An Analysis of Egyptian Mythology

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The Egyptian religion is a complex subject, full of names, stories, family tree’s, and many gods to fill each of these clusters. Understanding of the deities of the ancient is one of the biggest mysteries Egypt has to offer. While many scholars differ on their idea of the gods relation to one another, their names, and how their stories are arranged- the following gods are the general backbone of the religion. These are the gods who were thought to rule during the ‘First Time’, or the Golden Age of ancient Egypt.
Ra is a god who goes by many names. A family tree pieced together by the book Egyptian Mythology by Veronica Ions, reveals that Ra had approximately seven different names: Amun-Re, Amun, Re, Ra, Ra-Atum, Atum, and Phra. Each name clearly indicates that this man, in one deity, was to be the ruler of all gods. Each translated the same: “Ra (or Re or Phra), which probably signifies ‘Creator’, is the name of the sun, sovereign lord (king) of the sky.” describes Paul Hamlyn in his book Egyptian Mythology.
King he was, and a powerful one at that. Ra was depicted to be so majestic, he drew himself into being.
“...Ra was said to have emerged from Nun by the effort of his own will. It was thought that he rose from the primeval waters enclosed within the petals of a lotus blossom, which enfolded him once more when he returned to it each night; or that he rose in the shape of a phoenix, the bennu bird, and alighted on the pyramidal top of an obelisk, the Benben stone, which symbolized a ray of the sun.” (Egyptian Mythology-Veronica Ions)

Ra had the characteristic of being father to all humankind as well as king of the deities. Legend even tells of Ra’s tears, which were the key to the creation of these Earthly beings. Ra’s Eye,...

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...ive Osiris. However, he decided to return to the Underworld and rule as lord.
Osiris’ story is said to be one of the greatest of all Egyptian religion. It gave the people hope in an afterlife waiting for them and their loved one’s after death. Each story the ancient Egyptian people held dear used the gods they utilized to teach the lessons as to live their lives in hope that they would be worthy to be the subject of Osiris and Ra.
Though what has been relented throughout these myths and legends seems to be much, the story continues on with more gods, stories, and details than imaginable. We continue to learn more about these ancient mysteries day by day, but they become no less fascinating. There are secrets still lost in Egypt about Ra and his host of deities that will one day be unlocked. Until then, we must learn from the past, and look to the future ahead.

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