Min
Chief of Heaven
Symbols: phallus, lettuce, bull
Depiction: Min was depicted as a bearded ithyphallic man carrying a lightening bolt in one raised arm. Min’s legs were close together and he wore the headdress of Amon.
Mythology: In pre-dynastic times, Min was the god of the sky and chief of heaven. From the time of the Middle Kingdom to the New Kingdom, Min was called Shu or Re and was identified with Horus the Elder. During the time of the New Kingdom, Min was associated with Amon-Re. Also, at this time, his popularity rose and orgiastic festivals were held in his honor. This stands to reason because Min was the god of fertility. Egyptian men believed that Min bestowed sexual powers on them. Min was the rain god who nourished the fields with his seed. Min’s sacred plant was long lettuce because the Egyptians believed it had aphrodisiac properties and because it produced a milky semen-like sap.
