Tefnut

From ArchaeoWiki

Tefnut was the ancient Egyptian goddess of moisture.

Forms and Iconography

Although Tefnut could be represented in full anthropomorphic form as a divine female figure (wearing a lappet wig and a solar disc and / or uraeus), more usually she was depicted as a lioness or lioness-headed goddess (doubtless to reflect her leonine associations [cf below]).

An alternative, though far less common depiction of Tefnut was as a rearing serpent on a sceptre, or even as a lion-headed snake.

Cult and Worship

Head-rest depicting Shu in anthropomorphic form and the twin lions of yesterday and tomorrow (Shu and Tefnut). The deity thus supported the head of the king and therefore—symbolically—the sun. Ivory. Late Eighteenth Dynasty. Tomb of Tutankhamun KV 62, Valley of the Kings. Cairo Museum

The primary cult centres for Tefnut were Heliopolis (where she was accorded a sanctuary as a member of the Heliopolitan Ennead) and Leontopolis in the Delta region (where she was venerated together with her brother and husband Shu, in the form of two lions). Popular worship of the goddess was probably largely restricted to the area surrounding these cult centres, although amulets and plaques depicting or mentioning Tefnut are known from the Late Period.

Bibliography