Ra

(noun)

The sun god, or the supreme Egyptian deity, worshipped as the creator of all life, and usually portrayed with a falcon's head bearing a solar disc. 

Related Terms

Examples of Ra in the following topics:

  • Ancient Egyptian Religion

    • The pharaoh was associated with Horus (and later Amun) and seen as the son of Ra.
    • Upon death, the pharaoh was fully deified, directly identified with Ra and associated with Osiris, the god of death and rebirth.
    • Most important of these was the daily journey of the sun god Ra.
    • The creation myth saw the world as emerging as a dry space in the primordial ocean of chaos, marked by the first rising of Ra.
    • These included the sun god Ra, the creator god Amun, and the mother goddess Isis.

  • Ethiopia and Eritrea

    • The first years of the 19th century were disturbed by fierce campaigns between Ras Gugsa of Begemder and Ras Wolde Selassie of Tigray, who fought over control of the figurehead Emperor Egwale Seyon.

  • The Old Kingdom

    • The cult of the sun god Ra, and temples built for him, began to grow in importance during the Fifth Dynasty.

  • Akkadian Government, Culture, and Economy

    • Her known works include hymns to the goddess Inanna, the Exaltation of Inanna, and In-nin sa-gur-ra.