Summary
Shu was the ancient Egyptian god of air, of the dry atmosphere and of the light that fills the space between earth and sky. The son of the creator Atum, he is best known for holding up the sky: he lifted his daughter Nut, the sky, away from his son Geb, the earth, so that the world could exist between them. He is shown as a man wearing a single ostrich feather on his head, often with his arms raised to support the heavens.
Shu and Tefnut
Shu and his twin sister and wife Tefnut, goddess of moisture, were the first couple created by Atum, the second generation of the Ennead. The pair were sometimes pictured as two lions, back to back, guarding the horizons where the sun rises and sets. Shu stood for the dry air and life-giving breath; Tefnut for moisture and dew.
Holding Up the Sky
Geb and Nut, earth and sky, were born locked in an embrace. Shu stepped between them and raised Nut high, creating the air and light in which every living thing breathes. In Egyptian art Shu stands or kneels with arms raised beneath the arched body of Nut, her fingers and toes touching the earth at the edges of the world, while Geb lies below. The same image appears on coffins and papyri, a reminder that the order of the world depended on the gods holding it in place.
The Feather of Shu
Shu wears a single tall feather, the same sign used for Maat, goddess of truth, which can make the two hard to tell apart; Shu is male and often has his arms raised. A beautiful ivory headrest from the tomb of Tutankhamun shows Shu kneeling between two lions and holding up the curved rest where the king’s head lay, as if supporting the sky itself.
8-Day Cairo, Siwa and White & Black Desert Adventure
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View This TripWhere to See Shu
Look for Shu and Nut on the painted ceilings and coffins in the Egyptian Museum, the royal tombs of the Valley of the Kings, and the astronomical ceiling of Dendera. Tutankhamun’s headrest is among his treasures at the Grand Egyptian Museum. Meet the other gods in ancient Egyptian gods.
Shu: FAQ
What is Shu the god of?
Air, the dry atmosphere and sunlight, the space between the earth and the sky.
Who were Shu’s parents and children?
He was the son of Atum; with Tefnut he fathered Geb, the earth, and Nut, the sky.
Why does Shu hold up the sky?
He separated the sky goddess Nut from the earth god Geb, creating space for life, and keeps them apart.
What is the symbol of Shu?
A single ostrich feather worn on his head.
































