The Bennu was the sacred bird of Heliopolis. Bennu probably derives from the word weben, meaning “rise” or “shine.” The Bennu was associated with the sun and represented the ba or soul of the sun god, Re. In the Late Period, the hieroglyph of the bird was used to represent this deity directly. As a symbol of the rising and setting sun, the Bennu was also the lord of the royal jubilee.