Also called Su, He who rises up.
Their story
Shu was the first son of Atum, brought into being with his sister Tefnut. He is the dry air and light that fill the space between earth and sky. With raised arms he lifted his daughter Nut, the sky, away from her husband Geb, the earth, making room for life to exist. The Coffin Texts contain a group of spells in which the dead identify with Shu to share his breath and rise to the sky.
Best times to give to them
- dawn
- the epagomenal days
What they like being given
- incense
- a feather
- fresh air let in through an open window
- water
How to honour them
- Open a window and take a few slow breaths in his honour.
- Burn incense and watch the smoke rise, a simple way of honouring the air.
How they can help you
- breathing space
- calm
- clearing the head
- making room between people who quarrel
Symbols
- ostrich feather
- raised arms
- lion
- four-plumed crown
Sources
- Coffin Texts, Spells 75-83
- Pyramid Texts
- Pinch, Egyptian Mythology
More Egyptian gods
- Osiris Lord of the afterlife and new growth
- Horus The falcon, protector of the rightful king
- Ra The sun who sails the sky
- Thoth Scribe of the gods, lord of wisdom
- Anubis Guardian and guide of the dead
- Khonsu The Traveller, the moon who heals
- Amun The hidden king of the gods at Thebes
- Ptah Creator by word and patron of craftsmen