to the average Egyptian, Apis brought much comfort to the people as a god they could see and touch.

The Life and Death of Apis
The Egyptians’ quest for a new Apis was not unlike that of today’s Tibetans for a new Dalai Lama: when the Apis bull died, trained priests scoured the country to find his successor. According to Aelian, they looked for a bull that matched a list of twenty nine physical attributes, some of which were recorded by Herodotus

Answer 2

The Apis Bull was the representation of the Pharaoh. It portrayed his strength, courage, virility, and fighting spirit. An Apis bull has special markings on it. If it had these markings they were put in the best stables, fed the best food, and treated like divinity. This is the same idea of Native Americans "worshiping" the white buffalo. The bull was associated with Ptah and Osiris. The mother of the bull was Isis in her cow form. The festival of the Apis Bull would last for seven days and was celebrated mainly in Memphis.

Answer 3

A bull.

In Egyptian mythology, Apis or Hapis (alternatively spelt Hapi-ankh), was a bull-deity worshipped in the Memphis region. Hape is named on very early monuments, was entitled "the renewal of the life" of the Memphite god Ptah: but after death he became Osorapis, i.e. the Osiris Apis, just as dead men were assimilated to Osiris, the king of the underworld.

Apis was the most important of all the sacred animals in Egypt. Greek and Roman authors have much to say about Apis, the marks by which the black bull-calf was recognized, the manner of his conception by a ray from heaven, his house at Memphis with court for disporting himself, the mode of prognostication from his actions, the mourning at his death, his costly burial and the rejoicings throughout the country when a new Apis was found.

Apis was originally the 'Ka' which maens power/life-force of Ptah, the chief god in the area around Memphis. As a manifestation of Ptah, it was considered also to be a symbol of the pharaoh, embodying the qualities of kingship. Since Ka is also the word for bull, Apis was said to manifest itself as a real living bull, which, after death, reincarnated itself into a new bull.♥

Answer 4

I hope you find this information useful.

Apis in Greek and Egypt was the old bull god of Memphis and his cult was integrated with the well known triad Ptah-Sokar-Osiris. One bull was chosen from marks on its body and theologically he was considered to have been born by a virgin cow impregnated by the local creator god Ptah. The animal was well fed and all measures were taken for its well-being. When Apis was well the live- stock of the country was thought to be the same. After 25 years of care it was ritually slaughtered by drowning and the search for a new one began. Parts of the bull were then eaten in a sacramental meal and the rest of the body was embalmed. Worshipping bulls is known since cattle breeding began in around 7000 B.C. and was with time spread over the whole east Mediterranean region

Answer 5

I believe it was a bull deity worshipped in the Memphis region.

Answer 6

A Bull.