Ra - Revision history

Karma: grammar, parallel structure, spelling, punctuation, rewording for clarity (gen desc. section only)

2005-08-22T03:42:14Z

grammar, parallel structure, spelling, punctuation, rewording for clarity (gen desc. section only)

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:42, 22 August 2005
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	Ra is most commonly pronounced 'rah'. It is more likely, however, that it should be pronounced as 'ray', hence the alternative spelling Re rather than Ra. It is not known for sure what Ra's name means, but it is thought it may be a variant of or linked to 'creative', if not an original word for 'sun'.		Ra is most commonly pronounced 'rah'. It is more likely, however, that it should be pronounced as 'ray', hence the alternative spelling Re rather than Ra. It is not known for sure what Ra's name means, but it is thought it may be a variant of or linked to 'creative', if not an original word for 'sun'.

	Ra is mostly shown as a man in artwork, wearing a Pharaoh's crown as a sign of his kingship over the gods, and the sun disk on his head. Often he had a falcon's head, much like [[Horus]]. Sometimes, Ra is portrayed ~~as different~~ according to the position of the sun in the sky. At sunrise he was an infant, a man ~~at noon~~, and an old man ~~at sunset~~. This constant ~~ageing~~ was suggested by the Egyptians as ~~why~~ Ra stayed separate from the world and let [[Osiris]] and/or [[Horus]] rule in his place. This idea is often coupled with the myth in which [[Isis]] is able to trick an elderly Ra, having ruled on earth as a human Pharaoh, into revealing his secret name, and thus the secret of his power.		Ra is mostly shown as a man in artwork, wearing a Pharaoh's crown (a sign of his kingship over the gods) and the sun disk on his head. Often he had a falcon's head, much like [[Horus]]. Sometimes, Ra is portrayed differently according to the position of the sun in the sky. At sunrise he was an infant, at noon a man, and at sunset an old man. This constant aging was suggested by the Egyptians as the reason Ra stayed separate from the world and let [[Osiris]] and/or [[Horus]] rule in his place. This idea is often coupled with the myth in which [[Isis]] is able to trick an elderly Ra, having ruled on earth as a human Pharaoh, into revealing his secret name, and thus the secret of his power.

	Ra often replaces [[Atum]] as the father, grandfather and great-grandfather of the gods of the [[Ennead]], and creator of the world. Ra created [[Sekhmet]], who becomes [[Hathor]] after she has sufficiently punished mankind as an avenging [[Eye of Ra]], and so is often said to be the father of both. Mankind ~~were~~ supposedly created from Ra's tears or sweat, leading to the Egyptians calling themselves the "Cattle of Ra".		Ra often replaces [[Atum]] as the father, grandfather and great-grandfather of the gods of the [[Ennead]], and creator of the world. Ra created [[Sekhmet]], who becomes [[Hathor]] after she has sufficiently punished mankind as an avenging [[Eye of Ra]], and so is often said to be the father of both. Mankind was supposedly created from Ra's tears or sweat, leading to the Egyptians calling themselves the "Cattle of Ra".

	==Symbols==		==Symbols==

Frater C.U.G.: spellchecked

2005-08-10T02:44:25Z

spellchecked

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:44, 10 August 2005
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	*The [[Benu bird]], as Ra's [[ba]] and a symbol of fire and rebirth;		*The [[Benu bird]], as Ra's [[ba]] and a symbol of fire and rebirth;
	*The sun disk, also shown as the hieroglyphic ⊙ ;		*The sun disk, also shown as the hieroglyphic ⊙ ;
	*Ankh, ~~symbolising~~ the life given by the sun;		*Ankh, symbolizing the life given by the sun;
	*Obelisk, representative of the rays of the sun and ~~worshipped~~ as a home of a solar god;		*Obelisk, representative of the rays of the sun and worshiped as a home of a solar god;
	*Pyramids, aligned east/west		*Pyramids, aligned east/west
	*Falcon;		*Falcon;
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	The sun was thought to travel in a boat, to protect its fires from the primordial waters ([[Nun]]) of the underworld it passed through during the night. Ra travelled in the sunboat with various gods, including Ma'at who guided the boat's course and [[Set]] and [[Mehen]] who defended against monsters in the underworld. These monsters included [[Apophis\|Apep]], the serpent who tried to stop the sunboat's journey every day by consuming it. So, the Egyptians saw the sunrise as the rebirth of the sun through [[Nut]], the sky, and thus attributed the concept of rebirth and renewal to Ra, strengthening his role as a creator god.		The sun was thought to travel in a boat, to protect its fires from the primordial waters ([[Nun]]) of the underworld it passed through during the night. Ra travelled in the sunboat with various gods, including Ma'at who guided the boat's course and [[Set]] and [[Mehen]] who defended against monsters in the underworld. These monsters included [[Apophis\|Apep]], the serpent who tried to stop the sunboat's journey every day by consuming it. So, the Egyptians saw the sunrise as the rebirth of the sun through [[Nut]], the sky, and thus attributed the concept of rebirth and renewal to Ra, strengthening his role as a creator god.

