Atum God

The Egyptian civilization is considered one of the oldest ancient civilizations, known for its great developments in astronomy, medicine, architecture, art, and also religion. It established several temples for the worship of different gods. One of the oldest ancient Egyptian gods is Atum, who represents the first beginning of creation, according to ancient Egyptian beliefs.

Who is Atum?

Who- Is- Atum

Atum is considered one of the oldest ancient Egyptian deities. He is inscribed on temples in the form of a man wearing royal clothes with the white and red crown on his head as a symbol of Upper and Lower Egypt. He also holds a symbolic scepter in his left hand to show his power, and there is an ankh sign in his hand for its connection to life. He may be drawn in the form of several animals, including the serpent, the lion, the bull, and the lizard.

According to the theory of the Eye of the Sun in the creation of the universe, which the ancient Egyptians believed in, he is the king of the gods and is seen as the greatest and oldest eternal god who created the nine gods, and this is according to the beliefs of the ancient Egyptians. This was done by masturbating in his hand or by spitting. The center of his worship was in Heliopolis in the thirteenth nome.

The origin of the name Atum and its meaning in the ancient Egyptian language

The name Atum in the ancient Egyptian language refers to completeness or perfection, as it is believed to be derived from the verb “tem,” which means to complete or to be complete. He is symbolized by the primeval hill, as it is believed that he created himself on the primeval hill to indicate the beginning of existence and creation, which appeared clearly on a stone called the Benben stone. He was worshipped in Heliopolis, the thirteenth nome, in ancient times, then his appearance later developed on obelisks.

Atum’s role in the creation doctrine of the ancient Egyptians

Atum-Role-In-The-Creation-Doctrine-Of-The-Ancient-Egyptians

Atum is a clear symbol of the origin of the universe, according to ancient Egyptian beliefs, where it is believed that he created himself, so he created the world afterward. According to the Heliopolis creation myth, the eternal hill, the world appeared as a vast watery space known as Nun, which is the first solid land in the universe. It was believed that he inhabited the eternal hill and that he created himself. He is also considered male and female, meaning he is of dual creation.

The creation process included masturbation and spitting as a symbol of his ability to self-generate. During the formation of the world, Atum fathered both Shu and Tefnut, Isis, Osiris, Set, and Nephthys, thus completing the Ennead of Heliopolis. The creation myth embodied an explanation of the origins of the world and the divine order of the universe. Its symbolism was linked to the vitality of the lands and the cyclical nature of life after death, all of which was according to their beliefs in ancient times.

How did the Egyptians depict Atum in inscriptions and temples?

How-Did-The-Egyptians-Depict-Atum-In-Inscriptions-And-Temples

The ancient Egyptians depicted Atum on ancient Egyptian temples in the form of a man wearing Pharaonic clothes, with the double crown on his head, holding the scepter. He is also depicted as a serpent, according to the nature of eternity as the creator lord according to ancient Egyptian doctrine.

Some texts depict him in the form of a scarab, due to his association with the sun, as he is considered the lord of the sun. This is clearly shown in the form of the huge wall on the sacred lake in the Karnak temple. As the eternal lord, he is sometimes depicted in the form of the primeval hill.

One of the papyri currently in the Brooklyn Museum, dating back to ancient historical times, indicates the great importance that Atum had for the king and the ancient Egyptians. He was celebrated on the New Year’s festival to emphasize the religious importance of the king of Egypt.

The title of Atum in ancient times was “Father of the Kings of Egypt.” He is depicted as a source of royal power and authority. Amulets in the shape of a lizard, one of the god’s symbols, were hung around the necks in ancient times. Some texts in the Book of the Dead show the deceased’s desire to be close to the god to gain strength from him.

The relationship between Atum and Ra in solar beliefs

Atum was closely associated with the daily cycle of the sun, especially at the moment of its setting, according to the beliefs of the ancient Egyptians. It was believed that when the sun sets in the western direction, it represents Atum, who expresses the sun’s nightly journey in the underworld, for the renewal of the sun and its rebirth.

Atum is associated with the sun god, who is called the god Ra. It is believed that they merged with him during their nightly journey to the underworld. Thus, Atum-Ra was created. He is a symbol of divine transformation, to emphasize the cyclical nature of life, death, and resurrection.

The sun in its setting journey was depicted on the walls of temples and tombs in the form of Atum-Ra as a symbol of the cycle of life and renewal. It highlights an important aspect of the myths of the sun god. Therefore, he is a main character in Egyptian myths and cosmology.

Atum and the origin of the universe according to the Pyramid Texts

There is a close relationship between Atum’s creative actions and the formation of the world and humanity. In Egyptian cosmology and the appearance of the primeval hill, this hill was considered the foundation upon which the world was later built. Atum was known as the “Great He-She” for his ability to create himself.

Atum’s actions formed the basis of the natural world, by fathering subsequent generations of Egyptian gods. Atum’s creative works reflected the eternal cycle of creation and the concept of life and resurrection. His myths provided knowledge of the origins of life, the construction of the universe, and the cyclical nature of existence, according to their beliefs.

Symbols of Atum in ancient Egyptian art

Atum was depicted with many symbols in Egyptian art that were rich in symbolism and contributed to understanding his roles and attributes. We notice this in the following:

• He is depicted in the form of a human body, sometimes carrying the features of both sexes. He usually has a human head and wears the double crown of Upper and Lower Egypt.
• He is depicted wearing the sun disk surrounded by the Uraeus serpent, which symbolizes protection and divine authority.
• Atum is symbolized by lotus flowers and the papyrus plant, which were symbols of the duality of Upper and Lower Egypt.

How did the worship of Atum affect later religious thought in Egypt?

The worship of Atum evolved over time in Egypt to reflect religious, political, and social developments. We notice this in the following different periods:

• The Old Kingdom: His worship appeared during it as a creator god, and he was worshipped with other gods such as Ptah and Bennu.
• The Middle Kingdom: The god transformed during this stage into a solar god, especially at the time of sunset.
• The Second Intermediate Period: The worship of Atum declined to a decentralized degree due to the emergence of local gods.
• The New Kingdom: The worship of Atum flourished and his association with the sun developed.

Conclusion

Atum is considered the oldest of the ancient Egyptian gods, according to the ancient Egyptian beliefs of the Heliopolis school. He is considered the lord of the gods, the beginning of existence, and the master of creation. He represents the idea of the beginning and the end. Therefore, he was sacred in the religious texts and temples of the ancient Egyptians.

FAQs

Are Ra and Atum the same god?

No, Atum was symbolized as the god of creation, while the god Ra is symbolized as the god of the sun. But they are merged together in the sun’s nightly journey as a symbol of resurrection and immortality.

What is the difference between Atum and Ptah?

Atum is considered the first creator god and the lord of the gods, and he is the oldest of the Egyptian gods. Ptah is considered the creator god by the word and the idea, and he is represented as the patron of craftsmen and builders.

Who was the first god of Egypt?

Atum is considered the god of Egypt, according to the school of Heliopolis, as he was the first to bring about creation.

Was Atum male or female?

He is considered a male god in terms of his depiction, as he was depicted as a man. As for the cosmic principle, he represents masculine and feminine perfection.

What is the symbol of Atum?

He was depicted as a man wearing the white and red crown as a symbol of the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt.