Nut, also known as Nuit, is a prominent deity in ancient Egyptian mythology. She is revered as the goddess of the sky, stars, fertility, and the afterlife. Nut plays a critical role in Egyptian cosmology, representing the heavens and the eternal cycle of life, death, and rebirth.
Roles and Attributes
Nut is depicted as a woman whose elongated, star-covered body stretches across the sky, often supported by her father, Shu, the god of air. She is also frequently portrayed with cow’s horns or adorned with stars, symbolizing her role as the celestial canopy that shelters the earth and its inhabitants. As the goddess of the sky, Nut swallows the sun every evening and gives birth to it each morning, signifying the eternal cycle of renewal and regeneration.
Nut is deeply connected to fertility, both of the land and its people. Farmers invoked her favor to ensure bountiful harvests, and her presence in Egyptian myths emphasizes her life-giving and protective attributes. She was also closely associated with the afterlife, where she provided shelter and protection for the deceased, guiding them into the next world.
Nut was considered the wife of Geb, the god of the earth. Together, they were the parents of four pivotal deities: Osiris, Isis, Seth, and Nephthys. Their divine lineage significantly shaped Egyptian religious narratives and rituals.
Symbolism
Nut’s iconography is deeply symbolic and rich in meaning:
- Stars and Sky: Her starry body reflects her role as the personification of the night sky, cradling the cosmos.
- Cow’s Horns and Sun Disk: The horns, often seen atop her head, symbolize her nurturing and protective qualities, while the sun disk emphasizes her celestial authority.
- Arched Figure: Depictions of Nut’s arched figure, stretching from horizon to horizon, highlight her role as the barrier between the heavens and the earth, protecting the mortal realm below.
- The Swallowing and Birth of the Sun: Nut’s daily act of swallowing the sun and giving birth to it at dawn represents the cyclical nature of existence and reinforces her association with immortality and renewal.
Mythological Significance
Nut’s role extends across many aspects of Egyptian mythology. One of her most significant contributions is her role in the Osiris myth, as the mother of Osiris, Isis, Seth, and Nephthys. She is also seen as a barrier that separates chaos from order, maintaining the balance of Ma’at (cosmic order) by keeping the primordial waters of Nun at bay.
In funerary texts such as the Book of the Dead, Nut is depicted as a protector of the deceased, her arms stretched wide over the coffins to shield and guide the dead. Her promise to the departed was an eternal place among the stars in her body.
Cult and Worship
Nut was widely worshiped throughout Egypt, particularly in temples dedicated to her children, Osiris and Isis. She also featured prominently in burial practices. Coffin lids were often painted with her image, providing protection for the deceased and symbolizing their union with the heavens.
Her daily swallowing and rebirth of the sun was central to Egyptian cosmology and was celebrated in rituals honoring the eternal cycle of life.
Appearances in Modern Culture
Nut continues to inspire modern depictions of Egyptian mythology:
- Literature: Nut often appears in books on ancient Egyptian myths and histories, including The Egyptian Book of the Dead and modern retellings of Egyptian lore.
- Video Games: Nut’s imagery and symbolism feature prominently in games like Assassin’s Creed: Origins (2017), which delves into the mythological elements of ancient Egypt.