Nefertem

Nefertem (also Nefertum, Nefer - Tem, Nefer - Temu ) is a deity in ancient Egyptian mythology. He was patron of ointments, anointing oils and fragrances, but mainly the youthful god of the lotus flower.

Iconography

The representation of the Nefertem done as a youthful god, which can be very different: On the one hand as a man with lotus on his head, occasionally standing on a reclining lion with sickle or sword in his left hand; on the other, with a human body with a lion head or completely as a lion. Characteristic of Nefertem but is mainly the blue lotus.

Typical representations of the Nefertem

Sprout Nefertem with blue lotus, from the two high feathers

Tutankhamun as Nefertem on a blue lotus flower (Egyptian Museum Cairo, JE 60723 )

Talisman of Osorkon ( Third Intermediate Period ) with Nefertem that rises from the lotus ( Louvre E10943 )

Mythology

The Egyptian mythology, the lotus flower emerged from the primeval waters, whose God was Nefertem. So God was equated not only with the blue lotus, but also with the sun god, who also emerged from the plant. Therefore, many depictions show him on a lotus flower sitting, from which he emerged. Thus arose at the time of the Old Kingdom, the connection to Re. In the pyramid texts it means to Nefertem: Lotus flower on the nose of Re.

He is the son of Ptah, his mother is either Sekhmet or Bastet and Sekhmet and Ptah, together with the triad of Memphis. In Buto you saw Nefertem however, as the son of the serpent goddess Uto. Next you will find links to the gods Month, Horus and Sokar, in the late period even Bes.

Cult

Nefertem was due to its mythological characteristics primarily the god of royal and divine monuments. Compared to other deities, he was much less revered but increasingly feared as the son of Sekhmet. For example, divine decrees in the form of amulets are obtained from the Third Intermediate Period, which were made ​​for the birth of a child and to protect Nefertem this, inter alia manifestations of God. However, there was also protective amulets with the image of Nefertem. Since the New Kingdom the deceased occurs in the wake of Nefertem.