Eye of Ra

9.9

A powerful sun goddess in ancient Egypt who appears as a lioness and protects or destroys

noun

Literature

: Ojo de Ra

The Eye of Ra was invoked for protection and vengeance in ancient ceremonies.

Examples

Artists often depict the Eye of Ra as a fierce lioness or blazing sun.
Legends describe the Eye of Ra as both a protector and destroyer among the gods.
The Eye of Ra symbolizes protection and power.
In ancient texts, the Eye of Ra is often mentioned.
In ancient Egyptian mythology, the Eye of Ra represents the fierce and protective power of the sun.
The Eye of Ra is depicted as a lioness, symbolizing the destructive force of the sun.
Many ancient Egyptians prayed to the Eye of Ra for its divine protection against evil.

Synonyms

Sekhmet

vsEye of Ra

Literature

1 9.9

Egyptian goddess with a lion's head who represents the sun's power to destroy

is usually depicted as a female lioness rather than a male lion

Sekhet

vsEye of Ra

Literature

9.9

A lioness-headed ancient Egyptian goddess of the sun, seen as both a healer and a destructive force

is shown as that goddess and regarded as an extension of the sun god

Surface Forms

Eye of Ra singular

Morphology

Eye + of + Ra

The phrase is compositionally an 'eye' belonging to Ra, so a learner who knows 'eye' and the proper name 'Ra' can infer it's something associated with the sun god (e.g., a symbol or attribute). However, the specific cultural meaning — that it is personified as a goddess with protective and destructive powers — requires mythological knowledge and is not fully derivable from the constituents. Because there is a clear possessive/compositional relation but culturally specific, non-transparent senses, this is best rated as semi-transparent.

Etymology

Eye of Ra comes from old Egyptian stories. People imagined the eye of the sun god Ra as a blazing sun or a fierce lioness sent out to punish enemies or guard the king, so the image became a sign of both 'protection' and 'destruction'.