The Creation of the Universe, Gods, and Humans in Egyptian Mythology
After the emergence of the creator god and his ascension to the throne, he had to begin the act of creation. This process encompassed the formation of the universe, the gods, and humanity—all of which, according to Egyptian beliefs, were created simultaneously. The Egyptian worldview held that the material from which the universe, the gods, and humans were formed was one and the same, emphasizing the concept of a single pervasive force in existence. This idea eliminated the barriers between gods and humans, viewing them as identical in essence but differing only in degree.
Egyptian creation myths varied depending on the theological or mythological school associated with a specific creator god. Below, we explore the acts of creation attributed to different creator deities.
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| Legends of Ra, Atum, Ptah, Khnum, Amun, and Neith |
The Creation Myth of Shepsi in Khnum
Egyptian myths provide little detailed information about the creation story of the god Shepsi. However, his emergence as a solar deity and lord of the horizon follows a distinctive interpretation, albeit one that appears somewhat syncretic. Shepsi, described as the "magnificent son of the Ogdoad," was depicted as a lotus flower in the form of a scarab with a ram’s head. At times, he also appeared as a child with his finger in his mouth, wearing a crown adorned with a sacred cobra.
This depiction suggests influences from other well-known religious traditions, particularly those associated with Khepri, Amun, and Ra. However, the most significant aspect of Shepsi’s mythology is his connection to the lotus flower, a fundamental ritualistic symbol of the Hermopolitan belief system. In this tradition, the offering of a lotus flower was a core ritual, regardless of its specific type—whether it was a blue lotus, a lapis-colored lotus, or a silver lotus. Raising the flower to the divine nose during temple ceremonies symbolized the solar life force.
The symbolism of the lotus in Shepsi’s creation myth is multifaceted. It encapsulates the entire act of creation in its layered imagery:
- As a flower, it represents plant life.
- As an animal, it is associated with the scarab and the ram.
- As a child, it symbolizes humanity.
- As the sun, it embodies the universe and the gods.
Within this sacred timeframe, the lotus of creation brought forth beauty, kindness, and happiness. During its era, the laws of truth and justice (Ma’at) descended from the heavens and united with the people of the earth. In the age of the primordial gods, the land flourished, abundance was widespread, famine was unknown, walls never crumbled, and thorns did not prick.
The eternal gods created the solar disk, humanity, and all the righteous beings of their time. Ma’at, the divine law of truth and justice, descended upon the earth and coexisted harmoniously with the gods. During this golden age, food was plentiful, evil did not exist on the earth’s surface, crocodiles did not seize their prey, and serpents did not strike.
This depiction reflects the idealized era of harmony—the Golden Age—where gods, humans, and animals coexisted in peace and prosperity.
The Creation Myth of Atum in Heliopolis (The Heliopolitan Ennead)
The mythology of creation in Heliopolis (On) formed a structured divine system that deeply influenced all other Egyptian creation myths, becoming one of its most defining elements. At the head of this Ennead stood the creator god Atum, whose act of creation marked the beginning of existence.
The first stage of creation began when Atum, finding himself alone, decided to bring forth offspring from himself. According to myth, he extracted semen from his own body, placed it in his mouth between his teeth and lips, and then sneezed, producing Shu, the god of air. He then spat, giving birth to Tefnut, the goddess of moisture.
In some variations of the myth, when Atum is associated with Ra, his children are named Shu and Ma’at (instead of Tefnut), signifying that cosmic order (Ma’at) was established at the moment of creation.
Shu and Tefnut were created on the Primordial Hill, yet some texts suggest that Atum remained within the primordial waters of Nun when he birthed them. As they drifted through the chaotic waters, Atum sent his Eye of Ra to find them. However, before their return, he had already created a new eye, which shone more brilliantly than the first.
When the original eye returned, it became enraged at being replaced. To appease it, Atum placed it at the front of his head, giving it power over the world he was about to create. This is the origin of the Eye of Ra, later associated with the destructive solar goddess and the protective uraeus cobra (Wadjet), which adorned the crowns of Egyptian pharaohs.
