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| “ | I raised them up from out of the watery mass, out of inactivity. | „ |
| ~ Nun about the creation of the gods. |
Nun (In the myths he is in) is the overarching antagonist of Egyptian mythology.
He was the deity personifying the primordial watery abyss in Ancient Egyptian religion. Nun can be viewed as the first of all of the gods, and he is the creator of reality. However, this can only be said in certain versions of the myth. Nun is also considered the god to destroy existence and return everything to the nun from whence it came. Nun, in Egyptian mythology was the primordial of chaos, void, and of the cosmic ocean, and was a swirling mass of energy; all primordials came from him. He was the father of the entire Egyptian Mythology family. His female aspect is said to be Nunet. He was also a member of the Ogdoad and he's the Father/Mother of Ra and the equivalent of Khaos in Greek mythology.
The Ancient Egyptians considered the oceanic abyss of the Nun as surrounding a bubble in which the sphere of life is encapsulated, symbolizing the deepest mystery of their cosmogony. In the Ancient Egyptian accounts of creation, the original mound of land came forth out of the waters of Nun. The Nun is the source of everything that will appear in the world, differentiated, embracing all the features of divine and earthly existence. It is within the Ennead cosmogony, it was when Nun also became transcendent at the very point of creation, along with Atum, the creator god.
Biography[]
Origin[]
The ancient Egyptians held a profound belief in the concept of Nun, which they envisioned as a vast, primordial watery abyss that enveloped a circular expanse representing the realm of life. This idea was one of the most enigmatic elements of their cosmogony, encapsulating their understanding of existence and creation. From the depths of this boundless water emerged the original mound of land known as Benben, a sacred and significant symbol in their mythology. It was upon this mound that the creator deity, Atum, manifested, embodying a form of the sun god Ra. Atum's emergence from the waters of Nun marked the beginning of creation, as he brought forth the world and all living beings from the primordial chaos. This narrative reflects the ancient Egyptians' intricate relationship with their environment, as well as their deep reverence for the forces of nature that they believed governed the universe. The juxtaposition of water and land in this creation myth illustrates their understanding of dualities and the interconnectedness of all things within the cosmos.
Celestial Cow Myth[]
In the ancient Egyptian myth known as the Celestial Cow, there is a compelling narrative that describes the events leading to humanity's departure from the worship and veneration of the sun god Ra. As the story unfolds, it illustrates how the people, once devoted followers of Ra, began to stray from his teachings and guidance, ultimately losing faith in his divine authority. In response to this growing disobedience and the decline of moral order among humanity, Ra took decisive action. He sent forth his eye, which took the form of the fierce goddess Sekhmet, a powerful deity known for her strength and ferocity. Sekhmet was tasked with delivering punishment to those who had turned away from Ra, serving as a formidable reminder of the consequences of their actions. Through this myth, the narrative explores themes of divine retribution, the importance of maintaining faith, and the delicate balance between gods and mortals in the ancient Egyptian worldview.
As time went on, Ra began to show signs of senility, which gradually affected his judgment and responsibilities as the King of the Gods. Once revered and respected, he started to neglect his divine duties, leading to a growing discontent among the people of Egypt. Their adoration for him began to wane, and the fervent prayers that once filled the air grew increasingly sparse. This decline in worship had a direct impact on Ra's power, as it was intricately linked to the devotion and prayers of his followers. Stripped of the strength that came from their faith, he found himself unable to take any punitive action against those who had turned away from him. Instead, he was left to observe the erosion of his influence and the rising disapproval of his subjects, all while grappling with the reality of his diminishing authority and the consequences of his own fading mind.
In a moment of utter desperation, the sun god Ra sought the wisdom of Nun, the primordial waters of chaos and creation. Upon consulting with Nun, Ra received a shocking piece of advice: he was instructed to sacrifice one of his own eyes. Reluctantly but determined to resolve his plight, Ra took the drastic step of cutting out his eye. To his astonishment, this act of self-sacrifice led to a remarkable transformation—the severed eye morphed into a powerful and fierce lioness goddess named Sekhmet. As the death toll rose and chaos engulfed the land, Ra began to realize the dire consequences of his actions. The violence and bloodshed instigated by Sekhmet threatened to bring about the downfall of civilization itself. Faced with this grim reality, Ra was compelled to intervene and put an end to Sekhmet's rampage before it spiraled out of control. In a desperate attempt to restore balance and peace to Egypt, Ra devised a plan to quell the fury of the lioness goddess and bring her back from the brink of destruction. Empowered by her newfound existence, Sekhmet unleashed her wrath upon the land of Egypt. Fueled by a ferocious energy, she embarked on a rampage, slaughtering countless individuals throughout the kingdom. Her fury was relentless, and she seemed almost unstoppable as she wreaked havoc, driven by a primal instinct to punish and destroy.
Atum's Destruction of the World[]
Interestingly, amidst this impending destruction, Osiris, the god associated with the afterlife and resurrection, is mentioned as a survivor alongside Atum and Nun. However, the specifics surrounding this catastrophic event remain shrouded in mystery, particularly concerning the fate of the deceased Egyptians who had been linked with Osiris in their beliefs about the afterlife. The text leaves us wondering what will happen to their souls and whether they will be granted the same survival as Osiris. In this enigmatic conclusion to existence, both Atum and Osiris undergo a transformation, emerging as a pair of serpents. This imagery of serpents may symbolize renewal, regeneration, or a cyclical nature of life and death, as serpents are often associated with rebirth due to their ability to shed their skins. Thus, the narrative weaves together themes of creation, destruction, and the enduring essence of life, even in the face of ultimate dissolution.
Trivia[]
- Nun has been compared to Chaos from Greco-Roman mythology
- He is generally the creator god in only some of the myths. In most he is a minor deity or an abstract force rather than a deity.
