The Great Ennead

There were many such groupings in ancient Egypt, with different gods depending on the location and people worshipping them. Other groupings of four, eight, or nine gods were popular in cities such as Memphis, Thebes, and Hermopolis.

The Nine Ennead gods

• Atum

  Atum is one of the most important gods in ancient Egyptian mythology. Atum is the primal god associated with the setting sun and credited as the ancestor of all other deities. The name likely means "the all" or "the completed one," reflecting Atum's dual role as creator and ruler. Depicted in various forms, including a human king, snake, or with a ram's head. Despite later declines in importance, he retained significance in rituals surrounding the pharaoh's coronation and the afterlife.

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• Shu

  Shu, is a Egyptian god linked to peace, lions, air, and wind,. Created by Atum, Shu separates Earth and sky, embodying calm and Ma'at (balance). Depicted with an ostrich feather symbolizing lightness, he's associated with fog and clouds, earning the title of the wind. In Greek parallels, Shu aligns with Atlas. He and Tefnut, the initial cosmic elements, give rise to sky goddess Nut and Earth god Geb, crucial for manifest life. Often portrayed as a man or with a lion's head, Shu, as the sun god, wields the ankh, symbolizing life.

• Tefnut

  Tefnut is the god of moisture, moist air, dew and rain. She is the sister-consort of Shu, the air god. Married to her twin brother, she gives birth to Nut, the sky, and Geb, the earth. In the Heliopolitan myth, Atum's sneeze creates Tefnut and Shu, and other versions involve spitting and sneezing in procreation. Tefnut is depicted as a leonine deity or a human with a lioness head. Her cult centers were at Heliopolis and Leontopolis, worshipped with Shu as lions. In mythology, Tefnut, connected to the Eye of Ra, displays a wrathful aspect and escapes to Nubia in a rage.

• Geb

  Geb is the god of the earth.Geb is known by various names like Qeb and Keb.Geb's significance in the afterlife is noted, influencing the journey of Egyptian souls. Temples dedicated to him, particularly at Heliopolis, highlight his importance. Legends unravel the separation of Geb and Nut, the formation of the sky, earth, and seas, along with his connection to the goose symbol. Depictions showcase Geb with diverse crowns and symbols, emphasizing his link to the earth's fertility.

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• Nut

  Nut, the revered sky goddess in Ancient Egypt, held the title "she who gives birth to the gods," playing a vital role as a bridge between creation and chaos. Initially worshipped by Nile Valley tribes, Nut became the daughter of Shu and Tefnut, embodying the sky with her brother Geb representing the earth. Their love birthed stars and planets, and despite a curse, Nut had five more children, including Osiris and Isis. Depicted in various forms, Nut's arch over the earth and presence on coffin lids symbolize the sky over the deceased. Worshipped at Heliopolis, Memphis, and Dendera, Nut's astronomical and religious significance as a healing goddess and protector is evident. As one of the oldest Egyptian deities, Nut's influence extends to day and night, showcasing her multifaceted role in Egyptian mythology.

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• Osiris

  Osiris, the god of the underworld, the dead, and the afterlife. Often depicted with green skin, a pharaoh's beard, and a crown adorned with ostrich feathers, he holds a flail and a symbolic crook. Various names like Wsjr and Aser are associated with Osiris, reflecting his revered status. As "King of the Living" and "Foremost of the Westerners," Osiris, a merciful judge in the afterlife, plays a vital role in Egyptian beliefs. His resurrection symbolizes new beginnings symbolizing the cycles of nature and the New Year. Osiris was worshipped fervently in ancient Egypt, with celebrations and rituals commemorating his life, death, and resurrection. .

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• Isis

  Isis held diverse roles as the wife of Osiris, mother of Horus, and a revered fertility deity. Known by various names, she was associated with other goddesses like Sekhmet and Hathor. Worshiped across Egypt and parts of Europe, her cult celebrated her as the ideal mother, with women often being her primary worshipers. Honored through temples, festivals, and statues, Isis played a crucial role in Egyptian mythology, from her magical abilities to her pivotal role in the resurrection of Osiris. Depicted in various forms, she symbolized fertility, magic, and maternal care, leaving a lasting impact on ancient Egyptian beliefs and practices.

