There has always been a great deal of debate concerning the Egyptian culture. How it, much like the Roman culture, managed to exhibit capabilities and talents significantly more advanced than other cultures during the same time period has intrigued historians and scientists alike for hundreds of years.
The creators of the science fiction television series entitled “Stargate” were not the first to question if the Egyptians might have had some outside help; more specifically from aliens. Others suggested that perhaps they received some kind of divine assistance. While most people don’t subscribe to either theory, in reality, the concepts certainly add more mystery to an already intriguing culture.
Unlike the Roman and Greek gods, who could be both cruel and playful, most Egyptian gods were feared more than revered. In any case, few were taken lightly and none were held in utter contempt.
Ra was one of the most important among the ancient Egyptian gods. He was, in fact, the only significant Egyptian god worshiped with consistency. While others were often regionally celebrated or divided into certain time lines, Ra was recognized by virtually every aspect of the Egyptian culture. He was generally considered to be the king of the gods and the creator of the Egyptian world.
Ra was also called the god of the sun, which makes perfect since, because the Egyptian people saw the sun as the symbol of all creation. For it and Ra to be inextricably linked, therefore, made perfect sense. He was, to them, the sun.
Many believed that Ra was self-created; that he simply sprung forth on his own like a great obelisk springing out of the earth and reaching toward the sky. Once present, he then supposedly brought forth his children Tefnut and Shu, who became the first of the lessor Egyptian gods. They represented air and water.
Shu and Tefnut gave birth to Geb and Nut, who came to symbolbize the earth and sky. They, in turn, brought forth two of Egypt’s more divine couples – – Osiris and Isis and Seth and Nephthys.
However, between 2055 and 1759 BC, the concept of Ra and his reason for creation changed significantly. People then began to believe that he created the world not for other gods and goddesses but specifically for mankind. And, in much the same as Jews and Christians accept that man was created in God’s image, the Egyptians believed that man was created in the image of Ra.
Over the years, Ra became closely associated with mankind, in particular with that of the pharaoh, who was considered his earthly manifestation. The god/pharaoh then took on the role of parent, overseeing the Egyptian people, much as a father would watch over his children.
However, as is often true in life, Ra’s children had a tendency to disobey and do evil things that required punishment, which was often both harsh and severe. While he rewarded the obedient, he was never hesitant to utterly destroy the disobedient. Hence, the fear that Ra’s name began to strike in the minds of those who worshipped him.
Ra’s worship was at its height in the fifth dynasty. During that time there were many pyramids that were specifically aligned to meet either the rising or setting sun. Some such structures were solar in nature and were dedicated specifically to the god of the sun.
Ra has been known by many different names, including Re, Amun, Amun-Ra, Amen, and Amen-Ra. He has also been pictured in many different forms. He was sometimes depicted with the head of a ram, but most often simply as the sun itself.
There are many stories of a close association with the god Osiris. It is said that Ra – – as god – – and Osiris – – as mortal man – – traveled through the underworld together each night with the sun god being reborn each morning in the form of a scarab. This is supposedly how the scarab became the symbol of immortality for the Egyptian people.
In some stories, it is explained how the worship of Ra began to fade. It is said that the god became tired of his many duties both on earth and in the heavens. So he transferred his earthly powers over to the god Horus, who is most often symbolized as a falcon or hawk. The two gods combinee to become one – – heaven and earth. This also explains how the two gods became merged in many later Egyptian texts and why many of Ra’s sun symbol often also bore the wings of a falcon or hawk.
Though Ra’s name lived on in various forms into the Greco-Roman period, his worship gradually ceased over time. He continued to be a part of theology and the priesthood but slowly lost ground within the overall faith of the Egyptian people.
