Nu (mythology)

Nu, also spelled Nuu, Nwn, or Nun, is the deification of the primordial watery abyss in ancient Egyptian cosmology. It represents the formless, chaotic state that existed before the creation of the world and contains the potential for all things.

Role and Significance:

Nu is not a god in the typical sense, but rather a personification of the primordial waters from which the created world emerged. He is often depicted as a male figure with green or blue skin, symbolizing water and fertility. Nu is seen as the source of all existence, holding the seeds of creation within his depths.

The sun god Ra emerges from the waters of Nu, marking the beginning of the created world. The Egyptians believed that at the end of each cosmic cycle, the world would return to the watery embrace of Nu, only to be reborn anew.

Depiction:

Nu is typically portrayed as a male figure with arms raised, supporting the solar barque of Ra as it travels across the sky. He is sometimes shown with a beard and wears a loincloth. His consort is Naunet, also a personification of the primordial waters and the feminine counterpart to Nu. Together, they represent the duality of the primordial chaos.

Relationship to Other Deities:

Nu exists outside of the established pantheon of Egyptian gods. While he is not worshipped in the same way as deities like Ra, Osiris, or Isis, he is fundamental to understanding the Egyptian creation myth and the origin of the universe. He is often invoked in funerary texts, reflecting the Egyptian belief in the cyclical nature of life, death, and rebirth, and the eventual return to the primordial state.

Influence:

The concept of Nu and the primordial waters has had a lasting impact on religious and philosophical thought. The idea of a formless void as the source of creation can be found in various cultures and mythologies around the world. The Egyptian concept of Nu provides a unique perspective on the origins of the universe and the cyclical nature of existence.