[10] The Coffin Texts contain references to Shu being sneezed out by Atum from his nose, and Tefnut being spat out like saliva.

The Bremner-Rind Papyrus and the Memphite Theology describe Atum as sneezing out saliva to form the twins.

[11] Tefnut is a leonine deity, and appears as human with a lioness head when depicted as part of the Great Ennead of Heliopolis.

[12] During the 18th and 19th Dynasties, particularly during the Amarna Period, Tefnut was depicted in human form wearing a low flat headdress, topped with sprouting plants.

The iconic blue crown of Nefertiti is thought by archaeologist Joyce Tyldesley to be derived from Tiye's headdress, and may indicate that she was also identifying with Tefnut.

At Heliopolis, Tefnut was one of the members of that city's great Ennead,[12] and is referred to in relation to the purification of the wabet (priest) as part of the temple rite.

"At Karnak, Tefnut formed part of the Ennead and was invoked in prayers for the health and wellbeing of the pharaoh.

[16] As a lioness she could display a wrathful aspect and is said to have escaped to Nubia in a rage, jealous of her grandchildren's higher worship.