Major Cults of Egypt

The cults of Ra and Osiris were the

most important forms of Egyptian worship.

Osiris's myth displayed the ideals of family devotion and how important it is to community.  Along with family devotion, Osiris was connected with the Nile River, the grain of the Earth, the moon, and sun.  Osiris was the protector of all people, whether they were poor or rich and was known as king and judge of the dead.  When murdered by his brother, Set, he became a symbol of eternal persistence of life.  

Ra's cult was one of the most important in Ancient Egypt.  He was thought of as a living power whose everyday sequence of birth, journey, and death was an essential theme of life.  The pyramid was Ra's main emblem and became the main design of monumental tombs for Egyptian Pharaohs.  Ancient rumors have linked him to be a direct ancestor of past kings.  Some hymns have even called him a dead king.