Scenes depicting the division of the heavens and the earth from the 21a Dynasty coffins of the
Songstress of Amun, Nesj-ta-udjat-akhet. The image at left is from the badly preserved inner coffin in
the National Museum of Tatarstan, Kazan (R.F.). The version at right and the title images are from the
better preserved outer coffin in the Odessa Archaeological Museum, Odessa (Ukraine). A graphic
analysis of these images is presented below. CESRAS photos are by Alexej A. Krol (Kazan) and Sergej V.
Ivanov (Odessa). Digital editing, composition and text by Edward R. Loring.
This scene illustrates one of the most important Ancient Egyptian mythological aspects of the world's
creation. In the beginning, Atum created the world out of Chaos and of himself created the male and
female principles, the deities Shu and the Goddess Tefnut. From their union were born the deities Geb
and Nut, the manifestations of the earth and the firmament. Shu raised his daughter, Nut, from Geb's
embrace and she became the vault of the heavens, Nebet Pet (nb.t-pt), Mistress of the Heavens. Geb
remained lying on the earth to make it fruitful. Geb and Nut are the parents of Isis, Osiris, Seth and
Nephthys. Together these nine deities form the Heliopolitan Enead.
Songstress of Amun, Nesj-ta-udjat-akhet. The image at left is from the badly preserved inner coffin in
the National Museum of Tatarstan, Kazan (R.F.). The version at right and the title images are from the
better preserved outer coffin in the Odessa Archaeological Museum, Odessa (Ukraine). A graphic
analysis of these images is presented below. CESRAS photos are by Alexej A. Krol (Kazan) and Sergej V.
Ivanov (Odessa). Digital editing, composition and text by Edward R. Loring.
This scene illustrates one of the most important Ancient Egyptian mythological aspects of the world's
creation. In the beginning, Atum created the world out of Chaos and of himself created the male and
female principles, the deities Shu and the Goddess Tefnut. From their union were born the deities Geb
and Nut, the manifestations of the earth and the firmament. Shu raised his daughter, Nut, from Geb's
embrace and she became the vault of the heavens, Nebet Pet (nb.t-pt), Mistress of the Heavens. Geb
remained lying on the earth to make it fruitful. Geb and Nut are the parents of Isis, Osiris, Seth and
Nephthys. Together these nine deities form the Heliopolitan Enead.
Here we have removed non-essential elements to illustrate the basic myth. At left, Nut has
been lifted by Shu over her brother-mate, Geb. In the scene at right, Nut has been lifted
previously, Geb is lying on the earth and Shu does not appear. This version shows the
principle activity of Nut: she swallows the sun, depicted here with downward spread wings, at
dusk. It passes through her body and is re-born again at dawn. The re-birth is pictured by the
solar disk with outstretched wings emerging from the goddess. The version at left shown the
arched body and limbs of Nut as the passage-way of the sun through the firmament. The daily
regeneration of the sun, Re, is the most important single event in the Ancient Egyptians'
governing preoccupation with regeneration.
been lifted by Shu over her brother-mate, Geb. In the scene at right, Nut has been lifted
previously, Geb is lying on the earth and Shu does not appear. This version shows the
principle activity of Nut: she swallows the sun, depicted here with downward spread wings, at
dusk. It passes through her body and is re-born again at dawn. The re-birth is pictured by the
solar disk with outstretched wings emerging from the goddess. The version at left shown the
arched body and limbs of Nut as the passage-way of the sun through the firmament. The daily
regeneration of the sun, Re, is the most important single event in the Ancient Egyptians'
governing preoccupation with regeneration.
As a sign of his powers over the fertility of the earth, Geb is
shown with flowers growing from the crook of his elbow.
shown with flowers growing from the crook of his elbow.
Both scenes have been elaborated by the addition of the solar-barque being lifted by Shu to the arch of
Nut, floating of the hieroglyphic symbol of the goddess: pet.
Nut, floating of the hieroglyphic symbol of the goddess: pet.
The barque carries a shrine, enclosing the sun-god, Re, and a decoration in the form of a net on the prow.
To the upper-left of Nut on the outer coffin a winged serpent deity,
probably Nekhbet, is depicted over a description of the goddess:
"The lady Nut, daughter of Re, may she live".
To the left and right of Shu are two antithetic falcons with flagellums
probably Nekhbet, is depicted over a description of the goddess:
"The lady Nut, daughter of Re, may she live".
To the left and right of Shu are two antithetic falcons with flagellums
Below the solar-barque the titles of Re are shown above the left and right arms of Shu:
Lord of the heavens, Neb-pet (nb-pt) The great\<est> god, Netcher-A'a (nTr-Aa)
Lord of the heavens, Neb-pet (nb-pt) The great\<est> god, Netcher-A'a (nTr-Aa)
CESRAS
Ancient Egyptian Scenes
Separation of Earth and Sky
Ancient Egyptian Scenes
Separation of Earth and Sky
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