Atum

Atum was a central figure in ancient Egyptian mythology. He was known as the primordial god. This means he was the first being to exist. He was the source from which all other things arose. His name likely comes from the Egyptian verb *tm*. This verb means "to complete" or "to finish." Because of this, he was often called the "complete one." He was also seen as the finisher of the world.

This title suggests he would return the universe to chaos at the end of time.

Different groups of people had different ideas about Atum's origins. In the Heliopolitan view, Atum existed inside an egg. This egg was located within the primeval waters known as Nu. He was born during a primordial flood. He then rose onto a mound called a *benben*. This mound was the first piece of land. Another group, the priests of Memphis, held a different belief. They believed the god Ptah created Atum through thought and speech. This idea is recorded on the Shabaka Stone.

Atum's role as a creator involved several different mythological processes. He was a self-created deity who emerged from darkness. One myth says he created his children through a sneeze. Other accounts suggest he used his saliva or semen. Some texts say he used his lips or his mouth. One specific myth describes him creating through masturbation. In this story, the hand he used represented a female principle. The Egyptian word for hand is feminine. Another version says he made union with his own shadow.

Atum's family was the foundation of the Egyptian divine lineage. He was the father of Shu and Tefnut. Shu was the god of air. Tefnut was the goddess of moisture. Together, they were the first divine couple. They were the ancestors of all other Egyptian deities. One story says Atum created them because he was lonely. When Shu and Tefnut disappeared into the dark waters, Atum was distressed. He sent the Eye of Ra, a fiery messenger, to find them. When they returned, Atum shed tears of joy. These tears became the first human beings.

Atum was also deeply connected to the movement of the sun. He was often identified with the evening sun. This was part of a larger solar cycle. The god Khepri represented the morning sun. The name Khepri comes from the word *ḫpr*, meaning "to come into existence." Atum and Khepri together covered the entire cycle of sunrise and sunset. Atum also had connections to the underworld. This is because the evening sun descends toward the horizon.

He was a god of both pre-existence and post-existence.

Artists depicted Atum in many different forms. He was often shown in human form. He sometimes wore the Double Crown of Upper and Lower Egypt. This reinforced his connection to kingship. In the Netherworld Books, he appeared as an old man leaning on a stick. This represented the aging evening sun. He was also shown as a serpent. This form represented the end of the creative cycle. Other depictions included a mongoose, a lion, a bull, a lizard, or an ape.

During the Greco-Roman period, he was sometimes shown as a standing ape.

Atum was worshiped throughout most of Egypt's history. His main center of worship was the city of Heliopolis. He was important as early as predynastic times. He was especially prominent during the Old Kingdom. This is seen in the Pyramid Texts. During the Old Kingdom, people believed he lifted the dead king's soul to the stars. He remained important through the Middle Kingdom. In the New Kingdom, the god Ra became more dominant. However, Atum remained relevant through special rituals.

One surviving piece of his history is an obelisk in Cairo. It was built by Senusret I of the Twelfth Dynasty.