Atum

Atum (also known as Tem or Temu) is a primordial god in ancient Egyptian religion who was considered to be the first god and the finisher of the world. He was the creator deity who emerged from the chaos waters of Nun at the beginning of time. Atum's name is derived from the Egyptian ṯm, meaning "to complete" or "to finish." In Hebrew, Atum can be translated as אתום. In other languages, Atum is known as Atum-Ra in Coptic, and his name is often transliterated similarly in various languages, such as Atun in Spanish and Atoum in French. Atum was often depicted as a man wearing the double crown of Egypt or as a serpent, emphasizing his role as both a king and a creator. He was central to the creation myth of Heliopolis, where he was believed to have created the first pair of gods, Shu and Tefnut, through masturbation or spitting. This act of creation underscores his role as a self-sufficient and self-generating deity. Atum was also associated with the setting sun and the underworld, reflecting his dual role as a creator and a destroyer.