Ra: Egyptian Sun God, Creator of Mankind and Vanquisher of Chaos

His tears created mankind — and at the end, we’ll recall the one thing even he could not overcome...

Ra — the sun god and the supreme deity of ancient Egyptian religion. He appears as the creator of the world, god of light and cosmic order. Known as the son of primordial chaos, self-created or born from the first mound of creation. At the heart of his legacy lies dominion over the sky, earth, and underworld.

The Birth of Light: How Ra Emerged at the Dawn of the World

According to the Pyramid Texts — the oldest religious writings of Egypt — Ra emerged from the primeval mound that rose from the boundless waters of Nu, the ancient chaos. He created himself, appearing as the solar disc rising in the east. In some versions, he is also identified with Atum, a deity who embodies all the creative forces.

Ra then created the gods Shu (air) and Tefnut (moisture), who gave birth to Geb (earth) and Nut (sky). Thus, the structured cosmos was born — with Ra not only as the source of light, but as the divine force maintaining balance in the universe.

Remember this emergence from chaos — it plays a crucial role later in his eternal struggle against darkness.

Ra as King of Gods and Lord of Mankind

In Middle Kingdom texts, especially the Hymns to Ra (found in tombs and papyri), Ra is portrayed as the sovereign of both gods and mortals. He rules the world from the heavens, journeying each day across the sky in the solar boat Mandjet, and each night through the underworld Duat in the boat Mesektet.

Ra was not only a god but also the first king of Egypt. According to legend, he personally ruled humanity until he began to age — and humans grew disrespectful toward the divine. In anger, Ra sent the wrathful goddess Sekhmet to punish them. This event marks a turning point in Egyptian tradition — the shift from divine rule to human kingship.

Ra’s Nightly Journey and the Battle with Apep

Now we arrive at the most thrilling part — the daily battle. Each night, Ra sails through the Duat and faces the serpent Apep (also known as Apophis) — the embodiment of chaos, destruction, and darkness.

In every hour of the night, Ra struggles to keep his boat afloat and protect the light. He is aided by other gods, especially Set, who stands at the prow with a harpoon, as well as Heka, Isis, and Bastet.

This nightly battle symbolizes the perpetual movement of the cosmos: day replaces night, but it is not automatic — it is a heroic effort of order triumphing over chaos. Sometimes, Apep manages to seize the boat, and solar eclipses are seen as signs of his temporary victory. Yet Ra always prevails.

Ra and Isis: The Legend of the Stolen Name

One of the most intriguing myths, recorded in the Chester Beatty Papyrus, tells how the goddess Isis sought to obtain Ra’s power. She fashioned a magical serpent from clay that bit Ra as he walked upon the earth. The pain was unbearable, and Ra could not heal himself — for he refused to speak his secret, true name.

Isis offered to cure him, but only if he revealed that hidden name — the source of his divine power. In the end, Ra was forced to yield. This tale emphasizes the sacred nature of names in Egyptian tradition, and symbolizes the passing of divine authority from one generation of gods to the next.

Old Age, Withdrawal, and Syncretism

According to the Book of the Heavenly Cow, Ra grew old and withdrew from the world, ascending into the sky and leaving earthly rule to other gods. But he did not vanish. Over time, Ra became part of many syncretic forms: Ra-Atum, Ra-Horakhty, and Amun-Ra.

His fusion with Amun was especially important during the New Kingdom (c. 1550–1070 BCE), when Amun became the state deity and Ra his celestial aspect. Thus Ra retained his majesty, though transformed in form.

Even in his retreat, Ra did not die — he remained the eternal light that never fades.

Ra as the Symbol of Order, Renewal, and Everlasting Light

In ancient Egyptian belief, Ra was not just the sun god. He embodied the sustaining order of life, the origin of creation, and the promise of rebirth. He was revered in hymns and sacred texts with deep devotion.

His symbols include the solar disc, the scarab beetle (symbolizing sunrise), the falcon (his sky form), and the solar boat in which he journeys daily.

His cult endured for over 3,000 years. Depictions of Ra can be found in temples at Heliopolis, Karnak, Luxor, on amulets, sarcophagi, and in sacred scrolls.

Today, Ra remains a symbol of undying light — his name echoed in ships, films, and even space missions. But behind it all lies an ancient source, worthy of rediscovery — just as the Egyptians once saw him, brilliant and divine.