	As the cults of various solar deities rose and fell, Ra's role as the most well-known solar god in the Egyptian pantheon constantly changed. [[Horus]], Ra, [[Aten]] and Amun-Ra exchanged roles as actually being ~~worshipped~~ as the sun, even though all three retained their solar links. Ra, and sometimes [[Horus]], were broken down into several smaller aspect gods, who presided over the sun at sunrise, noon and sunset.		As the cults of various solar deities rose and fell, Ra's role as the most well-known solar god in the Egyptian pantheon constantly changed. [[Horus]], Ra, [[Aten]] and Amun-Ra exchanged roles as actually being worshiped as the sun, even though all three retained their solar links. Ra, and sometimes [[Horus]], were broken down into several smaller aspect gods, who presided over the sun at sunrise, noon and sunset.

	==Ra's combination with other deities==		==Ra's combination with other deities==

	As with most widely ~~worshipped~~ Egyptian godforms, Ra's identity was often confused with other gods as different regional religions were merged in an attempt to unite the country.		As with most widely worshiped Egyptian godforms, Ra's identity was often confused with other gods as different regional religions were merged in an attempt to unite the country.

	===Amun and Amun-Ra===		===Amun and Amun-Ra===
	[[Amun]] was a member of the [[Ogdoad]], representing creation energies with [[Amaunet]], and was a very early patron of [[Thebes]]. He was believed to create via breath, and thus was identified with the wind rather than the sun. As the cults of [[Amun]] and Ra became increasingly popular in Upper and Lower Egypt respectively, they were combined to create Amun-Ra, a solar creator god. It is hard to distinguish exactly when this combination happened, with references being made in pyramid texts to Amun-Ra as early as the V Dynasty. The most common belief is that Amun-Ra was invented as the new state deity by the (Theban) rulers of the New Kingdom to unite ~~worshippers~~ of Amun with the older cult of Ra, beginning around the XVIII Dynasty. Ironically, the cult of Amun-Ra was effectively just as monotheistic as Akhenaten's worship of [[Aten]], and the cult became so powerful that it rivalled the monarchy.		[[Amun]] was a member of the [[Ogdoad]], representing creation energies with [[Amaunet]], and was a very early patron of [[Thebes]]. He was believed to create via breath, and thus was identified with the wind rather than the sun. As the cults of [[Amun]] and Ra became increasingly popular in Upper and Lower Egypt respectively, they were combined to create Amun-Ra, a solar creator god. It is hard to distinguish exactly when this combination happened, with references being made in pyramid texts to Amun-Ra as early as the V Dynasty. The most common belief is that Amun-Ra was invented as the new state deity by the (Theban) rulers of the New Kingdom to unite worshipers of Amun with the older cult of Ra, beginning around the XVIII Dynasty. Ironically, the cult of Amun-Ra was effectively just as monotheistic as Akhenaten's worship of [[Aten]], and the cult became so powerful that it rivalled the monarchy.

	===Atum and Atum-Ra===		===Atum and Atum-Ra===
	Atum-Ra (or Ra-Atum) was another composite deity formed from two completely ~~seperate~~ deities. However, Ra shared more similarities with [[Atum]] than with [[Amun]]. [[Atum]] was more closely linked with the sun, and was also a creator god of the [[Ennead]]. Both Ra and [[Atum]] were regarded as the father of the gods and Pharaohs, and were widely ~~worshipped~~. So, it was almost inevitable that the two cults were merged under the name of Atum-Ra.		Atum-Ra (or Ra-Atum) was another composite deity formed from two completely separate deities. However, Ra shared more similarities with [[Atum]] than with [[Amun]]. [[Atum]] was more closely linked with the sun, and was also a creator god of the [[Ennead]]. Both Ra and [[Atum]] were regarded as the father of the gods and Pharaohs, and were widely worshiped. So, it was almost inevitable that the two cults were merged under the name of Atum-Ra.

