Who was the Goddess Nut in Egyptian Mythology?
Ancient Egyptians held the belief that the universe was abound with many gods. Those gods were what kept chaos from enveloping the entire world. Additionally, those gods played vital roles...
Nut (often pronounced as “Noot”) is the ancient Egyptian sky goddess, embodying the canopy of the heavens. She is one of the most prominent and enduring deities in Egyptian mythology, and her symbolism is both vast and significant.
Here are some of the primary symbols and attributes associated with Nut:
Nut is most frequently depicted as a woman arched over the earth god Geb (who is often shown as her brother and husband). Her body is often adorned with stars, signifying her role as the sky filled with celestial bodies.
Nut’s arched body, separating the heavens from the earth, represents the vault of the sky. Her fingers and toes are said to touch the four cardinal points, demonstrating her encompassing embrace of the world.
Nut is often associated with the journey of both the sun and the moon. It’s believed that she swallows the sun (i.e. the sun god Ra) in the evening and gives birth to it anew every morning. Similarly, she cradles the moon through its phases.
Nut was also symbolized as a sycamore tree, which was considered a symbol of protection. In some myths, she provided sustenance from her sycamore to the souls in the afterlife.
In some representations, Nut is depicted as a cow with a vase of water or papyrus reeds on her back. This links her to the creation myth where the sun first rises from between the horns of a celestial cow.
Nut was often painted on the inside lid of the sarcophagus, with her wings spread out in protection. This was to envelop the deceased in her protective embrace during their journey in the afterlife.
Revered as “The Deity Who Holds a Thousand Souls,” Nut was also thought to encompass the souls of the deceased within her celestial embrace.
In some depictions, Nut is shown with wings, which further emphasizes her protective qualities, acting as a shield against evil forces.
Occasionally, Nut is portrayed holding water pots, pouring water that turns into the stars, emphasizing her dominion over the night sky and its celestial bodies.
In the vast pantheon of Egyptian deities, Nut holds a special place as the protective sky mother, offering both solace and refuge to the gods, the deceased, and humanity at large. Her symbols emphasize her all-encompassing nature, her creative and rejuvenating powers, and her protective and nurturing aspects.
Ancient Egyptians held the belief that the universe was abound with many gods. Those gods were what kept chaos from enveloping the entire world. Additionally, those gods played vital roles...