The Sculptor Who Gives Life; Lord of Destiny; Father of Fathers, Mother of Mothers; Lord of the Cool Water
Khnum is a particularly ancient deity, as is his original consort, Frog Lady Heket. Their myths explain that they were here from the beginning: they precede creation; they transcend time. In parts of southern Egypt, Khnum was believed to be the Supreme Creator who first fashioned humans from Nile River clay on his potter’s wheel, while Heket assisted with the breath of life.
Khnum fashions the bodies of children on his potter’s wheel and places them into their mother’s womb. In one Egyptian creation legend, Khnum creates all the deities of Egypt in this fashion. The spirit of pottery, Khnum shaped the Earth and all its inhabitants out of clay.
Khnum is the Lord of barley and wheat, flowers, fruit, birds, fish and animals. In one creation legend, Khnum wearies of the labours of creating and maintaining all life. Eventually, he created a device to relieve him of his burden: by placing a replica of his potter’s wheel into the womb of female creatures, he was able to transmit his creative power.
