23-09-2024

The Beginning of the World

Creation from Chaos: In the beginning, there was only Nun (or Nu), the primordial
waters of chaos, representing limitless potential and the formless state of
existence. From Nun emerged the first land, called the Primeval Mound (Benben),
where creation would take place.
The Sun God Atum-Ra: The Egyptian creation myth often centers around the god
EGYPTIAN MYTHOLOGY Atum (or Atum-Ra), who is sometimes depicted as self-created or emerging from
the waters of Nun. Atum-Ra represented the sun and was believed to have
–By Soham Mukherjee created himself by uttering his own name into existence. He stood on the
Primeval Mound and began the process of creation.
Grade XI-H

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TABLE OF CONTENTS Shu and Tefnut

After Atum-Ra emerged from the primordial waters of Nun and stood upon the

01 Introduction 05
05 Set Primeval Mound, he sought to bring order to the chaotic waters and initiate the
process of creation. Atum-Ra, in his role as the sun god and creator deity, first
generated Shu and Tefnut, two vital deities who would help establish the
fundamental elements of the universe.
02 The Beginning
of the World
06 Isis Shu, the Air God: Shu was born as the personification of air and represented the
atmosphere that enveloped the world. His role was crucial in the cosmological
order, as he was tasked with separating the sky (Nut) from the earth (Geb). This
act of separation was necessary to provide space for life to thrive and for the
03 Geb and Nut 07 Horus cosmos to take shape. Shu's name itself means "emptiness" or "void," reflecting
his role in creating the space between Nut and Geb.
Tefnut, the Moisture Goddess: Simultaneously with Shu, Atum-Ra created Tefnut, the
goddess of moisture and humidity. Tefnut's name derives from the Egyptian word
04 Shu and Tefnut 08 Osiris "tft," meaning "to spit" or "moist," signifying her association with the life-giving
waters essential for creation and fertility. She was depicted as a lioness-headed
goddess or sometimes as a woman with the head of a lioness, symbolizing her
fierce protective nature.

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INTRODUCTION Geb and Nut

Egyptian civilization, one of the world's oldest, began around 3100 BCE with the Birth of Nut and Geb:
unification of Upper and Lower Egypt by King Narmer. Its history can be divided After the creation of Shu and Tefnut, Atum-Ra's children, the next generation of
into key periods: deities, Nut and Geb, were born. According to Egyptian mythology, Nut, the sky
1. Old Kingdom (2686–2181 BCE): Known for pyramid construction and centralized goddess, and Geb, the earth god, were not only siblings but also lovers whose
rule. union was essential for the continuation of creation.
2. Middle Kingdom (2055–1650 BCE): Period of reunification, cultural revival, and The Love of Nut and Geb: Nut and Geb were deeply in love and intertwined in a
territorial expansion. passionate embrace, with Geb lying beneath Nut as they shared an inseparable
3. New Kingdom (1550–1070 BCE): Egypt's peak with powerful pharaohs, such as bond. Their closeness symbolized the unity and harmony of the cosmos in its
Hatshepsut and Ramesses II, expanding borders and building grand monuments. earliest form, reflecting the primal forces of sky and earth coming together.
4. Late Period (664–332 BCE): Marked by foreign invasions and rule by Persians, Separation by Shu: However, their intimate embrace posed a challenge for the orderly
Greeks (Ptolemies), and Romans. structure of creation. To establish proper cosmic order and allow for the
5. Greco-Roman Period (332 BCE–395 CE): Blend of Egyptian and Hellenistic flourishing of life, their father Shu, the air god, intervened. With his strength and
cultures, ending with Roman rule. authority, Shu forcefully separated Nut and Geb, creating the necessary space
6. Medieval to Modern Egypt (641 CE–Present): Arab conquest, Ottoman rule, and between them. This act ensured that Nut could rise above Geb, forming the
later British occupation, leading to independence in 1952. distinct realms of sky and earth.
Each period saw advancements in art, architecture, and religion, shaping Egypt's
rich cultural heritage.

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 23-09-2024

Set Osiris
•God of Chaos and Desert: •God of the Afterlife:
•Set (or Seth) was a deity associated with disorder, storms, and the harsh desert •Osiris was a central figure in Egyptian mythology, known as the god of the
landscapes. afterlife, resurrection, and fertility.
•He symbolized the untamed forces of nature and was often depicted with the head •He symbolized renewal and the cycle of life, overseeing the judgment of souls in
of an unknown animal. the underworld.
•Brother and Adversary of Osiris: •Murder and Resurrection:
•Set was the brother of Osiris, Isis, and Nephthys, born from the union of Geb and •Osiris was murdered by his brother Set, who dismembered his body and scattered
Nut. the parts.
•He harbored jealousy and resentment towards Osiris, eventually murdering him out •With the help of his sister-wife Isis and their son Horus, Osiris was resurrected and
of a desire for power and kingship. became ruler of the underworld.
•Symbol of Disorder: •Symbol of Kingship and Order:
•Set came to embody chaos, infertility, and destruction in Egyptian mythology. •Osiris represented kingship, order, and the divine authority that governed Egypt.
•He was seen as a disruptive force, contrasting with the more benevolent and •His death and resurrection myth underscored themes of renewal and the eternal
orderly gods. cycle of life.

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Isis
•Goddess of Magic and Motherhood:
•Isis was a powerful goddess associated with magic, healing, and motherhood.
•She played a crucial role in Egyptian mythology as the wife and sister of Osiris,

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and the mother of Horus.
•Role in Resurrection:
•After Osiris’s murder, Isis searched for and reassembled his body parts, using her
magic to bring him back to life temporarily.
•Isis symbolized maternal devotion, protection, and the power of healing through
her actions to resurrect Osiris.

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Horus
•Sky God and Protector:
•Horus was the son of Isis and Osiris, often depicted as a falcon-headed deity
symbolizing the sky and kingship.
•He avenged his father Osiris by battling Set, eventually becoming the ruler of
Egypt.
•Symbol of Divine Kingship:
•Horus represented the ideal pharaoh and the continuity of royal authority in
Egypt.
•He embodied the triumph of order over chaos, justice, and the rightful rule of
Egypt's kings.