Geb

From ArchaeoWiki

Geb was the ancient Egyptian primordial deity who personified the physical earth. The son of Shu and Tefnut, Geb reflected powers and qualities that were simultaneously inimical, beneficent and supportive of the kingship.

1 Function
2 Forms and Iconography
3 Cult
4 Bibliography

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Function

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Forms and Iconography

Geb was most frequently depicted in anthropomorphic form, depicted either as a male figure wearing the Crown of Lower Egypt, or as a male figure reclining (usually supported by one elbow) beneath the overarching sky (usually personified by the goddess Nut). In the latter type of scene, the erect phallus of Geb may be depicted pointing towards the goddess as a symbol of their union.

The associations of the god in the myths of creation gave rise to Geb's common depiction as a white-fronted goose or as a man bearing a goose on his head. Geb could also be portrayed as a male figure with the head of a hare, as seen in the Tomb of Ramesses VI (KV 9).

Regardless of his various forms, the god was often depicted with green skin, symbolising his earthly, fertile nature and association with the plant life that sprang from him. In some cases, this symbolism is made explicit with the body of Geb decorated with plants or plant hieroglyhs (especially the reed [i]).

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Cult

In keeping with most of the primordial deities, Geb was apparently not venerated by means of a major cult separate to himself; nonetheless, the god appears in a large nu,ber of religious and temple scenes and played an important role in some facets of popular religion.

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