Note 5 — Chapter XVII
P. Le Page (Peter Le Page) Renouf translation
The Heron is the bird called bennu, the numerous pictures of which enable us to identify it with the Common Heron or Heronshaw. The reason for connecting this bird with the Sun-god has to be sought in the etymology of its name. ben is a verb of motion, and particularly of ‘going round.’ benenu is a ring, also a ‘round pill.’ The Sun therefore is very naturally called bennu, an appellative like κυκλοέλικτος in the Orphic hymns.