Once Shu and Tefnut reunited with their father, Atum wept tears of joy. From these divine tears, human beings were created. In another variation, Egyptian texts suggest that gods emerged from Ra’s sweat, whereas humans were born from his tears, emphasizing the divine essence within mankind, potentially even greater than that of other deities.
Shu and Tefnut later gave birth to Geb (god of the Earth) and Nut (goddess of the Sky). Initially, the two were tightly intertwined, locked in an eternal embrace. Atum, seeing the necessity of space for creation, commanded Shu to separate the two, lifting Nut high above Geb.
Later depictions show Shu standing with his arms raised, holding up the sky. At dawn and dusk, Nut was believed to embrace Geb, only to be lifted again each morning, allowing Ra to travel across her body in his celestial boat. Over time, Nut’s depiction evolved from that of a celestial cow (whose body supported the heavens) to a tall, arching woman touching the earth with her hands and feet.
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| Detail from the Greenfield Papyrus (the Book of the Dead of Nesitanebtashru). It depicts the air god Shu, assisted by the ram-headed Heh deities, supporting the sky goddess Nut as the earth god Geb reclines beneath.Date Photograph published 1997; artwork created c. 950 BCE -Source What Life Was Like on the Banks of the Nile, edited by Denise Dersin -Author Photographed by the British Museum; original artist unknown |
The two divine eyes of Atum took on cosmic significance. His right eye (associated with Shu) became the sun, while his left eye (associated with Tefnut) became the moon. This myth explains the connection between the sun and dry air (Shu) and between the moon and moisture (Tefnut).
The final stage of the Heliopolitan Ennead introduced four divine siblings, born from the union of Geb (Earth) and Nut (Sky):
- Osiris (Asar) – God of fertility and rebirth, symbolizing the life-giving waters of the Nile.
- Isis (Aset) – His wife and the divine mother goddess, embodying sacred femininity.
- Set (Seth) – The god of chaos, the desert, and storms, representing drought and destruction.
- Nephthys (Nebet-Het) – The wife of Set, known as the "Lady of the House", symbolizing the barren land that could still hold potential for fertility.
These four deities embody the eternal struggle between fertility and desolation, life and death. Osiris and Isis represent the Nile’s life-bringing waters and the fertile black soil, while Set and Nephthys symbolize the red desert and arid lands, where life struggles to survive.
This myth not only served as the foundation of Egyptian cosmology but also shaped the spiritual and political beliefs of the civilization for millennia.
The Creation of Ptah (Memphite Theology)
Unlike Atum’s creation myth in Heliopolis, which was rooted in sexual procreation, the Memphite theology of Ptah emphasized creation through divine speech. Ptah, the great craftsman and creator, formed the world, the gods, and humanity through the power of his heart and tongue. He first conceived his creations as thoughts within his heart, then spoke their names aloud, bringing them into existence.
The priests of Memphis positioned Ptah as the supreme creator god, surpassing even Nun, the primordial waters from which all existence emerged. In this myth, Ptah himself created Nun and his consort, Naunet. He then willed the emergence of the primordial mound by uttering its name. From this mound, Atum was brought into being through Ptah’s command. Following this, Ptah created Nefertum (represented by the lotus flower) and the primordial serpent. He then brought forth Horus and Thoth—who embodied Ptah’s heart and tongue—through whom the rest of creation, including the gods, humanity, and all aspects of the world, came into existence.
As the master craftsman and divine architect, Ptah was seen as the god who shaped existence and determined fate. He was known as the “Lord of the Primeval Mound” in Memphis, distinct from the Heliopolitan creation centered on Atum. The Memphite priests proclaimed that all other gods were merely aspects or manifestations of Ptah, reinforcing his role as the ancient and supreme creator deity.
