Tefnut

Tefnut is an ancient Egyptian goddess associated with moisture, rain, and dew. She is often depicted as a lioness or a woman with a lioness head, a representation that links her to the fierce and powerful nature of the sun, as well as the protective qualities of a lioness. As a primordial deity, Tefnut plays a crucial role in the creation myth of Heliopolis. In this narrative, she is considered one of the first beings to emerge from the primeval waters of Nun, alongside her brother and consort, Shu, the god of air.

Together, Shu and Tefnut are the parents of Geb, the earth god, and Nut, the sky goddess. This divine union represents the fundamental forces of creation, with air and moisture being essential elements for life to emerge. Tefnut's connection to moisture is vital for the fertility of the land, and as such, she was revered as a life-giving goddess. Her tears, shed in anger or sorrow, were said to have formed the first humans. This myth highlights her importance in the ongoing cycle of creation and sustenance.

Her name, Tefnut, is thought to derive from the Coptic word for "moisture" or "rain." While she was a significant figure in the early Egyptian pantheon, her worship was most prominent in Heliopolis, the city of the sun, where the creation myth originated. Over time, her role sometimes merged with other goddesses, but her essence as the bringer of life-giving moisture remained a consistent aspect of her identity.