Changes

Ra is a prominent creator god in [[Ancient Egyptian religion]], and the most prominent aspect of the Heliopolitan [[Sun God]] (the triad of [[Atum]], Ra and [[Kehpri]]). The cult of Ra reached it’s zenith in the [[Old Kingdom]], when Ra became the primary state god of [[Egypt]].

'''Ra''' is a prominent creator [[god]] in [[Ancient Egyptian religion]], and the most prominent aspect of the Heliopolitan [[Sun God]] (the triad of [[Atum]], Ra and [[Kehpri]]). The cult of Ra reached its zenith in the [[Old Kingdom]], when Ra became the primary state god of [[Egypt]].

 

== Name and Titutlary ==

== Name and Titutlary ==

The name of Ra can be directly translated in Egyptian as ‘Sun’. “[[The Litany of Ra]]” invokes the god 74 times with different names and titles, some linking Ra to [[Osiris]], stressing Ra’s importance in the netherworld and afterlife. Titles from this text include “He Who Has Command Over His Cave”, “He of the Netherworld” and “He Who Renews the Earth”.

The name of Ra can be directly translated in Egyptian as ‘Sun’. “[[The Litany of Ra]]” invokes the god 74 times with different names and titles, some linking Ra to [[Osiris]], stressing Ra’s importance in the [[netherworld]] and afterlife. Titles from this text include “He Who Has Command Over His Cave”, “He of the Netherworld” and “He Who Renews the Earth”.

He is also titled “Lord of [[Heliopolis]]”, and in the [[Book of the Dead]] as “King of the Gods”, “Sole Lord”, “Lord of the Gods” and “Power of Powers”, all of which emphasise sovereignty and kingship. “Unique One” and “Sole One” may refer to either creator or sovereign roles, whist “Lord of the Sky” and “Great Illuminator” emphasise solar attributes. “Sovereign Who Made the Gods” refers to both sovereign and creation roles.

He is also titled “Lord of [[Heliopolis]]”, and in the [[Book of the Dead]] as “King of the Gods”, “Sole Lord”, “Lord of the Gods” and “Power of Powers”, all of which emphasise sovereignty and kingship. “Unique One” and “Sole One” may refer to either creator or sovereign roles, whist “Lord of the Sky” and “Great Illuminator” emphasise solar attributes. “Sovereign Who Made the Gods” refers to both sovereign and creation roles.

== Iconography & Imagery ==

== Iconography & Imagery ==

Ra is most frequently portrayed as a [[falcon]] headed man with a Sun disk, though he may also be seen in fully zoomorphic form with a Sun disk, and within composite images purely as a Sun disk.

Ra is most frequently portrayed as a [[falcon]]-headed man with a sun disk, though he may also be seen in fully zoomorphic form with a Sun disk, and within composite images purely as a sun disk.

The falcon association strengthened the association between Ra and [[Horus]] (as [[Ra–Horakhti]]) and with concepts of Kingship in a wider sense. Indeed, it is various combinations of the Falcon and sun disc which form the strongest, most instantly recognisable and most enduring iconography for the cult of Ra.  

The falcon association strengthened the association between Ra and [[Horus]] (as [[Ra–Horakhti]]) and with concepts of Kingship in a wider sense. Indeed, it is various combinations of the Falcon and sun disc which form the strongest, most instantly recognisable and most enduring iconography for the cult of Ra.  

On occasion Ra is also associated with the [[cat]], and a number of New Kingdom tomb scenes depict him in this form, slaying the [[serpent of chaos]].  

On occasion Ra is also associated with the [[cat]], and a number of New Kingdom tomb scenes depict him in this form, slaying the [[serpent of chaos]].  

== Associations and Links With Other Deities ==

== Associations and Links With Other Deities ==

Ra is the aspect of the [[Heliopolitan triad]] most associated with other deities, his associations with Amun (as Amun-Ra) and Horus being most important. The latter was particularly prominent in the [[19th Dynasty]], with numerous temples dedicated to Ra-Horakhti in [[Nubia]]. Ra was also associated with other major cults, including [[Sobek]] (Sobek-Ra), Osiris, [[Hathor]]/[[Sekhmet]], and [[Bast]], the goddesses being seen as daughters of Ra.

Ra is the aspect of the [[Heliopolitan triad]] most associated with other deities, his associations with Amun (as Amun-Ra) and Horus being most important. The latter was particularly prominent in the [[19th Dynasty]], with numerous temples dedicated to Ra-Horakhti in [[Nubia]]. Ra was also associated with other major cults, including [[Sobek]] (Sobek-Ra), Osiris, [[Hathor]]/[[Sekhmet]], and [[Bast]], the goddesses being seen as daughters of Ra.

== Cult Centre and Other Centres of Worship ==

== Cult Centre and Other Centres of Worship ==

[[Sun courts]], where the Sun God could be honoured in any of his forms, also existed in most Egyptian temples, perhaps the one of the most impressive surviving examples being the Sun Court of [[Amunhotep III]] at [[Luxor Temple]].

[[Sun courts]], where the Sun God could be honoured in any of his forms, also existed in most Egyptian temples, perhaps the one of the most impressive surviving examples being the Sun Court of [[Amunhotep III]] at [[Luxor Temple]].

== Festivals ==

== Festivals ==

The last month of the [[Egyptian year]], the 4th month of summer, was named “[[The Birth of Ra]]”, and his birthday was celebrated on the last day of the month, as was the first day of the new year, suggesting a single prolonged celebration.  

The last month of the [[Egyptian year]], the 4th month of summer, was named “[[The Birth of Ra]]”, and his birthday was celebrated on the last day of the month, as was the first day of the new year, suggesting a single prolonged celebration.  

== Impact on the Ideology of Divine Kingship ==

== Impact on the Ideology of Divine Kingship ==

A series of interlinked tales preserved in Papyrus Westcar (P. Berlin 3033) are particularly telling of the role of the Sun God in the ideology of Divine Kingship. In the text, the 4th Dynasty ruler Khufu is told that his sons will only hold the throne for two generations, for Ra has caused the wife of one of his priests to bear his children, and that they shall rule.  

A series of interlinked tales preserved in Papyrus Westcar (P. Berlin 3033) are particularly telling of the role of the Sun God in the ideology of Divine Kingship. In the text, the 4th Dynasty ruler Khufu is told that his sons will only hold the throne for two generations, for Ra has caused the wife of one of his priests to bear his children, and that they shall rule.  

== Impact on Funerary Beliefs and Practises ==

== Impact on Funerary Beliefs and Practises ==

The solar cult also affected the non-royal afterlife. The [[Coffin Texts]] include numerous references to the Sun God, and maintain much of the celestial image of the afterlife found in the Pyramid Texts. In the New Kingdom the Coffin Texts are displaced by the more Osirian Book of the Dead, which would be used by both royals and commoners. However, the Solar Cult retains an important position in the new text, with numerous prayers to the Heliopolitan gods.  

The solar cult also affected the non-royal afterlife. The [[Coffin Texts]] include numerous references to the Sun God, and maintain much of the celestial image of the afterlife found in the Pyramid Texts. In the New Kingdom the Coffin Texts are displaced by the more Osirian Book of the Dead, which would be used by both royals and commoners. However, the Solar Cult retains an important position in the new text, with numerous prayers to the Heliopolitan gods.  

== References ==

== References ==