To solidify this claim, the Memphites reinterpreted the Heliopolitan Ennead, asserting that Ptah’s heart and tongue encompassed the entirety of Atum’s creative power. In this way, Ptah was declared the true divine force behind all acts of creation, stripping Atum of his independent creative role. Some texts even suggest that Ptah was synonymous with the primordial mound itself, making him the very foundation upon which the universe was built.
To incorporate celestial elements into the Memphite theology, the myth describes Horus as representing the sun and Thoth as embodying the moon. This symbolic connection further reinforced Ptah’s role as the source of cosmic order.
Ptah’s method of creation extended to human beings as well. Unlike the myths in which humans emerged from the tears of Ra, Ptah fashioned them through his words, granting them hearts and tongues so they could act and create according to their will.
As the god of artisans and craftsmen, Ptah sculpted the forms of the gods as statues. He then infused them with divine life by speaking sacred words into their bodies, allowing them to exist as living deities. This concept positioned Ptah as the ultimate divine artist, whose creations remained as testaments to his power.
Beyond creation, Ptah was credited with founding cities, establishing governance, and maintaining cosmic order. His influence extended into the afterlife, where he was revered as the god of Memphis’ necropolis. This association led to his fusion with Sokar, the god of the underworld, giving rise to the composite deity Ptah-Sokar, often depicted with a falcon’s head.
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| Votive stele, dedicated by the priest Neferrenpet to the god Ptah, 20th dynasty (about 1150 BC). Basalt. From Memphis. Inv. 22785. Date 26 November 2013, 12:25:55 Source Own work Author Sialkot |
To encompass all aspects of life, death, and rebirth, Ptah was linked with Osiris, the god of fertility and the afterlife. This synthesis resulted in the Ptah-Sokar-Osiris triad, symbolizing creation, preservation, and resurrection. The deity was sometimes depicted as a mummified figure with a scarab beetle’s head or adorned with Osirian symbols such as the sun disk, ram’s horns, and double feathers, reinforcing his funerary and regenerative powers.
Ptah was also associated with other key deities linked to creation and fertility. He was connected to Nun, the watery abyss; Hapy, the god of the Nile’s life-giving floods; Geb, the earth god; and Tatenen, the ancient god of the primordial mound. Additionally, Shu, the god of air who separated the sky from the earth, was seen as an extension of Ptah’s creative force.
This intricate theological framework established Ptah as not just a god of artisans but as the divine force behind existence, shaping the cosmos, life, and the divine hierarchy through the power of his speech and intellect.
The Creation of Amun: The Absorption of Previous Creations
Amun, the god of Thebes (Waset), was originally depicted as a serpent residing in the underworld. This underworld was a specific location in Waset, believed to be the first landmass to emerge from the primordial waters (Nun), appearing as a primordial mound in the western part of Thebes. From this sacred site, Amun began the process of creating the earth.
In the city of Hermopolis, after the priests of Thebes integrated Amun into the theological framework, he and his consort replaced the fourth pair of the Ogdoad. Over time, Amun gradually rose in prominence, surpassing the other deities and becoming the supreme god within the Hermopolitan cosmogony.
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| Amun, Karnak Temple, Large Hall, Relief Date 13 January 2009 Source Own work Author Hedwig Storch |
Amun’s role continued to evolve, and he eventually became the god of air in Hermopolis, symbolizing his dominion over the essential elements of life. He played a crucial role in the birth of the sun god and was revered as the original source of divine creation. As his influence expanded, he earned the title of "The Preserver" and later merged with the sun god, adopting the name "Amun-Ra," signifying his absolute control over solar divinity.
Amun then extended his influence beyond Thebes, taking over the Ennead of Heliopolis (Iunu) and later claiming dominion over the throne of Ptah in Memphis. After consolidating his supremacy over Egypt’s major theological centers, Amun returned to his original abode in Thebes, symbolically withdrawing into his sacred lair as a serpent.
Thus, Amun was believed to have created the entire cosmos and then retreated into obscurity. Unlike other Egyptian deities with well-defined creation myths, Amun’s theological dominance was marked by his strategic absorption of older religious centers, including Hermopolis, Heliopolis, and Memphis. This process positioned Amun as the most prominent and centralized deity in Egyptian religious thought, surpassing even Ptah, who had earlier unified the Heliopolitan Ennead under his own doctrine.
