Khnum is commonly depicted seated beside a potter's wheel, with a formed entity standing upon it, symbolizing his act of creation. Statues of Khnum, Satis, and Anuket, along with
Isis and
Horus, adorned the
Temple of Beit el-Wali of
Ramesses II. Khnum's role extends to the
Book of the Dead, as part of the formula spell to prevent the heart of the deceased from opposing them in the Necropolis.
Stelas Khnum features prominently in an inscription and relief of the
Ptolemaic Kingdom known as the
Famine Stela, located on the island of
Sehel, south of Elephantine. The
stela recounts a seven-year period of drought and famine during the reign of King
Djoser of the
Third Dynasty. According to the inscription, Djoser receives a vision of Khnum, who promises to end the famine. In response, the king issues a decree of one-tenth of all revenue to be allocated to the Temple of Khnum as an offering of gratitude. Above the stela, King Djoser is depicted offering tributes to Khnum, as well as the goddesses
Satis and
Anuket. In the Stela of
Tutankhamun from Sinn el-Kabid, Tutankhamun is depicted incensing the god Khnum. Khnum is seated on a throne, dressed in a kilt, chest piece, and wide collar, holding an ankh and a
was-scepter. Khnum, revered at Kumma, holds an epithet indicative of his protective role over riverine and desert passes, symbolized by opposing bows at the entrances. The text above Khnum designates him as the "Lord of the Cataract."
Hymns Khnum is a recurring figure in numerous of the hymns within the temples at Elephantine and Esna, showcasing his significance. Distinctively,
The Morning Hymn to Khnum aligns him with the gods
Amun and
Shu, venerating him as the "Lord of life" and attributing him the ability to shape the bodies of humans. Another revered hymn,
The Great Hymn to Khnum, celebrates him as the creator of all men, gods, and animals, as well as the provider of minerals and nurturer of plant life. This hymn delves into Khnum's intricate craftsmanship in forming body parts and assigning their functions. Additionally, Khnum is also acknowledged for creating a diversity of languages across regions, contrasting with Egyptian speech. In this hymn, Khnum is further depicted as the "Ba-of" many different deities scattered throughout Egypt, merging with the gods and representing the embodiment of their souls. Further linking Khnum to the divine narrative, he is mentioned in
The Hymn to Hapy, connecting him to the Nile-god. In the Middle Kingdom, the
Westcar Papyrus, recounts the birth of three triplet kings by the woman
Ruddedet. Khnum and the other deities disguise themselves to assist with the birth, and Khnum infuses "health" into the life of the bodies of the future kings, receiving a sack of barley as payment. Queen
Hatshepsut of the New Kingdom was similarly illustrated being created on Khnum's potter's wheel in the
depiction of her Divine Birth, at the Temple of
Deir el-Bahari, bestowing "life, health, and strength, and all gifts," upon her. It is also carved that Khnum made "her appearance above the gods". Additionally, reliefs in the
Luxor Temple illustrate Khnum crafting the body and
ka of King
Amenhotep III in a comparable manner. == In popular culture ==