Emily Chan
Graur explained that in the winter, the Milky Way highlighted Nut’s arms, while in the summer, it outlined her backbone.
To find further connections between Nut and the Milky Way, he looked into several ancient sources, such as the Pyramid Texts, Coffin Texts, and the Book of Nut. He also compared his findings with the beliefs of other cultures, showcasing similar interpretations of the Milky Way across different cultures.
For example, in one Egyptian Coffin Text, Nut is likened to a ladder that the souls of the dead could use to reach the afterlife. This description echoed the Milky Way’s role in Native American mythology.
“Many Native American peoples across North America view the Milky Way as a road along which the spirits of the dead travel to the afterlife,” Graur wrote.
“The Lakota name for the Milky Way is Wanági Thachánku, the Spirits’ Road, which the Lakota follow to heaven when they die.”
Furthermore, Finland, Estonia, and several Baltic states have designated the Milky Way as the “Birds’ Path,” a route that birds follow during migration.
Overall, Graur’s research reveals how the study of celestial bodies offers new insights into ancient beliefs and connects people from different cultures and time periods.