	===Ra-Horakhty or Ra-Hoor-Khuit===		===Ra-Horakhty or Ra-Hoor-Khuit===
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	Many acts of worship included hymns, prayers and spells to help Ra and the sunboat overcome [[Apophis\|Apep]].		Many acts of worship included hymns, prayers and spells to help Ra and the sunboat overcome [[Apophis\|Apep]].

	Though worship of Ra was very widespread, his cult ~~centre~~ was in [[Heliopolis]], the home of the [[Ennead]] that he was thought to be the head of as [[Atum]].		Though worship of Ra was very widespread, his cult center was in [[Heliopolis]], the home of the [[Ennead]] that he was thought to be the head of as [[Atum]].

	==References==		==References==

Cymen: completely rewritten (!) No longer a copy of Wikipedia, info organised under headings, more article links, more Thelema relevance

2005-03-18T00:27:44Z

completely rewritten (!) No longer a copy of Wikipedia, info organised under headings, more article links, more Thelema relevance

Show changes

Thiebes at 07:19, 3 March 2005

2005-03-03T07:19:13Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:19, 3 March 2005
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	{{thelema}}		{{thelema}}
	{{egyptiangods}}		{{egyptiangods}}
	'''Ra''' (sometimes spelled '''Re''') is the sun-god of [[Heliopolis]] in ancient Egypt. From the fifth dynasty (ca. 2400 BCE) onward he was combined with the Theban god [[Amon]] to become the foremost deity of the Egyptian pantheon. He remained paramount for centuries except for a brief suspension during the time of Akhenaten (1350-1334 BCE) when direct and exclusive worship of [[Aten]], the sun disk itself, was imposed on the kingdom of Egypt. In later times, he was associated with [[Heryshaf]].		'''Ra''' (sometimes spelled '''Re''') is the sun-god of [[Heliopolis]] in ancient Egypt. From the fifth dynasty (ca. 2400 [[BCE]]) onward he was combined with the Theban god [[Amon]] to become the foremost deity of the Egyptian pantheon. He remained paramount for centuries except for a brief suspension during the time of Akhenaten (1350-1334 BCE) when direct and exclusive worship of [[Aten]], the sun disk itself, was imposed on the kingdom of Egypt. In later times, he was associated with [[Heryshaf]].

	He was also the father of Heget.		He was also the father of Heget.

Thiebes: thelema stub

2005-03-03T05:11:06Z

thelema stub

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:11, 3 March 2005
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			{{thelema}}
	{{egyptiangods}}		{{egyptiangods}}
	'''Ra''' (sometimes spelled '''Re''') is the sun-god of [[Heliopolis]] in ancient Egypt. From the fifth dynasty (ca. 2400 BCE) onward he was combined with the Theban god [[Amon]] to become the foremost deity of the Egyptian pantheon. He remained paramount for centuries except for a brief suspension during the time of Akhenaten (1350-1334 BCE) when direct and exclusive worship of [[Aten]], the sun disk itself, was imposed on the kingdom of Egypt. In later times, he was associated with [[Heryshaf]].		'''Ra''' (sometimes spelled '''Re''') is the sun-god of [[Heliopolis]] in ancient Egypt. From the fifth dynasty (ca. 2400 BCE) onward he was combined with the Theban god [[Amon]] to become the foremost deity of the Egyptian pantheon. He remained paramount for centuries except for a brief suspension during the time of Akhenaten (1350-1334 BCE) when direct and exclusive worship of [[Aten]], the sun disk itself, was imposed on the kingdom of Egypt. In later times, he was associated with [[Heryshaf]].

