Nut, goddess of Egypt

Ancient Egyptian Gods and Goddesses for kids - Nut

The Mythology & History of ancient Egypt surrounding the Egyptian god Nut, the goddess of the sky

 

Nut, goddess of Egypt
Discover the legends and myths and religious beliefs surrounding Nut, the Egyptian goddess of the sky and a symbol of resurrection and rebirth. She is often shown in pictures clothed in blue, that is studded with stars. Nut (pronounced Noot) was the daughter of the twin gods Shu and the goddess Tefnut. The goddess Nut and her brother and consort Geb, had four children named Osiris, Isis, Set and Nephthys. Nut was also referred to as "She who Bore the Gods" in reference to her famous children Osiris, Isis, Set, and Nephthys. Additional, interesting facts and information about ancient Egypt, and its mysterious gods and goddesses, is also available via:

Who was Nut?
Nut was the Egyptian goddess of the sky and and also carried symbols representing resurrection and rebirth. Sometimes she was depicted as stretched across the skies with stars forming her clothing, her elongated legs and outstretched arms symbolized the four pillars of the heavens.

Facts about Nut
The following facts and profile provides a fast overview of Nut:
 

Nut Profile & Fact File

Egyptian Name:
 
Nut
 
Role & Function:The function of Nut is described as being the goddess of the sky
 
Status:Nut was a member of the Ennead, the name given to the nine original, most important, Egyptian Gods and Goddesses of the cosmogony of Heliopolis (the birthplace of the Gods)
 
Symbols:The sky, stars, the sycamore and ladder. She is depicted with a small water pot or container on her crown
 
Alternative Names:Neuth or Newet
 
Name of Consort:Geb
 
Name of Father:Shu
 
Name of Mother:Tefnut
 
Names of Children:Osiris, Isis, Set and Nephthys
 
 

The Egyptian Gods and Goddesses

 

Nut in Ancient Egyptian Mythology
Nut, the Egyptian goddess of the sky, featured in the stories, myths and legends in Egyptian Mythology.
According to ancient Egyptian mythology Nut and her consort and brother Geb, were totally inseparable leaving no space between the sky and the earth for Atum Ra to continue creating. On the orders of Atum, the father of Nut and Geb called Shu, forcibly separated the brother and sister, who were also husband and wife.  Shu raised the goddess Nut up to form the sky. In the following picture Shu is depicted standing over the figure of Geb, struggling to get up to reach Nut. Shu prevents him and raises his arms to hold up the giant symbolic figure of Nut depicted as the sky.

Nut, Shu and Geb

The Goddess Nut - Protector of the Dead
As the mother of Osiris, Isis, Set and Nephthys Nut was regarded as the mother of the gods and of all things living. Nut and her husband Geb were considered to be the givers of food and water, not only to the living but also to the dead, which is why Nut is depicted with the water container on her head. In this role she is seen as a protector of the dead.

Egyptian Goddess Nut

Nut is depicted in the picture with protected wings holding the ankh in both hands. The ankh was the key of life, that represented eternal life. The picture therefore shows that the goddess Nut is offering her protection to the deceased.

Depictions and Symbols of Nut in Egyptian Art
The pictures and depictions of Nut in ancient Egyptian art can be found in the tombs, temples, manuscripts and hieroglyphics, artefacts and relics of ancient Egypt. The people of ancient Egypt were able to recognise and distinguish their numerous gods and goddesses by their depictions in art understanding the meanings of colors and symbols which conveyed information about the deity. The following facts and information will enable you to decipher the art of ancient Egypt and understand the meanings behind the pictures of Nut.

Symbols of Nut

  • Crown, or headdress, is depicted as a water container reflecting her duty to provide water to the living and the dead
  • One of her symbols was the sycamore tree which symbolized protection, divinity, eternity, and strength and is referred to in the Egyptian "Book of the Dead"
  • Nut is often depicted holding the Ankh, the key of life, that represented eternal life
  • She often holds the 'was' sceptre, a long staff, topped with a symbolic animal head, believed to embody magical powers, symbolizing divine power and an emblem of authority
  • Nut is sometimes described and depicted as a protective winged goddess with beautiful outspread wings attached to her arms or forming part of her dress
 

Nut

  • Egyptian Goddess of the Sky
  • Interesting research information and Facts about the Egyptian god Nut
  • Nut, the Egyptian goddess of the sky
  • Stories and Legends in Egyptian Mythology associated with Nut
  • Facts and information about the gods and deities of of classical Egypt for schools, research and kids
  • Nut, the Egyptian goddess of the sky

The Egyptian Gods and Goddesses

 

Facts about Nut in Egyptian Mythology
Discover interesting information and research facts about Nut, the Egyptian goddess of the sky. The facts about Nut provides a list detailing fascinating additional info to increase your knowledge about Nut in Egyptian Mythology.

Mythology and Facts about Nut

Fact 1:One of her sacred symbols was the ladder called a maqet that was used by Osiris to enter her heavenly skies.
 
Fact 2:Her epithets included "Cover of the sky" and "She who protects"
 
Fact 3:The Pyramid Texts, the fore-runner to the Book of the Dead were full of prayers to the Goddess to provide protection for the dead
 
Fact 4:She is sometimes represented as a female along whose body the sun travels, and sometimes as a cow
 
Fact 5:The tree sacred to her was the sycamore
 
Fact 6:She was often painted on the inside lid of the sarcophagus in her protective role of the deceased who was able to look up at the personification of the sky.
 
Fact 7:As the goddess of the sky, she swallowed the sun in the evening and gave birth to it again in the morning
 
Fact 8:She was also represented as a cow, the form she took in order to carry the sun god Re on her back to the sky
 

The Sun Boat, or solar barge

The protective figure of Nut surrounds the Sun Boat of Ra

 

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