A hymn dedicated to Amun from the time of Amenhotep II illustrates his unparalleled status and divine authority:
"Adoration to Amun-Ra,
The mighty bull of Heliopolis,
The supreme ruler of all gods,
The perfect deity, the beloved one,
The giver of life to all beings and creatures alike…""Hail to you, O Amun-Ra, Lord of the Two Thrones,
Who leads Karnak, the bull of his mother,
Who dominates his fields…""The god of wide strides, who presides over Upper Egypt,
The great god of the sky, the first among all beings,
The lord of existence, the foundation of all things…""He is the one and only, there is none like him among the gods,
He is the perfect bull of the Ennead, the leader of all deities…""He is the Lord of Truth and Justice, the father of the gods…"
"He who shaped mankind and created all creatures,
The master of existence and the giver of the plants of life…""He who fashioned the pastures that sustain the herds,
The divine power created by Ptah,
The youthful and beloved one, eternally praised by the gods…""The creator of both the underworld and the heavens,
Illuminating the Two Lands with his radiance…""The sovereign Ra, the king of Upper and Lower Egypt,
The one whose words are truth, the ruler of all lands…"
The Creation of Aten: The Hands of the Sun That Create and Give Life
The Great and Small Hymns to Aten, composed during the reign of Akhenaten, emphasize the concept of monotheism and portray Aten as the singular creator of the universe, humanity, animals, and plants. Unlike previous Egyptian myths that included other gods in the process of creation, Atenism rejects any divine counterparts or co-creators.
The Short Hymn to Aten declares:
"O divine being, who fashioned himself by himself,
The creator of all lands, the maker of all that is upon them…""The people, the cattle, the gazelles, and the trees that grow in the fields,
All live when you shine upon them…"
This passage underscores Aten’s role as the sole creator of the earth and all living beings. His creation process does not involve mythical narratives or participation from other gods, as Atenism directly opposed traditional polytheistic beliefs. Instead, Aten is depicted as the one true living god, an unparalleled divine force shaping existence.
Unlike Ptah, who created through the spoken word, or Ra, who brought forth life through his bodily fluids (such as tears and sweat), Aten’s method of creation was entirely unique. Aten brought life into being through his radiant beams of sunlight. In depictions from Akhenaten’s reign, Aten is symbolized by a sun disk, from which rays extend downward, each ending in small hands that sometimes hold the ankh (the symbol of life). These hands represent the divine force granting life to all things.
Aten’s creative power is further illustrated in the Short Hymn:
"You are the father and mother of all you have made.
When you rise, their eyes behold you.
Your rays illuminate the entire world…""When you set in the western horizon of the sky,
They sleep as if they were dead.
Their heads are wrapped in cloth,
And their breath ceases…""Yet when you rise again in the morning,
The world awakens in praise of your light…"
This passage reflects the belief that Aten’s rays directly sustain all life, and when the sun sets, existence itself enters a state of dormancy, only to be revived upon Aten’s return at dawn. Unlike other Egyptian gods who were often linked to physical or mythological acts of creation, Aten’s power was purely cosmic—his light alone was the source of life.
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| Akhenaten and one of his girls, detail of an altarpiece of a shrine. The God Aten with his sun rays and his cartouches as well as Nefertiti's cartouches appear. New Kingdom, 18th Dynasty, c. 1345 BCE. From Amarna, Egypt. Neues Museum, Berlin, Germany. ÄM14145.Date :22 July 2019, 18:03:31:Source:Own work :Author:Osama Shukir Muhammed Amin FRCP(Glasg) |
The theological shift introduced by Akhenaten was unprecedented in Egyptian history. By presenting Aten as the sole god, the king rejected the long-established polytheistic traditions. This radical monotheism reshaped religious practices, art, and governance, as temples once dedicated to Amun and other gods were repurposed or abandoned in favor of Aten worship.
