Nut (meaning 'sky') is the goddess who supports the sky in Egyptian mythology. She is seen as a woman covered in stars and arched over the world, supporting the heavens with her body. Sometimes she is pictured as a giant cow whose four legs form the four pillars of heaven. Nut was believed to protect the sun and moon as they passed over her body - she would swallow them at dusk and they would pass through her body during the night before being reborn again at dawn.
Nut was also believed to be the protector of the dead and she was often painted on the inside lid of sarcophagus to protect the body within. Vaults and tombs would also be painted dark blue and covered with stars to represent Nut.
