Ra

Ra (pronounced /rɑː/ or /reɪ/) is the ancient Egyptian sun god. He is one of the most important deities in ancient Egyptian religion, often considered the king of the gods and the father of all other gods. Ra was believed to traverse the sky in a solar barque (boat), bringing light to the world by day and descending into the underworld by night. In Egyptian mythology, Ra was a central figure in the creation myth, often depicted with a falcon head crowned with a solar disk encircled by a sacred cobra. The name "Ra" translates to "sun" or "day" in Egyptian. In Hebrew, Ra is referred to as "Ra" (רע) or "Ha-Shemesh" (השמש), meaning "the sun." In Arabic, Ra is known as "Ra" (رع) or "Shams" (شمس), meaning "sun." Ra's significance is deeply intertwined with the concept of kingship and the pharaoh's divine right to rule, as the pharaoh was often associated with Ra's earthly manifestation.