Nut, the celestial mother goddess, holds a significant place in ancient Egyptian mythology. Pronounced 'Noot,' her name 'Nuit' translates to 'night.' Nut was revered as a mother-goddess with numerous offspring. The hieroglyph for her name, often depicted as a water pot, is also believed to symbolize a womb. This article delves into the rich mythology surrounding Nut, her role in the cosmos, and her influence on ancient Egyptian culture.
Nut was the daughter of Shu, the god of air, and Tefnut, the goddess of moisture. In Egyptian art, she is frequently portrayed as a dark, star-covered woman, arching over the earth with her body. Her arms and legs were imagined as the pillars of the sky, touching the four cardinal points at the horizon. Beneath her lay Geb, the earth god, often depicted looking up at his sister-wife.
Nut was also associated with the cow goddess Hathor. In the Pyramid Texts, Geb is referred to as the "Bull of Nut." As a great solar cow, Nut was believed to carry Ra, the sun god, into the heavens on her back after he retired from his earthly rule. Additionally, she was depicted as a giant sow suckling piglets, representing the stars she swallowed each morning before dawn.
Nut played a crucial role in the daily cycle of the sun and moon. During the day, Nut and Geb were separated, but each evening Nut descended to meet Geb, causing darkness. If storms occurred during the day, it was believed that Nut had slipped closer to the Earth. Nut was seen as the barrier separating chaos from the ordered cosmos.
The sun god Ra was said to enter Nut's mouth at sunset, travel through her body during the night, and be reborn from her vulva each morning. This cycle symbolized the sun's journey across the sky. In one myth, Ra sailed up Nut's legs and back in the Atet (Matet) boat until noon, then continued his journey in the Sektet boat until sunset. Nut's connection to the underworld, resurrection, and the tomb made her a protector of the dead.
Despite her significance, Nut had no specific temples or cult centers. However, several festivals were dedicated to her, including the 'Festival of Nut and Ra' and the 'Feast of Nut.' Nut was considered the mother of five children born on the five extra days of the Egyptian calendar, known as the 'five epagomenal days of the year.' These days were celebrated throughout Egypt:
In the Book of the Dead, Nut is depicted as a mother-figure to Ra, who at sunrise was known as Khepera, taking the form of a scarab beetle. At noon, he was Ra at his full strength, and at sunset, he was known as Tem (Temu, Atem), old and weakening. Nut was often painted on the inside lid of sarcophagi, protecting the dead until they could be reborn in their new life.
Nut, the mother goddess of ancient Egypt, was a symbol of the sky, the cycle of the sun, and the protector of the dead. Her mythology reflects the ancient Egyptians' understanding of the cosmos and their beliefs about life, death, and rebirth. Nut's enduring legacy continues to captivate those interested in ancient Egyptian culture and mythology.
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