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Ra
rꜥ(Ra / Re)
Also known as: Re, Ra-Horakhty, Atum-Ra, Amun-Ra
By Elizabeth Stein for Mythos Atlas. About the author. Editorial notes are grounded in the site's cited sources and can be challenged through the contact page.
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About Ra
The Sun God
Ra is the supreme creator and king of the gods. He travels across the sky in his solar barque by day and battles the chaos serpent Apophis in the underworld by night.
Aspects of Ra
Ra changes forms throughout the day: Khepri (scarab) at sunrise, Ra-Horakhty (falcon) at noon, and Atum (elder) at sunset. All life was believed to have been created from Ra's tears.
Origin Story
Ra emerged from the primordial waters of Nun at the dawn of creation, creating himself. He then created Shu (air) and Tefnut (moisture), establishing the cosmos.
Ancient Sources
Original texts with translations - toggle to see the original language
“Worship of Ra when he rises in the eastern horizon of heaven. Hail to you, Ra, in your rising, Atum-Horakhty.”
Book of the Dead, Spell 15
trans. Raymond O. FaulknerRead sourceAncient Texts
- Read Book of the Dead
Book of the Dead by Various Egyptian priests
c. 1550-50 BCE·Ancient Egyptian (Hieroglyphic)
Contains hymns to Ra and descriptions of his nightly journey
Recommended translations: E.A. Wallis Budge (1895), Raymond O. Faulkner (1972)
Pyramid Texts by Anonymous Egyptian priests
c. 2400-2300 BCE·Ancient Egyptian (Hieroglyphic)
Earliest Egyptian religious texts mentioning Ra
Recommended translations: Samuel A.B. Mercer (1952), R.O. Faulkner (1969)
Domains
suncreationkingshiporderlight
Symbols
sun diskfalconsolar barquecobrascarab beetle