In a land like Egypt filled with serpents, the Ichneumon-- the sacred mongoose of the Nile--enjoyed a special status. Swift and clever, he alone was able to outwit the anger...
In a land like Egypt filled with serpents, the Ichneumon-- the sacred mongoose of the Nile--enjoyed a special status. Swift and clever, he alone was able to outwit the anger of the cobra. A statue like this might have been offered to the mongoose god in return for his protection from snakebite. Though we are perhaps in less danger from such things today, it could hardly hurt to have this charming creature on our side.