However, after Akhenaten’s death, Egypt swiftly reverted to its traditional religious beliefs, restoring the worship of Amun and the other deities. Atenism was erased from official records, and Akhenaten was denounced as a heretic. Despite its brief existence, the concept of a single universal creator god introduced by Atenism remains one of the most remarkable theological experiments in history.
The Creation of Khnum: The Potter’s Wheel of Life
Khnum, the great potter god, created himself before shaping the universe. He molded the earth, raised the heavens upon its four pillars, and crafted the underworld and the primordial waters. Everything that exists in the world originated from his divine hands.
Unlike other deities who created life through speech or divine essence, Khnum sculpted both gods and humans from clay using his potter’s wheel. He shaped men as procreators and introduced women into the world. Beyond humanity, he crafted animals, livestock, birds, and fish, ensuring the balance of life on earth.
Khnum was sometimes depicted with four ram heads, symbolizing his dominion over the natural elements: fire, air, earth, and water. These elements, essential for life, were under his divine command, reinforcing his role as the master of creation. The ram itself represented fertility and strength, both crucial aspects of his creative power.
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| God Khnum moulds Ihy, goddess of Heqet, mamisi (birth temple), Dendera Temple complex, Dendera, Egypt Date 24 August 2000 Source Own work Author Roland Unger |
Khnum’s Divine Potter’s Wheel: Crafting the Human Body
Khnum meticulously formed every aspect of the human body with precision:
- He sculpted the hair, ensuring its natural growth.
- He molded the skin to cover the body harmoniously.
- He shaped the head, giving distinct features to each face.
- He crafted the eyes to swell into their sockets and the ears to open.
- He merged the body with air, enabling it to breathe.
- He designed the mouth for consuming food and sculpted the teeth for chewing.
- He formed the tongue for speech and the jaw to open and close.
- He created the neck for swallowing and spitting.
- He structured the spine for support.
- He designed the reproductive organs, enabling procreation and the continuity of generations in Egypt.
- He formed the intestines to sustain the body through nourishment.
- He shaped the hands and fingers to work and create.
- He crafted the legs and thighs for movement and balance.
Thus, through his divine craftsmanship, Khnum ensured the existence and functionality of all living beings.
Khnum’s potter’s wheel turned endlessly, shaping all known creatures. At times, he lent his wheel to Ptah, the god of artisans, who placed the cosmic egg upon it. From this egg, life and the universe emerged, further expanding the divine creation.
The Creation of Neith: The Transformations and Declarations of the Divine Cow Goddess
The ancient Egyptian creation myths offer a fascinating glimpse into the origins of the cosmos, gods, and humanity. One such myth, discovered and translated by Serge Sauneron, sheds light on the creation story of the Great Mother Neith. Though this text dates back to the reign of Emperor Trajan, its roots extend deep into Egypt’s past.
According to this account, Neith emerged from the primordial waters of Nun and undertook the divine task of creating the universe, gods, and humans in four distinct phases. Throughout these transformations, the Great Mother Goddess assumed different forms, using the power of speech to bring creation into existence.
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| Bronze Statue of Neith – Wearing the Red Crown of Lower Egypt, holding the ankh sign in her right hand, with her left arm outstretched. The partially obliterated hieroglyphs bear the name of Pedi-Hor. From Egypt, Late Period. The British Museum, London. Date: 28 July 2016, 13:49:42. Source: Own work. Author: Osama Shukr Mohamed Amin. |
- Neith as the Celestial Cow-Fish (Lates)
Upon her emergence from Nun, Neith first transformed into a sacred fish, known as Lates (a species of Nile perch). This transformation is closely linked to the ancient city of Latopolis (modern Esna), where vast cemeteries of mummified fish were discovered, emphasizing their religious significance. As the celestial fish, Neith opened her eyes, bringing forth light, and spoke sacred words that gave rise to the primeval mound at Esna. From this mound, the city of Sais emerged, followed by all of Egypt, marking the birth of the land.
