The Bennu (Phoenix)

Ancient Egyptian Gods and Goddesses for kids - The Bennu (Phoenix)

The history of ancient Egypt and the significance of the Bennu

 

Bennu
Discover the history and religious beliefs surrounding the 'Bennu' was one of the most important religious
Egyptian Symbols in the mythology of ancient Egypt, symbolizing resurrection and the rising sun. The 'Bennu' Bird was believed to represent the soul of the Ra, the Supreme Sun God and synonymous with the City of Heliopolis, Egypt. The name of the phoenix in Egyptian is 'bennu'.  An important artefact of Heliopolis, was the sacred Ished Tree, the Tree of Life which was the Seat of the Bennu Bird. The sanctuary of the Bennu was located in the Ra Sun Temple of Heliopolis. The beacon for the Bennu was believed to be a obelisk topped by a sacred  pyramid-shaped capstone called the Ben-Ben Stone.

Facts about the ancient Egyptian Bennu
The Bennu was an ancient Egyptian symbol and icon and was the mythological phoenix of Egypt. According to ancient Egyptian mythology the Bennu was a phoenix-like bird that sheltered in the Persea Tree, the Tree of Life, at Heliopolis.
 


The Bennu Bird Fact File


Name:

Bennu is the Egyptian word for Phoenix. The name 'bennu' derives from the Egyptian word “weben,” meaning “to rise brilliantly” or “to shine.”
 
DescriptionDescription: The Bennu bird is described as resembling an eagle with beautiful red and gold feathers
 
Representation in art:The sacred Bennu bird is often represented in ancient Egyptian art as a heron, that is characterized by two long feathers streaming from the back of the head
 
Symbol:The Bennu (Phoenix) was was one of the most potent symbols of ancient Egypt symbolizing resurrection and the rising sun. It was also associated with the rising of the Nile
 
Significance:The sacred Bennu bird (Phoenix) destroys itself in flames and then rises from the ashes.
 
Sanctuary of the Bennu:The Bennu was located in the Sun Temple of Atum Ra at Heliopolis.
 
 

The Egyptian Gods and Goddesses

 

Facts about the Bennu in Egyptian Mythology and History
Discover interesting information and research facts about the Bennu, the potent Egyptian symbol. The facts about the Bennu bird (Phoenix) provides a list detailing fascinating additional info to increase your knowledge about the Bennu bird in Egyptian Mythology and history.

Facts about the Bennu from Mythology and Egyptian History


Fact 1:

The phoenix-like Bennu bird is believed to be a divine bird returning to Egypt and the personification of the sun god Ra
 
Fact 2:The Sanctuary of the Bennu was housed in an open court yard in the Sun temple of Ra in Heliopolis
 
Fact 3:The beacon for the Bennu bird was believed to be a sacred obelisk topped by a sacred  pyramid-shaped capstone which was called the Ben-Ben Stone
 
Fact 4:The Tree of Life, also known as the Persea Tree or the Ished Tree, was the Seat of the Bennu Bird. The fruit of the Tree of Life gave Eternal Life and the knowledge of the 'divine plan', a map of destiny, a prophetic puzzle.
 
Fact 5:The Bennu bird was believed to visit the Temple once every 500 years
 
Fact 6:When the bird was 1461 years old it burnt itself to death
 
Fact 7:Before its death it built a nest giving it the power to rise from the ashes
 
Fact 8:According to ancient Egyptian mythology the Bennu, as the soul of Ra, appeared each morning in the form of the rising sun and was supposed to shine upon the world from the top of the Tree of Life.
 
Fact 9:The cry of the bird marked the beginning of time at the creation of the world. It was therefore strongly associated with the divisions of time: hours, days, nights, weeks and years
 
Fact 10:The Temple of Ra and the sanctuary of the Bennu bird in Heliopolis was well known for its time-keeping devices
 
Fact 11:The Bennu bird built its nest on top of the Ben-Ben stone, where it perished in flames.
 

Facts about the Bennu from Mythology and Egyptian History

Ra on the sun barque with the Bennu Bird

The Bennu Bird, depicted as a heron, on the Sun Boat of Ra

 

Bennu

  • Interesting research information and Facts about the ancient Egyptian Bennu (Phoenix)
  • The sacred bird of the ancient Egyptians
  • Egyptian Mythology associated with the Bennu
  • Facts and information about the gods and deities of of classical Egypt for schools, research and kids
  • Pictures, Description and fact sheet  for kids

The Egyptian Gods and Goddesses

 

Picture of the Bennu Bird
The Bennu was believed to be the soul of the Sun-God Ra. The picture of the sacred Bird assumes the symbols of the sun god Ra as follows:

  • The outspread wings are symbols of protection in both this life and the afterlife.
  • The head of a hawk with a solar disk on top is the common depiction of the the solar deity Ra Atum
  • At the feet of the bird are symbols of the Ankh. The Ankh was believed to embody magical powers and offer magical protection. The ankh symbolized physical life, eternal life, immortality and reincarnation
 

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