To the Egyptians, the journey began with the creation of the world and the universe out of darkness and swirling chaos. Once there was nothing but endless dark water without form or purpose. Existing within this void was Heka (god of magic) who awaited the moment of creation. Out of this watery silence (`Nu’) rose the primordial hill, known as the Ben-Ben, upon which stood the great god Atum (or, in some versions of the myth, Ptah). Atum looked upon the nothingness and recognized his aloneness and so, through the agency of magic, he mated with his own shadow to give birth to two children, Shu (god of air, whom Atum spat out) and Tefnut (goddess of moisture, whom Atum vomited out). Shu gave to the early world the principles of life while Tefnut contributed the principles of order.
Leaving their father on the Ben-Ben, they set out to establish the world. In time, Atum became concerned because his children were gone so long and so removed his eye and sent it in search of them. While his eye was gone, Atum sat alone on the hill in the midst of chaos and contemplated eternity. Shu and Tefnut returned with the eye of Atum (later associated with the Udjat eye, the Eye of Ra, or the All-Seeing Eye) and their father, grateful for their safe return, shed tears of joy. These tears, dropping onto the dark, fertile earth of the Ben-Ben, gave birth to men and women.
COMMENTARY
The Egyptian creation story began with darkness and spinning chaos. Once there was nothing but endless dark water without form or purpose. The creation happened in the most unexpected way a person can ever thought of. I believe creation stories are indeed a creative way to explain how things came up and how things are created by Gods and Goddesses.
In the creation story of Egypt everything started in darkness and liquid forms we excrete out of our body like vomit, spit and, tears. This is what makes Egyptian’s creation story different from other country’s myth. Some creation stories begin from a cracked off egg or molded by a God. A feather called “Maat”, the principle of harmonious balance, is at the heart of them all. It is also likely similar to the famous Greek Gods and Goddesses. Gods and Goddesses who has the same virtue and power just like Greeks. Egypt’ creation story might be unbelievable but it is impressive. Egypt is one of the early civilizations in this world. They have painted walls and scriptures that recorded how their living all began. This makes the Egyptian creation stories amusing. No one knows but it can be true.
The Egyptian Creation story depicts a different and unique context of how everything began and how all aspects of life can be possible. They have less conflict compared to other creation story. Egypt has a very opulent culture, tradition , and literature. The mythology of the ancient Egyptians reflected that joy in living and inspired the great temples and monuments which are such a part of Egypt’s legacy today. The enduring admiration for Egyptian mythology, and the culture it informed, is a testimony to the power of the life-affirming message inherent in these ancient tales.