Nut in Egyptian Mythology: Myths, Legends, and Powers

In ancient Egyptian mythology, the celestial tales of the stars often revolve around Nut, the goddess of the sky. This blog post explores who Nut is, her myths and legends, symbols, powers, relationships, and legacy.

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Nut is the Egyptian goddess of the sky, a central figure in the pantheon of ancient Egyptian deities. She embodies the heavens and is considered the personification of the sky itself. Nut is usually depicted as a woman arching over the earth, her body adorned with stars, symbolising her domain over the night sky.

Nut is primarily the goddess of the sky. She plays a role in maintaining the balance of the universe by separating the chaotic waters of Nun from the orderly world below. Nut's responsibilities include swallowing the sun god Ra each evening and giving birth to him each morning, thus controlling the cycle of day and night.

Nut is surrounded by captivating myths that explain her divine role and her relationships with other gods. Let's explore the key legends that highlight Nut's importance in Egyptian mythology.

According to Egyptian mythology, Nut is the daughter of Shu, the god of air, and Tefnut, the goddess of moisture. She is married to her brother Geb, the god of the earth. Ra, the sun god, cursed Nut to prevent her from giving birth on any day of the year, fearing a prophecy that one of her children would overthrow him. However, Thoth, the god of wisdom, devised a clever plan. He gambled with the moon god Khonsu, winning enough moonlight to create five extra days. These days, known as the Epagomenal Days, allowed Nut to give birth to five children: Osiris, Isis, Set, Nephthys, and Horus the Elder.

Each evening, Nut swallows Ra as he travels through her body during the night. By morning, she gives birth to him again, symbolising the dawn. This daily cycle represents the eternal renewal and rebirth, a fundamental concept in Egyptian mythology.

Ra ordered Shu to separate Nut and Geb, creating the space necessary for life to thrive between the sky and the earth. Shu held Nut high above Geb, preventing them from being together and maintaining cosmic order.

Nut's symbols reflect her divine role as the goddess of the sky. Each symbol carries deep significance and highlights different aspects of her celestial responsibilities.

Nut's powers are extensive and reflect her role in maintaining the balance of the universe. Her abilities are vast and impactful, both in the celestial realm and in the world below.

Nut is the daughter of Shu, the god of air, and Tefnut, the goddess of moisture. Her siblings include Geb, the earth god, with whom she shares a unique and powerful bond.

At the heart of Nut’s mythological narrative is her union with Geb, the god of the earth. This divine relationship represents the intimate connection between the sky and the earth, a powerful symbol of cosmic unity.

Despite their bond, the relationship between Nut and Geb is marked by separation. Ordered by Ra and enforced by Shu, the god of air, Nut and Geb are kept apart to maintain the balance of the universe. This separation is both a physical and symbolic act, ensuring the space necessary for life to exist between the sky and the earth.

Their love, though physically divided, remains a powerful representation of the intertwined destinies of the heavens and the earth. The separation is essential for the cosmic order, illustrating the sacrifices made for the greater good of creation.

The children of Nut and Geb are among the most significant deities in Egyptian mythology, each embodying different aspects of the divine realm and human existence.

Although not as worshipped as some of the other deities, Nut’s role as the goddess of the sky and protector of the earth ensured that her worship and legacy endured through the centuries.

While Nut did not have large temples dedicated solely to her, her presence was significant in many temple complexes and smaller shrines. Her images and depictions were often featured alongside other major deities, reflecting her importance in maintaining cosmic order. One notable site where Nut was worshipped is the Temple of Hathor at Dendera, where her images can be found among other protective and nurturing deities.

Statues and depictions of Nut have been discovered throughout Egypt, often in temple settings and on tomb walls. These images typically show her arching over the earth, her body adorned with stars, representing her domain over the sky. The unique artistry of these depictions highlights her importance in the cosmic balance and her role in the renewal of life.

These statues and images served as powerful symbols of protection and continuity, believed to embody Nut’s presence and ensure the order of the universe. They were placed in prominent locations to invoke her protective and nurturing essence.

To honour Nut, ancient Egyptians made various offerings to invoke her protection and blessings. These offerings often included food, drink, flowers, and symbolic items such as small statues or amulets. Common offerings included bread, beer, and water, reflecting Nut’s nurturing and life-sustaining nature.

In modern times, those who feel a connection to Nut might offer symbols of renewal and protection, such as flowers, candles, or figurines representing the sky. Creating a small altar with images of Nut, along with celestial symbols and stones associated with her energy, like lapis lazuli and star sapphire, is a way to connect with her celestial and protective essence.

Every evening, Nut swallows Ra, the sun god, as he journeys through her body during the night. By morning, she gives birth to him again, symbolising the dawn and the daily cycle of renewal.

Ancient Egyptians depicted Nut as a woman arching over the earth, her body covered in stars, or as a cow. These representations emphasise her role as the goddess of the sky and her connection to the night and celestial bodies.

Ra cursed Nut to prevent her from giving birth on any day of the year, driven by his fear of a prophecy that one of her children would overthrow him. This curse was overthrown by Thoth’s clever intervention.

Thoth gambled with the moon god Khonsu, winning extra light and creating five additional days outside the regular 360-day year. These days allowed Nut to give birth to her children, despite Ra’s curse.

Horus the Elder is one of Nut’s children. However, the more commonly known Horus, Horus the Younger, is the son of Isis and Osiris, who are Nut’s children.

Geb and Nut were separated by Shu, the god of air, under Ra’s orders. This separation was necessary to create space for life to exist between the sky and the earth, maintaining the cosmic order.

If you’ve found Nut’s story intriguing and want to learn more about Egyptian gods and goddesses, consider enrolling in the Egyptian Mythology Diploma Course at Centre of Excellence. This fascinating course is available at a discounted price of £29 and offers an in-depth exploration of the rich and captivating ancient Egyptian culture.