Nefertem
/ˈnɛfərtɛm/noun
An ancient Egyptian deity associated with the blue lotus, perfume, healing, and the rising sun.
Did you know?Nefertem was closely linked with the fragrant blue lotus, whose scent and imagery connected ritual perfume, rebirth, healing, and the dawn sun.
Etymological Timeline
Old Egyptian, 3rd Millennium BCE
Egyptian
nfr
“Good, beautiful, perfect, or complete”
Old Egyptian, 3rd Millennium BCE
Egyptian
tm
“To complete, finish, or bring to an end; also associated with the creator deity Atum”
Old Kingdom, c. 2686–2181 BCE
Egyptian
Nfr-tm
“A divine name combining beauty or perfection with completion; later understood as Nefertem”
New Kingdom, c. 1550–1070 BCE
Egyptian
Nfr-tm
“The lotus-associated god of fragrance, healing, rebirth, and the sun’s emergence”
Ptolemaic and Roman Egypt, c. 332 BCE–395 CE
Greek/Egyptian
Nefertem
“The Egyptian god’s name rendered in Greek-influenced contexts”
Modern English
English
Nefertem
“A name for the ancient Egyptian deity associated with the lotus, perfume, healing, and sunrise”