شو و تفنوت

Abstract EN

Both deities, Shu and Tefnut, are regarded as members of Heliopolis Ennead.

They are two sons of Atum.

In spite of the fact that no temple is dedicated to any of them, they are mentioned in almost all the temples of Ancient Egypt as members of the ennead of each temple.

They are usually depicted as humans or lions, but occasionally as man-headed lion for Shu and lioness-headed woman surmounted with the sun disc for Tefnut.

Shu’s head, however, was mainly adorned with a distinguished feather.

Both divinities were mentioned—as sustainers of light and humidity respectively—in the texts of the pyramids and those of many coffins.

They were also found in the book of the dead and all the books of the Afterlife since the New Kingdom down to the Greaco-Roman era.