Bennu () is an ancient Egyptian deity linked with the Sun, creation, and rebirth. He may have been the original inspiration for the phoenix legends that developed in Greek mythology.
Roles
According to Egyptian mythology, Bennu was a self-created being said to have played a role in the creation of the world. He was said to be the ba (personality component of the soul) of the sun deity Ra, and to have enabled the creative actions of Atum. The deity was said to have flown over the waters of Nun that existed before creation, landing on a rock and issuing a call that determined the nature of creation. He was also a symbol of rebirth and, therefore, was associated with Osiris.
Some of the titles of Bennu were "He Who Came Into Being by Himself", It lived on the Arabian Peninsula and shared many characteristics with Bennu, and scientists believe it may have been the animal model for the deity. In reference to this, archaeologist Dr. Ella Hoch from the Geological Museum at Copenhagen University named it the Bennu heron (Ardea bennuides).
Worship
thumb|A depiction of Bennu with a sun disk on his head, from the tomb of Irynefer at [[Deir el-Medina]]
Like Atum and Ra, Bennu was probably worshipped in the deities' cult centre at Heliopolis. His description of the phoenix likens it to an eagle with red and gold plumage, reminiscent of the sun.