Shu

Family: Egyptian gods · Role: god · First appears: The History of Creation — A

In the History of Creation A, Neb-er-tcher brought Shu and Tefnut into being. After two hen periods, they brought Neb-er-tcher his Eye, then brought forth Keb and Nut. In version B, Neb-er-tcher likewise emitted Shu and Tefnut, but they brought forth Osiris, Heru-khent-an-maati, Set, Isis and Nephthys.

In the Legend of the Destruction of Mankind, Nu directed Shu and Nut to help him; Nut became a cow and carried Ra on her back. Ra then told Shu to support Nut and nurse her. A hymn to Horus describes Shu and Tefnut as children of Ra.

Relationship record

Life events

• Neb-er-tcher brought Shu and Tefnut into being.(The History of Creation — A)
  • With: Neb-er-tcher Tefnut
  • “I sent forth from myself issue in the form of the gods Shu and Tefnut.”
• Shu and Tefnut brought Neb-er-tcher his Eye after two hen periods had passed.(The History of Creation — A)
  • With: Tefnut Neb-er-tcher
  • “Then Shu and Tefnut rejoiced from out of the inert watery mass wherein they I were, and they brought to me my Eye (i.e., the Sun).”
• Shu and Tefnut brought forth Seb and Nut.(The History of Creation — A)
  • With: Tefnut Keb Nut
  • “Shu and Tefnut brought forth [Seb and] Nut;”
• Neb-er-tcher emitted Shu and Tefnut from himself.(The History of Creation — B)
  • With: Neb-er-tcher Tefnut
  • “I it was who emitted Shu, and I it was who emitted Tefnut, and from being the ONE, god (or, the only god) I became three gods;”
• Shu and Tefnut brought forth Osiris, Heru-khenti-an-maa, Set, Isis, and Nephthys.(The History of Creation — B)
  • With: Tefnut Osiris Heru-khent-an-maati Set Isis Nephthys
  • “Then Shu and Tefnut brought forth Osiris, and Heru-khenti-an-maa, and Set, and Isis, and Nephthys”
• Nu directed Shu and Nut to help him, and Nut became a cow and carried Ra on her back.(The Legend of the Destruction of Mankind · Chapter I · Part 2)
  • With: Nu Nut
  • “And the Majesty of the god Nu said, “O son Shu, be thou the Eye 'for thy father . . . . . and avenue (?) him, and 'thou goddess Nut, place him . . . . . ... And the goddess Nut said, “How can this be then, O my father Nu? Hail,” said Nut . . . . . to the god Nu, and the goddess straightway became [a cow], and she set the Majesty of Ra upon [her] back . . . . .”
• Ra ordered Shu to support Nut and nurse her.(The Legend of the Destruction of Mankind · Chapter I · Part 2)
  • With: Ra Nut
  • “And the Majesty of Ra said, ‘O my son Shu, I pray thee to set thyself under [my] daughter Nut, and guard thou for me the supports (heh) of the millions (heh) which are there, and which live in darkness. Take thou the goddess upon thy head, and act thou as nurse for her;’”