Here are some frequently asked questions about the ancient Egyptian goddess Nut:

Who is Nut in ancient Egyptian mythology?

Nut is the goddess of the sky, often depicted as a woman arching over the earth, her body covered in stars. She represents the canopy of the heavens and is associated with the night sky.

How is Nut typically depicted in Egyptian art?

Nut is usually shown as a woman arching over the earth with her hands and feet touching the ground. Her body is often adorned with stars, representing the night sky.

Who were Nut’s parents and siblings?

Nut’s parents were Shu, the god of air, and Tefnut, the goddess of moisture. Her brother and consort was Geb, the god of the earth.

What is Nut’s connection to the sun god Ra?

According to one myth, every evening, Nut would swallow the sun, Ra, and each morning, she would give birth to him again, symbolizing the cycle of sunset and sunrise.

Why were Nut and Geb separated?

They were in a constant embrace, which prevented the creation of life and light. To allow life to flourish and the sun to move, Shu separated them, lifting Nut above him, creating the atmosphere.

Who are Nut’s children?

Nut is the mother of Osiris, Isis, Set, Nephthys, and in some versions, Horus the Elder.

Why did Nut defy Ra by becoming pregnant?

Nut and Geb’s love was deep, and despite Ra’s decree that she couldn’t give birth on any day of the year, she wanted children. With Thoth’s help, she found a loophole and was able to give birth on the “epagomenal” days, which were outside the official calendar.

What role does Nut play in the afterlife?

Nut was seen as a protective figure. The deceased were often said to be “under the protection of Nut,” and her image appears on the inside lids of many coffins, embracing the deceased.

How was Nut celebrated or worshiped?

Nut didn’t have specific temples dedicated to her like some other deities, but her image and stories were prevalent in tomb paintings, funerary texts, and coffin designs. Rituals concerning the dead often invoked her protective aspect.

What is Nut’s significance in Egyptian cosmology?

Nut’s body represented the entirety of the sky, and her daily birth of the sun reinforced the cyclical nature of time in ancient Egyptian cosmology.