Nefertem is the lord of fragrance and perfume. He reminds us that perfume can be more than just a pleasant fragrance. He presides over ritual, erotic, therapeutic, and shamanic uses of fragrance. Nefertem brought a water lily to the solar deity Ra to ease his suffering.
Nefertem, the subject of many amulets, is usually identified as the son of Ptah and Sekhmet. The goddesses Bastet and Wadjet are sometimes identified as his mother instead. Nefertem is sometimes considered an aspect of the solar creator of the universe, known variously as Ra, Atum, or Ammon.
ALSO KNOWN AS:
Nefert-Temu; Nefertum
ORIGIN:
Egypt
FAVOURED PEOPLE:
Perfumers, aromatherapists
ICONOGRAPHY:
Nefertem is usually depicted as a handsome young man bearing a lotus and standing on a lion. He is sometimes envisioned with a lion’s head and a mummy’s body, combining the images of his parents, Sekhmet and Ptah. He may be depicted as a human head emerging from a water lily.
PLANET:
Sun
Flower:
Blue lotus (Nymphaea caerulea) (Although called a lotus, it’s really a water lily.)
OFFERINGS:
Flowers, incense
SEE ALSO:
- Ammon
- Bastet
- Ptah
- Sekhmet
- Wadjet
SOURCE:
Encyclopedia of Spirits: The Ultimate Guide to the Magic of Fairies, Genies, Demons, Ghosts, Gods & Goddesses– Written by :Judika Illes Copyright © 2009 by Judika Illes.
