Benben
Primeval mound from which creation began in Heliopolitan myth.
Jengtingchen · CC BY-SA 4.0
Benben is a central concept in the Heliopolitan creation myth of ancient Egyptian religion. It refers to the primeval mound that arose from the primordial waters (Nu), upon which the creator deity Atum settled. The Benben stone, named after this mound, was a sacred stone in the temple of Ra at Heliopolis (Egyptian: Annu or Iunu) and is associated with the capstones of pyramids (pyramidia) and obelisks.
- Field
- Ancient Egyptian religion and mythology
- Known for
- Primeval mound in creation myth; prototype for pyramid capstones and obelisks
- Associated deity
- Atum
- Associated location
- Heliopolis (Annu or Iunu)
- Related objects
- Benben stone, pyramidion, obelisk
Lore & Background
In the Heliopolitan creation myth, Benben was the mound that emerged from the primordial waters (Nu). The creator deity Atum settled upon it. In the Pyramid Texts (e.g., Utterances 587 and 600), Atum himself is at times referred to as 'mound'. The mound was said to have turned into a small pyramid in Heliopolis, within which Atum dwelled. Other cities developed their own myths of the primeval mound; at Memphis, the god Tatenen personified it.
The Benben stone, named after the mound, was a sacred stone in the temple of Ra at Heliopolis. It was the location on which the first rays of the sun fell. It is thought to have been the prototype for later obelisks and the capstones of the great pyramids (pyramidia). Many Benben stones, often carved with images and inscriptions, are found in museums around the world. The bird deity Bennu, probably the inspiration for the phoenix, was venerated at Heliopolis, where it was said to live on the Benben stone or on the holy willow tree. According to Barry Kemp, the connection between the benben, the phoenix, and the sun may have been based on alliteration: the rising (weben) of the sun sending its rays toward the benben, on which the bennu bird lives.
Reader's Guide
The Benben concept is significant as a foundational element in ancient Egyptian cosmology, representing the first solid ground in the creation narrative. Its physical manifestation, the Benben stone, served as a sacred object in the temple of Ra at Heliopolis and influenced the design of monumental architecture. The pointed, pyramidal form of the Benben is considered the model for pyramids and obelisks, while the round-topped form became a free-standing votive object. During the Fifth Dynasty, the portrayal of Benben was formalized as a squat obelisk, evolving into a long, thin obelisk in the Middle Kingdom. In the Amarna Period tomb of Panehesy, the benben appears as a large, round-topped stela on a raised platform. The Benben stone's association with the sun's first rays and the Bennu bird links it to solar worship and the concept of rebirth. Its legacy endures in the pyramidia that capped the great pyramids, which were likely polished or clad to shine in sunlight, symbolizing the primeval mound and the creator's first emergence.
Gallery
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Benben in Egyptian mythology?
The Benben is the first piece of dry land to rise from the cosmic waters of Nu in the Heliopolitan creation narrative. It serves as the platform where the self-created god Atum establishes himself to begin the act of creation.
What is the Benben stone and where was it located?
The Benben stone was a sacred object housed in the temple complex at Heliopolis (known in Egyptian as Annu or Iunu). It physically represented the mythological primeval mound and functioned as a focal point for the worship of Ra.
How is the Benben connected to pyramids and obelisks?
Egyptian architects modeled the pyramidion (the capstone of a pyramid) and the pointed tips of obelisks on the shape of the Benben mound. This linked monumental architecture to the idea that these structures were earthly echoes of the first hill of creation.
Which deity is most closely tied to the Benben?
Atum, the self-generated creator god of the Heliopolitan tradition, is the primary deity associated with the Benben. In the myth, he is the one who rises from the waters and takes his place upon the mound to speak the world into existence.
Why is the Benben considered important in Egyptian religious thought?
The Benben encapsulates the core Heliopolitan idea that creation emerged from formless waters through a single point of solid ground. It gave theological meaning to Heliopolis as the 'place of emergence' and justified its temple as the spiritual center of the cosmos.
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