Tefnut, also referred to as Tefenet or Tefnet, was a prominent goddess in ancient Egyptian mythology, embodying the duality of moisture and dryness, alongside connections to both the sun and the moon. Revered as one of the “Eyes of Ra,” she symbolized the lunar aspect of moisture and the solar aspect of dryness, mirroring the cyclic nature of existence. Her name translates to “She of moisture,” tracing back to Egyptian terminology related to moisture and liquid.
Visually, Tefnut is often represented as a lioness or a woman adorned with a lion’s head. She is frequently depicted with a solar disk and Uraeus, while holding a sceptre symbolizing authority and the ankh, which denotes the breath of life. Occasionally, she is shown in the form of a cobra, further emphasizing her diverse representations.
Initially, Tefnut was associated with the moon and the night, aligning her with dew, rain, and mists. Nonetheless, as a manifestation of the sun, she also protected the sun god, embodying roles such as “Lady of the Flame” and embodying the Uraeus, a protective symbol placed upon the heads of deities. Her collaborative role with other goddesses like Sekhmet, Hathor, Mut, Bast, Isis, Wadjet, and Nekhbet illustrates the interwoven nature of Egyptian mythology.
The complexities of Tefnut’s familial background include her association with Tefen, as suggested by the Pyramid Texts. The texts refer to Tefnut and Tefen’s involvement in the judgment of the dead, where the heart of the deceased was weighed against the feather of Ma’at, the goddess of truth. While Tefen’s significance diminished over time, Tefnut maintained her ties to Ma’at. In prominent cities like Heliopolis (Iunu, On) and Thebes (Waset), she was often regarded as the progeny of the creator god (whether Amun, Atum, or Ra), sister-wife to Shu, and mother to Geb and Nut. Illustrations sometimes depict her assisting Shu in upholding Nut (the sky) over Geb (the earth). In Memphis, she held the title of the “Tongue of Ptah,” implying her role in the creation of life.
According to lore, Shu and Tefnut ventured into the chaotic waters of Nun. Their father, Ra, believed them lost and dispatched his eye in search of them. Upon their return, Ra’s joy led to tears that birthed humanity.
One intriguing story recounts a dispute between Tefnut and Ra, which caused her to depart Egypt for Nubia, taking moisture with her. This action resulted in drought and suffering in Egypt. In her lioness form, Tefnut wreaked havoc in Nubia until Ra sent Thoth and Shu to retrieve her. Upon her return, she restored fertility to the land, delighting the Egyptian people.
These narratives may have originally concerned Anhur (also known as Onuris) and Menhet, or variations featuring Hathor or Sekhmet, demonstrating the fluidity of mythological stories over time. During the reign of Akhenaten, despite a shift in religious practices, Tefnut and Shu remained revered, as Akhenaten and Nefertiti were often portrayed as twin lion deities, hinting that Atenism was never purely monotheistic but rather a form of henotheistic solar worship.
