Geb
Geb, an essential deity in the Egyptian pantheon, presided over the Earth, embodying its fertility, vegetation, and the mysterious forces of earthquakes.
Revered as the divine progenitor of all living things, he was closely associated with the cycles of growth and abundance. Often depicted lying beneath the arched body of his wife, the sky goddess Nut, Geb symbolized the nourishing soil that sustained life. His domain extended beyond the terrestrial realm to encompass serpents, which were revered as symbols of regeneration and the cycles of life and death.
Symbols: Barley, goose, bull, viper
Parents: Shu and Tefnut
Siblings: Nut
Consort: Nut and Tefnut
Children: Osiris, Isis, Set, Nephthys and Horus the Elder
Greek equivalent: Cronus
Roman equivalent: Saturn
In Egyptian mythology, Geb’s association with snakes was profound, symbolizing his role as the father of these creatures and their connection to the Earth’s fertility and renewal. The image of a viper coiled around his head signified his dominion over serpents, which were revered as symbols of both life and death. According to ancient beliefs, Geb’s laughter was believed to manifest as earthquakes, underscoring his immense power over the land and its geological processes. Additionally, his benevolent influence was thought to ensure the flourishing of crops, highlighting his pivotal role in sustaining agricultural abundance and the overall prosperity of the land.
Geb and Nut played integral roles in the creation and structure of the world. Geb, as the god of the Earth, and Nut, the goddess of the sky, were believed to be the children of the primordial deities Shu (air) and Tefnut (moisture). Together, Geb and Nut formed a divine partnership that established the fundamental boundary between the primeval waters and the emerging cosmos.
Nut arched over Geb, representing the sky, while Geb lay beneath her, symbolizing the Earth. Their eternal embrace created the framework for existence, with Nut’s celestial expanse above and Geb’s terrestrial realm below, ensuring the balance and stability of the universe. This cosmic union of Geb and Nut reflected the Egyptian understanding of the interconnectedness of the elements and the divine order that governed the world.
