The Gods of Ancient Egypt -- The Sun Boat

The Sun Boat

The Sun Boat (or Sun Barque) is the great ship in which Ra (or Atum or other gods) and his companions sailed through the sky giving light to the world. It is also the ship in which the gods traveled from the heavens to earth and which Ra took to go back to the sky when he became old, leaving Osiris in power. When the gods use it to travel between the worlds, it is called "The Boat of a Million Years."

Traditionally, the Sun Boat shows Ra in the center wearing the sun disk on his head. Osiris and Isis stand behind him, arms raised in prayer. Sometimes Nephthys is depicted as well. Set and Mehen stand with weapons raised to strike Apep.

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