The legend of Ra is one of the most significant and enduring myths in ancient Egyptian mythology. Ra, also known as Re or Amun-Ra, is the ancient Egyptian sun god and one of the most important deities in the Egyptian pantheon.

The myth of Ra

According to Egyptian mythology, Ra emerged from the primordial chaos, represented by the watery abyss called Nu or Nun. He has created himself or emerged from a lotus flower or an egg that appeared on the primordial mound, Benben. As the sun god, Ra’s appearance brought light to the world, ending the eternal darkness.

Ra’s journey across the sky is a central theme in Egyptian mythology. Each day, Ra travels across the sky in his solar barque (boat), bringing daylight to the world. This journey is a constant battle against the forces of chaos, particularly the serpent Apophis (Apep), who tries to devour Ra and bring darkness and disorder. Ra’s triumph over Apophis symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and order over chaos.

Worship of Ra

The legend of Ra has had a profound influence on Egyptian culture and religion. As a principal deity, Ra’s mythology influenced various aspects of Egyptian life, including the development of religious practices, the construction of temples, and the pharaohs’ ideologies. The concept of a solar deity that battles chaos and embodies creation and rebirth resonated deeply with the ancient Egyptians and continues to be a symbol of their rich mythological heritage.

Ra was worshipped throughout Egypt, with major cult centers at Heliopolis (Iunu) and later at Thebes. Pharaohs often identified themselves with Ra to legitimize their rule, portraying themselves as his earthly representatives.

Ra-Horakhty

Ra and Horus were often combined into a single deity known as Ra-Horakhty, meaning “Ra, who is Horus of the Horizons.”

Both Ra and Horus represent the sun and the sky, though in slightly different ways. Ra is primarily the sun god, ruling over the daytime and symbolizing creation and life-giving power. Horus, on the other hand, is a sky god often depicted as a falcon, representing the sky, kingship, and protection. The combination of Ra and Horus into Ra-Horakhty highlights the complementary nature of their powers and domains.

Ra’s daily journey across the sky and his nightly journey through the underworld is linked to Horus’s mythological battles. Just as Ra battles the serpent Apophis (Apep) to ensure the sun rises each day, Horus battles his uncle Set to avenge his father Osiris and maintain order in the cosmos. Both myths involve the themes of struggle, victory over chaos, and the restoration of order.

The Eye of Ra and the Eye of Horus are two powerful symbols in Egyptian mythology that sometimes overlap in their meanings. Often depicted as a fierce, destructive force used to punish his enemies, the Eye of Ra represents Ra’s power and protective nature, . The Eye of Horus, also known as the Wadjet, symbolizes healing, protection, and restoration. While the Eyes serve different functions, they both signify divine power and protection.

The destruction of mankind (The book of the heavenly cow)

In this myth, Ra becomes disillusioned with humanity’s disobedience and decides to punish them. He sends his eye, in the form of the goddess Hathor, to wreak havoc on the earth. Hathor transforms in Sekmet, a goddess of distruction. However, the destruction inflicted on people is so severe that Ra regrets his decision. To stop Sekhmet, he orders his priests to brew vast quantities of beer mixed with red ochre to resemble blood. Sekhmet drinks the beer, becomes intoxicated, and ceases her rampage. After this event, Ra decides to withdraw from direct rule over the earth and ascends to the sky on the back of the heavenly cow. In some versions of the myth, Horus takes on a protective role, aiding Ra in his celestial duties and ensuring the continuation of cosmic order.

The winged sun disk

According to this myth, Ra, in his form as Ra-Horakhty, faces enemies threatening cosmic order. He sends Horus to defeat these foes. After a fierce battle, Horus emerges victorious, and to commemorate this victory, Ra decrees to place the image of the winged sun disk, representing their combined power, over the entrances of temples and significant buildings to ward off evil.

These myths illustrate the deep connection between Ra and Horus, blending their identities and attributes to emphasize themes of cosmic order, protection, kingship, and the eternal struggle between chaos and harmony.

Note that this article serves as background information with regards to analyzing Ra through a Jungian lens