The Ennead

The Ennead refers to a sacred group of nine deities in ancient Egyptian religion, especially venerated at Heliopolis, one of the oldest and most important religious centers in Egypt. The term comes from the Greek word ennea, meaning "nine."

The Great Ennead of Heliopolis
The Great Ennead was developed by priests of Heliopolis to explain the creation of the world and the divine lineage of the gods. It begins with a single creator and expands through generations of divine offspring:

Atum – The self-created creator god who emerged from the primordial waters (Nun). He is considered the origin of all things.

Shu – God of air, created by Atum. Represents the life force and atmosphere.

Tefnut – Goddess of moisture, also created by Atum. She embodies humidity and order.

Geb – God of the earth; son of Shu and Tefnut.

Nut – Goddess of the sky; daughter of Shu and Tefnut.

Osiris – God of the afterlife, resurrection, and fertility; son of Geb and Nut.

Isis – Goddess of magic and motherhood; sister-wife of Osiris.

Set (Seth) – God of chaos, desert, and storms; brother and rival of Osiris.

Nephthys – Goddess of mourning and protection; sister of Isis and Set.

Additional Notes
Horus the Elder, a sky god, is sometimes mentioned in early versions of the Ennead, but he is more often associated with later myths and different divine groupings.

The Ennead reflects a theological framework, not just a family tree. It was a way for ancient Egyptians to organize and explain cosmic forces, divine authority, and the order of the universe.

Why It Matters
The concept of the Ennead was central to Egyptian cosmology and state religion, influencing temple rituals, pharaonic identity, and the integration of other deities into a structured pantheon. It remains a foundational idea for understanding how ancient Egyptians viewed the divine world and their place within it.