Thiebes: see discussion

2005-03-03T03:00:45Z

see discussion

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 {{egyptiangods}}
-'''Ra''' was the god of the sun during dynastic [[Egypt]]; the name is thought to have meant "creative power", and as a proper name "Creator", similar to English Christian usage of the term "Creator" to signify the "almighty God." Very early in Egyptian history Ra was identified with [[Horus]], who as a hawk or falcon-god represented the loftiness of the skies. Ra is represented either as a hawk-headed man or as a hawk. <br>
+'''Ra''' (sometimes spelled '''Re''') is the sun-god of [[Heliopolis]] in ancient Egypt. From the fifth dynasty (ca. 2400 BCE) onward he was combined with the Theban god [[Amon]] to become the foremost deity of the Egyptian pantheon. He remained paramount for centuries except for a brief suspension during the time of Akhenaten (1350-1334 BCE) when direct and exclusive worship of [[Aten]], the sun disk itself, was imposed on the kingdom of Egypt.  In later times, he was associated with [[Heryshaf]].
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+He was also the father of Heget.
-Reference: http://www.amberwood.org/egypt.htm
+Ra is a self-creating god, fashioning himself from [[Mehturt]], a mound (see [[Ogdoad]]) that came from the waters of [[Nu]], or a lotus flower.  He also created [[Shu]] and [[Tefnut]] out of his semen or mucus, [[Hu]] and [[Sia]] from the blood from his penis and humanity from his tears.

Ash at 01:13, 1 March 2005

2005-03-01T01:13:22Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:13, 1 March 2005
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	'''Ra'''~~<br>~~		{{egyptiangods}}
	Ra was the god of the sun during dynastic [[Egypt]]; the name is thought to have meant "creative power", and as a proper name "Creator", similar to English Christian usage of the term "Creator" to signify the "almighty God." Very early in Egyptian history Ra was identified with [[Horus]], who as a hawk or falcon-god represented the loftiness of the skies. Ra is represented either as a hawk-headed man or as a hawk. <br>		'''Ra''' was the god of the sun during dynastic [[Egypt]]; the name is thought to have meant "creative power", and as a proper name "Creator", similar to English Christian usage of the term "Creator" to signify the "almighty God." Very early in Egyptian history Ra was identified with [[Horus]], who as a hawk or falcon-god represented the loftiness of the skies. Ra is represented either as a hawk-headed man or as a hawk. <br>
	<br>		<br>
	Owing to the fact that the sun was a fire, the Egyptians realized that in order to travel through the waters of Heaven and the [[Underworld]], it required a boat, and so Ra was depicted as traveling in a boat. During the day the boat was a great galley called Madjet ("becoming strong") and during the night, a small barge called Semektet ("becoming weak"). <br>		Owing to the fact that the sun was a fire, the Egyptians realized that in order to travel through the waters of Heaven and the [[Underworld]], it required a boat, and so Ra was depicted as traveling in a boat. During the day the boat was a great galley called Madjet ("becoming strong") and during the night, a small barge called Semektet ("becoming weak"). <br>

Pmrpr at 03:00, 1 November 2004

2004-11-01T03:00:20Z

New page

'''Ra''' 
Ra was the god of the sun during dynastic [[Egypt]]; the name is thought to have meant "creative power", and as a proper name "Creator", similar to English Christian usage of the term "Creator" to signify the "almighty God." Very early in Egyptian history Ra was identified with [[Horus]], who as a hawk or falcon-god represented the loftiness of the skies. Ra is represented either as a hawk-headed man or as a hawk. 
 
Owing to the fact that the sun was a fire, the Egyptians realized that in order to travel through the waters of Heaven and the [[Underworld]], it required a boat, and so Ra was depicted as traveling in a boat. During the day the boat was a great galley called Madjet ("becoming strong") and during the night, a small barge called Semektet ("becoming weak"). 
 
During dynastic Egypt Ra's cult center was Annu (Hebrew "On", Greek "Heliopolis", modern-day "Cairo"). In Dynasty V, the first king, [[Userkaf]], was also Ra's high priest, and he added the term "Sa-Ra (Son of Ra)" to the titulary of the pharaohs. 
 
Ra was father of [[Shu]] and [[Tefnut]], grandfather of [[Nut]] and [[Geb]], great-grandfather of [[Osiris]], [[Set]], [[Isis]], and [[Nephthys]], and great-great-grandfather to [[Horus]]. In later periods (about Dynasty 18 on) Osiris and Isis superseded him in popularity, but he remained "Ra netjer-aa neb-pet" ("Ra, the great God, Lord of Heaven") whether worshiped in his own right or, in later times, as half of the Lord of the Universe, [[Amen-Ra]]. 

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Reference: http://www.amberwood.org/egypt.htm