Home › Glossary › Letter A

Apophis

Mythology
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

Want to hear it? Click the Listen button to hear the browser speak the word using text-to-speech!

The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

Chaos serpent that attacks Ra’s solar barque each night in the underworld

Detailed Definition
Apophis, embodiment of isfet (disorder), must be defeated daily by gods and spells to ensure the sun’s rebirth. He never dies but eternally threatens cosmic order. In poetry, Apophis symbolizes persistent evil, inner demons, and the necessary struggle to preserve light—frequently used in allegories of psychological or spiritual warfare.
Example
Example in poetry:
Apophis, the serpent of chaos who attacks Ra’s barque nightly; Poets depict Apophis as the embodiment of isfet—disorder and lies; Priests chant spells to stab and bind Apophis in the Duat; His defeat each dawn ensures the sun’s rebirth; Apophis’ roar shakes the underworld, yet he always falls; In allegorical verse, Apophis is the inner darkness we must conquer.
Additional Notes
Apophis (Apep) is the serpent embodiment of chaos who attacks Ra’s solar barque each night in the Duat; he represents entropy and must be defeated daily—poets can use Apophis as a symbol of persistent darkness, existential threat, or the necessity of constant vigilance against disorder.
Also Known As
Apep Apopis
Skip to main content