Nefertem is an ancient Egyptian deity associated with beauty, healing, and the lotus flower. Often depicted as a young man with a lotus blossom on his head, he symbolizes the sun's rising and the renewal of life. Nefertem is considered a protector of the pharaohs and is linked to the sun god Ra. In mythology, Nefertem is sometimes seen as the son of Sekhmet, the goddess of war and healing, and Ptah, the god of creation. He plays a role in the creation myth, where he emerges from the primordial waters, representing the beauty and fragrance of the lotus, which is central to Egyptian culture.