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• Nephthys

  Nephthys is the goddess of mourning, darkness, and childbirth. She played a vital role in funerary rites, and protecting the dead alongside her sister Isis. Her name means "Lady of the House" or "Lady of the Temple." She was known as the "Helpful Goddess," and was considered the mother of Anubis. Nephthys had a multifaceted role, from nursing Horus to appearing as a powerful deity. Temples dedicated to her, especially during the New Kingdom, emphasized her importance in Egyptian religion.

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• Seth

  The Egyptian god Seth, initially the Egyptians revered Seth for aiding the dead, late he transformed into the god of chaos and darkness amid conflicts with Horus. Portrayed with a unique animal head, Seth was associated with drought and the color red, taking forms like a boar or hippopotamus. Engaged in mythic conflicts, his worship involved festivals and rituals, including symbolic hippopotamus slaying. Seth's artifacts, seen in carvings and dedicated scepters, depict his role as an antagonist to gods like Horus, Osiris, and Ra, embodying the Egyptian concept of duality for cosmic balance.

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The Creation Story of the Ennead

Within the primeval waters before the creation of the world, there was a single egg that contained Atum (though, in some versions of the creation myth, he created himself). During a flood, he was born out of that egg. He then went on to create everything after that moment. Atum first spit out Shu, god of peace and air, and Tefnut, goddess of dew and rain. When they came into the world, they banished the eternal darkness, replacing it with the light of day.

Here, two variants emerge. In one, Atum becomes mournful when Shu and Tefnut left his side. He sent his divine eye to find them. When they were found and returned, Atum's tears of joy became the first human beings. In the other variant, Atum simply wept for joy upon seeing his children for the first time.

Shu and Tefnut created Geb, god of the earth, and Nut, goddess of the sky. These two separated the heavens from the earth. In many temple depictions, Shu is standing in between Geb and Nut, creating the barrier between the two. Geb and Nut in turn had four children. Two of these were Osiris, god of regeneration and fertility, and Isis, goddess of motherhood. The other two were Seth, the god of chaos, and Nephthys, the goddess of overall protection.

In the 10-god version of the Ennead, Horus is included. This is either Horus the Elder (a fifth son of Geb and Nut) or Horus the son of Isis and Osiris. Both were considered falcon gods, with Horus the son of Osiris being the god of royalty. When together, the gods of the Great Ennead were considered a tribunal. They had the power to judge both human beings and gods. The term Ennead comes from the Greek word meaning nine.

Other Stories of the Great Ennead

There are many other myths involving the Ennead of Heliopolis. In one, Atum (in the form of Ra) had an earthly reign. As his reign extended beyond the time of a human life, he grew tired. He no longer wanted to carry the sun across the sky each day. This disrupted the time of day and the strength of the sun in the sky.

Atum/Ra traditionally sailed the sky in a vessel called a barque. This boat became a significant symbol in Egyptian mythology. Atum/Ra wanted to abandon his boat and quit travelling the sky, which would mean no sun would shine. Nut, at the behest of her father, Shu, turned herself into a cow. She carried Atum across the sky, and would do so forever. Whenever she became tired, her father Shu, god of the air, would help support her, In this way, Atum/Ra continued his daily journey, and the sun continued to shine.

When human beings saw what was happening to Atum/Ra, they assumed it was because of their neglect and disrespect of him. They raised a great army to fight and bring justice on his behalf. Seeing this, Ra forgave all humans' past wrongdoings.

Other gods also helped. Geb was chosen to help him with daily tasks. In this way, the gods of the Ennead worked together to maintain and protect the normal day-to-day happenings of the world. Geb was appointed as a special protector of human beings, guarding them especially against primordial serpents who tried to feed on them.

There are also many shorter myths involving the Great Ennead. In one, Shu is appointed the special assistant to Atum. As the god of air, he was in charge of the wind that paved the way for the rising sun each morning. It is also said that Shu rid the world of darkness and carved out a place for human beings to live, which Atum then lit with the sun's rays.

In another myth, Nut is named the protector goddess of both humans and gods. She assisted Atum by allowing him to roll across her back as he traversed the sky each day. As the goddess of the sky, she would be the "ocean" in which Atum/Ra's solar barque travelled.

In yet another myth, Atum considered the goddess Nut his wife. When he caught Nut and Geb in a secret love affair, he cursed Geb so that she could not give birth during any of the 360 days of the year. Another god named Thuth (god of wisdom) created an additional five days in the year, and Nut was able to give birth during those new days, called the epagomenal days.