Geb facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Geb |
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| God of the Earth and the Harvest | |
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| Symbol | barley, goose, bull, viper |
| Personal information | |
| Consort | Nut, Tefnut, Renenutet (some sources) |
| Offspring | Osiris, Isis, Set, Nephthys, Heru-ur, Nehebkau (some sources) |
| Parents | Shu and Tefnut |
| Siblings | Nut |
| Greek equivalent | Cronus |
In ancient Egyptian stories, Geb was the god of the Earth. He was often shown as a man lying down. Geb was the husband and brother of Nut, who was the goddess of the sky.
Geb and Nut had five children: Osiris, Isis, Nephthys, Horus, and Seth. When Seth and Horus (Osiris's son) fought to become king of Egypt, Geb chose Horus to rule the living. Geb's parents were Shu, the god of air, and Tefnut, the goddess of moisture.
Geb's name might mean "weak one" or "lame one." He was also known as the god of vegetation and crops. Other names for Geb included Seb, Keb, Kebb, Qeb, and Sebb. Sometimes, people compared Geb to the Greek Titan Kronos.
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Geb's Family and the World
Ancient Egyptian myths tell us about Geb and his sister, Nut. They were born holding onto each other very tightly. Their father, Shu, who was the god of air, had to separate them. This story explains why the earth and the sky are apart.
Geb and Nut later married. From their union, the sun was born. They also had five important children: Osiris, Isis, Nephthys, Horus, and Seth. These children became very important gods and goddesses in Egyptian mythology.
Why Egyptians Worshipped Geb
People mainly worshipped Geb during harvest times. Egyptians believed he helped their crops grow from the earth. He was also important for the journey of the soul after death. Because of this, Egyptians also worshipped him during times of sadness and mourning.
The city of Heliopolis was a main center for worshipping Geb.
What Geb Looked Like
Geb was often shown as a man. He sometimes wore the crown of North Egypt or the crown of South Egypt. Other times, he wore a white crown. A goose was also a common symbol for Geb. He sometimes wore a goose on his head, or his head was even shown as a goose's head.
In his hands, Geb usually held a staff. In his right hand, he often held an Ankh, which was an ancient Egyptian symbol for life. Geb's skin was sometimes green, representing the Nile River and its plants. It could also be black, showing the rich, fertile soil.
Later on, Geb was sometimes shown as a ram, a bull, or even a crocodile.
Interesting Facts About Geb
- Ancient Egyptians believed that earthquakes were caused by Geb's laughter. This is why he was sometimes called the Great Cackler.
- The main animals linked to Geb are the snake and the goose. A goose is often seen on his head.
- Like other gods, Geb was believed to be very strong and live for a long time. To show his power over life from the earth, Geb was sometimes drawn with flowers growing from his elbow.
See also
In Spanish: Geb para niños
