Not only that, but if the asteroid, which is named Apophis after an Egyptian god resembling a snake who sowed chaos and disorder, were to hit our planet, it would likely happen on Friday the 13th.

Child: What about this snake one? Ancient Egyptian person: You mean ‘Mehen’? It’s named after a god in the form of a snake. Oh yes! That’s very popular. Though I’m not keen on snakes myself.

The Uraeus snake also symbolised protection for pharaohs and everyday people. The Djed-Pillar represents stability in Egyptian hieroglyphs. It is associated with the creator god Ptah and Osiris ...