Dictionary of all Scriptures & Myths

CROCODILE 

A symbol of the lower desires and passions which are of the lower nature on the astral plane (water).

In the seventh division of the Tuat,-

"In front of the goddesses of the Hours is an enormous crocodile called Ab-sha-am-Tuat, which is described as Osiris the Eye of Ra,' The crocodile stands upon a long funeral mound, out of the end of which. . . appears a bearded human head, i.e. the head of Osiris.' Of the crocodile the text says: 'He who is in this picture is Ab-shaw, and he is the warden of the symbols of this city. When he heareth the voice of the boat of Ra, which is addressed to the Eye in his cheek, the head which is in his dominion maketh its appearance, and then it eateth its own form after this great god hath passed it by. Whosoever knoweth this picture, Ab-shaw shall not devour his soul.'" - BUDGE, Egypt. Heaven and Hell, Vol. I. pp. 159–60.

The goddesses of the hours signify the emotions or virtues. The crocodile is a symbol of the desire-nature used as an instrument of the Logos (Osiris). The funeral mound indicates the Divine Sacrifice, for the symbol of the Logos appears from it. Spirit has been 22 buried or involved in Matter. Osiris is dead and buried but comes to life as evolution proceeds. "Osiris the Eye of Ra" signifies the manifest or perceptive aspect of Deity. God looks out, as it were, upon Nature by means of his instrument of manifestation.

The lower instincts and desires (Ab-shaw) rule the activities attached to this personal centre (city) of consciousness. When the experiences are dealt with in the causal-body (boat of Ra), then the qualities are transmuted as higher aspects (cheeks) of lower desires. The head appearing significs Divine action or birth in the soul. As the higher nature becomes active, the lower nature (crocodile) becomes inert, and then disintegrates and disappears as illusion. Finally, whosoever has knowledge and shuns evil shall no longer be ruled by desire.

Dr. Budge states (The Mummy, p. 360) that on a cippus of Horus is a small scene in which is figured a crocodile with the divine emblem,- a circle and ram's horns,- on its head, and inscribed "Hidden is his name." This evidently signifies the incarnate "Lamb of God" (Osiris) hidden in the lower nature (crocodile). In this cippus Horus is shown standing upon two crocodiles. This may be taken as meaning,—the Higher Self triumphant over the lower desires and passions.

"The crocodile never touches persons who sail in a papyrus boat, as either fearing the anger of the Goddess Isis, or else respecting it on account of its having once carried her." - PLUTARCH, Isis and Osiris, § 18.

The "papyrus boat " is a symbol of the Scriptures, which serve as vehicle for Divine Wisdom (Isis). Doubt of the Scriptures by the lower nature (crocodile) never assails those whose religious emotions are ruled either by fear, or by love that is reverence.  

See Also

AFU-RA
BOAT (Sektet)
LAMB OF GOD
LEVIATHAN
NEKHEBIT
OSIRIS
PAPYRUS
UTCHAT