Aker : One of the early lion gods in Egyptian mythology, Aker, the god of land, is represented by two lions seated back to back or two lions supporting the symbol for the horizon with the sun rising. The two lions symbolize the sun setting in the west and the sun rising in the east. Because of this, Aker is viewed as an ally of Re, when Re makes his nightly journey through the Underworld. Aker is mentioned in the Pyramid Texts as the earth god who guards the gates to the Underworld.

In the Book of the Dead, he is shown in the solar boat accompanying Re during his nightly journey. In the Fifth Hour, the Amduat, which helped the deceased make the journey through the Underworld, Aker appears as the two-headed lion god carrying sand upon his back. In The Book of Caverns, another religious text, the sun god Re travels across Aker as he continues his journey through the caverns.

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Egyptian Mythology A to Z, Third Edition – Written by Pat Remler – Copyright © 2000, 2006, 2010 by Pat Remler