The god Geb is one of the oldest in the Egyptian pantheon. He is the son of Shu, the god of air and moisture, and Tefnut, goddess of moisture. Geb is the earth personified and carries the cultivated vegetation on his back. Four geese, released at the start of a new pharaohs reign, were supposed to bring good luck. Geese are Gebs sacred animal.
Geb is married to his sister Nut, who is the goddess of the sky and stars. They had such a close relationship that Shu became jealous and enraged, and forcefully pried them apart. Shu then became the air of the world, with is daughter the sky and his son the earth. In other myths, Ra forces Shu to separate the two deities.
Geb and Nut had five children. They are: Osiris, Isis, Set, and Nephthys. His sons, Osiris and Set, are a large part of one of the biggest conflicts in ancient Egyptian mythology.
Geb himself served as the third divine pharaoh, after Amun and Shu. After Geb, Osiris served as the divine pharaoh until his death at the hands of Set. Geb’s reign began badly, after the crown of Ra read his guilt for raping his mother Tefnut. The crown killed his friends and nearly killed Geb as well. It was only through the quick application of Ra’s hair that he survived.
Geb- Part of the Cult of the Dead
Geb plays a large part in the cult of the dead. He travels with Amun/Ra through the Underworld during the night, helping to guide and protect the sun god as part of the crew of the solar boat.
Geb is mentioned several times throughout the Pyramid Texts and the Book of the dead. Many pharaohs considered Geb to be their “noble ancestor.” In one passage, the gatekeeper brings the pharaoh to Geb after he passes the gate. Geb then “…Rejoices at your coming, gives you his hands. Kisses you, caresses you, sets you before the spirits, the imperishable stars.” (Utterance 373, Old Kingdom)