Geb

In Egyptian mythology, Geb was the personification of the earth, the god of agriculture. The earth itself was referred to as “The House of Geb.” His name means “Goose” or “Earth” (the same hieroglyphic was used for both words.) As a vegetation god, he was shown lying down with green patches or plants on his body. To do "green things" was slang for beneficial, life-producing behavior. Geb was called “the Great Cackler,” and as such, was often represented as a black goose. It was in this form that he was said to have laid the egg from which the sun was hatched. The laughter of Geb was thought to cause earthquakes, and barley was said to grow from his ribs.

Geb was pictured as a man with a goose on his head, or as a Nile goose. The Egyptian hieroglyphic for goose was used in words such as “fat” and “plumb” – hence further connecting Geb with the richness of the earth. The accession of the new pharaoh was announced by releasing four wild geese to the four corners of the sky, to bless his reign with prosperity.

Geb is a son of Shu and Tefnut and a god of fertility and the Earth. The Egyptians were unusual in this regard; in other mythologies, the Earth is usually represented by a goddess. Geb is one of the Ennead. With Nuit, he was the father of Osiris, Isis, Horus, Seth and Nepththys. With Renenutet, he was the father of Nehebkau.

The “Hymn of Geb” says: “Behold, I rejoice on my standard, on my seat. I am the Creator of Darkness, making his place in the limits of the sky, the Ruler of Infinity. I rejoice in the Lord of the Palace. My Nest is unseen; I have broken the Egg. I am the Lord of Millions of Years. I have made my Nest in the limits of the sky, and descended to the earth as the Goose, who drives out all sins.”

Other names

• Seb
• Keb