Ra is one of the oldest Names of Netjer, and He has been worshipped throughout all of Kemet's history. He is the power of light and heat that illuminates the earth and makes all life possible. He is King of the Universe, Lord of All, and the Creator of gods and mankind. His Name means "sun," and you can see the symbol for it within the hieroglyphs of His Name.
Hieroglyphs of Ra's Name
He first appeared at the beginning of time, emerging from the waters of Creation upon the mound of the Ben-ben. He mated with Nut, the nighttime sky filled with stars, to create the five Great Names of Wesir, Heru, Set, Aset, and Nebt-Het. He wept and mankind came forth from His tears. His secret Name is so powerful that it can unlock the mysteries of the universe.
Ra appears in many forms and Names. Most often, He is shown as a falcon-headed man wearing a sundisk on His head. The cobra goddess Wadjet encircles this disk, ready to strike at His enemies. Other forms of Ra include the scarab beetle (Khepera), the white heron (the Benu-bird), the falcon, the ram or ram-headed man, and an elderly man. He rides in the bright disk of the Aten, crossing the heavens by day and the Underworld by night. As the rising sun, He is called Khepera ("the becoming one"), and as the setting sun, He is Tem ("the complete one").
[picture of Ra]
Ra's main center of worship in ancient times was Iunu ("pillar town"), later called Heliopolis ("city of the sun"). He has been the patron deity of the King since the Old Kingdom more than 4500 years ago. Every King of Kemet since then has been called a "son (or daughter) of Ra." As Amen-Ra, He is a combination of the Visible and the Hidden. Ra is like the visible rays of sunlight, but Amun is like the warmth that you can feel but not see. Ra is visible action, and Amun is hidden possibility.
Here is a beautiful prayer for Ra, written by Kai-Imakhu MeryBast who is meryt-Ra (Beloved of Ra)::
O Shining One who does not tire,
Who loves all things,
Your warmth fills me with confidence.
My Ra, my sunshine.
Ra has infinite power and great authority, but He is also warm and kind. We are His children here on earth, and He loves us very much. With His great wisdom, He can illuminate the way for us. Nothing escapes His all-seeing Eye. After all, it is hard to hide anything from the Sun.
Test your knowledge!
[click on question to see answer]
1. Name at least three ways that Ra can appear.
2. What are the Names of the five children of Ra and Nut?
3. What is the difference between Amun and Ra?
For some beautiful funerary art in honor of Ra,
see Stelae Dedicated to Ra.