At this moment, Neith spoke the names of thirty gods, who immediately came into existence. These gods praised her, proclaiming:
"Blessed are you, O Lady of the Gods, our mother, who brought us into being. You created our names while we were still without consciousness. You separated day from night and formed the land upon which we stand."
Neith then named the land of Esna-Sais as "The Upper Land", promising the gods that she would reveal to them the divine purpose behind her creation.
- Neith as the Creator of Ra and the Divine Struggle Against Apophis
In her second transformation, Neith became the Celestial Cow Hathor (Ihet), through whom the great sun god Ra was born. She shaped him with her hands and conceived him in her heart. When Ra opened his eyes, light shone across the cosmos; when he closed them, darkness fell. From his tears, humanity was formed, and from his spittle, the gods emerged.
Ra was known by different names throughout the day:
- Khepri at dawn
- Ra at midday
- Atum at sunset
Neith laid an egg containing Ra, and as the waters of Nun surged, the egg was fertilized. It eventually shattered, allowing the solar god to emerge.
However, before Ra took his place in the heavens, a great disturbance occurred. Neith’s divine spittle transformed into a massive serpent—Apophis (Apep)—who led a rebellion against Ra. Seeing this, the god Thoth was born from Ra’s heart to aid in the battle, establishing his role as the divine protector of the Hermopolitan Ogdoad (the eight primordial deities).
To protect Ra, Neith nursed him in the city of Esna, ensuring he would grow strong enough to face his adversaries.
- Neith as Mehet-Weret: The Great Celestial Cow of Creation
In her third transformation, Neith assumed the form of Mehet-Weret, the Great Flooding Cow, who carried the sun between her horns as she swam through the primordial waters. She spoke seven divine words, which materialized into seven deities, each responsible for different aspects of creation:
- The Earth
- The Cities
- The Gods
- The Sun
- Humanity
- The Serpent Apophis
- The Divine Wisdom of Thoth
These seven spoken deities were considered living manifestations of Neith’s will but later solidified into divine principles, buried in a sacred necropolis in Per-Neter (House of the Gods).
As chaos spread due to the conspiracies of Apophis and his followers, Neith journeyed southward to quell their rebellion, setting the heavens ablaze with divine fire in both Upper and Lower Egypt.
- Neith as Wereret: The Warrior Cow and Mother of Ra
On the 13th day of the third month of Shemu (the dry season), Neith returned to Sais, marking a time of celestial and earthly rejoicing. As she completed her divine cycle, she transformed into Wereret, the Great Mother of Ra, taking up her bow and arrows to protect her son.
In gratitude, Ra declared a grand festival in her honor, lighting torches and celebrating throughout Egypt until dawn. The gods and mortals alike rejoiced, recognizing Neith as the supreme mother and protector of the cosmos.
Conclusion: The Philosophy of Creation in Egyptian Mythology
Egyptian mythology presents a comprehensive and intricate vision of the universe’s creation, where various cosmogonies emerged from different religious centers. However, they all share a common theme: the universe originated from the primordial chaos (Nun), and order was established through divine will and the sacred word.
Whether in the story of Ra emerging from Neith’s cosmic egg, the Heliopolitan Ennead, or the Hermopolitan Ogdoad, the concept of creation was more than just an explanation for the origin of life—it was a reflection of the Egyptians' philosophy on order, balance, and the continuity of existence.
The gods played a fundamental role in this process, each representing a unique aspect of creation. From Neith, who brought forth gods and humans through speech, to Ptah, who manifested creation through thought and will, to Amun, the hidden force behind all existence, these myths were not merely stories but the foundation of religious belief and identity in ancient Egypt.
The Egyptian concept of creation remained influential even beyond the decline of pharaonic civilization, shaping later spiritual and philosophical traditions. Studying these myths offers us a deeper understanding of how the ancient Egyptians perceived the universe, the gods, and the afterlife, making them a timeless source of fascination for history and mythology enthusiasts.
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