God has their Eye on you . . .

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This vase story will double your pleasure! It is for two vases, collectively known as ‘Original Twin’, and tells the tale of a genderless god, child yielding spit and vomit, the creation of the world, a wandering eye and comes to us from ancient Egypt.

Original Twin – on display at Oxford Riverside Gallery – The Myth of Family Show

In the beginning there was the chaotic waters of Nu (also called Nun). From these swirling chaotic waters Atum willed themselves into existence. The genderless Atum also possessed an all knowing and seeing eye.

Being beyond gender simplified child birth for Atum. They were able to spit out their first child, a son, Shu, god of the air. He must have been a real mouthful.

The birth of their daughter, Telfnut, goddess of moisture, was a little messier. She vomited Telfnut up. Messy, but not quite as messy as child birth.

Original Twin – Telfnut

Original Twin – Shu

If you thought your parents had high expectations of you, you might empathize with Shu and Telfnut. Atum had charged them with creating order out of chaos.

Shu and Telfnut started with creating the earth (Geb) and the sky (Nut). Slowly over time the order of the world as we know it came to be, but in that process Shu and Telfnut were lost in the remaining darkness. Imagine losing your children in a never ending void!

Atum was desperate to find their offspring. They removed their all seeing eye and sent it out to search for Shu and Telfnut. When twins returned with the eye, the eye wept tears of joy and men sprung up where the tears hit the Earth.

Maybe that is why we are made of mostly water and a little salty! Do you know any twins or have any good twin stories? If so, share them in the comments below. What do you think of the vases and their story? You can see more images of the twins – here. And you can check out more raku vase stories here!

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47 Comments

    1. Thank you for your kind comment, Trey! I hope you are keeping safe and well

      Reply

  4. The Original Twin pair are sensuous and full like calm primordial soup leaning into its intent of giving form to the formless to carry to full term and birth the Universe. Wonderful feel to the calm though subtly intense colors and shapes and patterns, like the fingerprints of the Universe’s parents. Love these!

    Reply

      1. I’m trying. I have been getting out more. I think that is a mistake. Cases are increasing rapidly in this area.

    1. Thank you, Priscilla! I have an affinity to Shu as well, but also love all the cracks in Telfnut

      Reply

    1. Thank you Eugenia! It is always lovely to hear from you. Hope you are keeping well!

      Reply

    1. Thank you for your kind words and especially for joining us! We look forward to seeing you again 🙂

      Reply

  18. BEAUTIFUL pottery. Love the “twins” and I have identical twin girls! I have so many twin stories. We used to say that just when the girls were about to do some mischief we would hear the ‘evil’ laugh. ha ha. One time we heard ‘the laugh’ and we found the wee ones in their new ‘sand box’ which was our kitty litter.

    Reply

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