Lecture: Ennead of Heliopolis (Nut, Shu and Geb)

The ancient Egyptians had many gods, but some were closely connected to each other in groupings known as "Pesedjets" and associated with defined location. The Pyramid Texts (Old Kingdom) refer to a number of groups of gods, of which the Great Pesdjet is now known to us as "The Ennead". The Ennead (derived from the Greek word for nine) are the nine ancient Egyptian Gods and Godesses associated with the creation myths of Heliopolis (Iunu) in Lower Egypt.

In the beginning there was nothing (Nun). A mound of earth rose from Nun and upon it Atum (later Amun or Re) created himself. He did not want to be alone so he masturbated (or spat) producing air (Shu), and moisture (Tefnut). Shu and Tefnut gave birth to the earth (Geb) and the sky (Nut). Geb and Nut were separated by Shu, creating our world. The children of Nut and Geb were Osiris, Horus the elder, Set, Isis and Nephthys.

We do not know when the Ennead were first worshipped, but certainly as early as the Fifth dynasty of the Old Kingdom. However, their prime position was not assured. In Memphis Ptah was the creator god, while in Thebes Montu (and later Amun) was the foremost god. By the sixth dynasty Horus (especially when he merged with Ra as Horakhty) was in the ascendancy, although distinct members of the Ennead (especially Osiris, Set, Isis and Nepythys) remained both popular and powerful. The Greek term was coined by Greek scholars in Egypt during the twentieth dynasty towards the end of the New Kingdom.`

Nut was the mother of Osiris, Isis, Seth, and Nephythys, Nut is usually shown in human form; her elongated body symbolizing the sky. Each limb represents a cardinal point as her body stretches over the earth. Nut swallowed the setting sun (Ra) each evening and gave birth to him each morning. She is often depicted on the ceilings of tombs, on the inside lid of coffins, and on the ceilings of temples.

Nut was featured as a woman wearing a dress of stars arching her body over the world. Nut was also Geb's sister and wife. According to one tale of the gods, when Nut was denied the right to have children she had the goddess Hathor help her fool the god Ra. She was the mother of Osiris, Isis, Seth, and Nepthys.

Shu was the husband of Tefnut and the father of Nut and Geb. He and his wife were the first gods created by Atum. Shu was the god of the air and sunlight or, more precisely, dry air and his wife represented moisture. He was normally depicted as a man wearing a headdress in the form of a plume, which is also the hieroglyph for his name.

Shu’s function was to hold up the body of the goddess Nun and separate the sky from the earth. He was not a solar deity but his role in providing sunlight connected him to Ra. Indeed, he was one of the few gods who escaped persecution under the heretic king Akhenaten.

Shu was featured as a man wearing a feather headress holding up the sky goddess Nut. He was the son of Atum and the brother of Tefbut. It was believed that if Shu did'nt separate the sky from the earth there would be no place with which to create life.

Geb was the father of Osiris, Isis, Seth, and Nephythys, and was a god without a cult. As an Earth god he was associated with fertility and it was believed that earthquakes were the laughter of Geb. He is mentioned in the Pyramid Texts as imprisoning the buried dead within his body.

Geb (also known as Seb, Keb, Kebb or Gebb) He was featured as a man lying down with plants sprouting out of his body or a goose. He was the son of Shu and Tefnut. His wife was Nut and in turn they had Osiris, Isis, Seth, and Nephthys. It was believed that when the earth shook during an earthquake it was his laughter.