Egyptian Creation Story

Nu was the name of the dark swirling watery chaos before the beginning of time. Out of these waters rose
Atum. He created himself using his thoughts and the sheer force of his will. He also made himself a hill, for
there was nowhere to stand. He was neither male or female, and was alone in the world. He had one all
seeing eye that could roam the universe.

Sometime later, he mated with his shadow to create children, and had one son whom he called Shu (god of
the sky), and one daughter whom he called Tefnut (goddess of mist and moisture). Atum gave birth to Shu by
spitting him out of his mouth, while Tefnut he vomited out of his mouth.

Shu and Tefnut continued Atum’s act of creation by separating the chaos into principles of law, order, and
stability. Chaos was divided into light and dark and set into place. This order was called Maat, which formed
the principles of life for all time.

Shu and Tefnut also created Geb (earth), and Nut (sky). At first they were one, and longed only to be with
each other. Shu being God of the air, breathed and sent a wind to push Nut into the heavens, where she
remained arched over her mate Geb. Nut produced rain for Geb (earth), and Geb made things grow on the
earth. As sky, she gave birth to the sun every morning, who died everyday at sunset after following the earth
around.

Shu and Tefnut also produced other gods.

However, chaos was still very vast and could not all together be separated into the principles of Maat. Once
Shu and Tefnut got lost in the dark waters of Nu. Atum, in desperation sent his eye through the heavens and
the earth to search for them. Once they were found, Atum wept tears of joy when he saw them – tears which
fell to the earth and became the first human beings.

Humans populated and had to uphold the truth and balance of Maat. Their task was to look after the earth
and worship the gods. The gods in turned loved their creation.