What does Amun mean in Egyptian?
Amun-Re, a form of the sun god, is sometimes depicted as a sphinx or a human with the head of a hawk. The disk of the sun is a symbol of this god. The word Amun means “the hidden” or the “hiddenness of divinity”, whereas Re means “the sun” or the “divinity in the power of the sun”.
How did Egyptians worship Amun?
Amun, god of the air, was one of the eight primordial Egyptian deities. Amun revealed his will and wishes through the use of oracles controlled by the priests. Amun had a following of priests who were overthrown by the Pharaoh Akhnaton when he replaced the worship of Amun with Aton.
What does the god Amun represent?
Amun (also Amon, Ammon, Amen, Amun-Ra) is the ancient Egyptian god of the sun and air. He is one of the most important gods of ancient Egypt who rose to prominence at Thebes at the beginning of the period of the New Kingdom (c. 1570-1069 BCE). His cult was the most powerful and popular in Egypt for centuries.
How did Amun become a god?
He was promoted to national god by Ahmose I, the first pharaoh of the New Kingdom because the king believed that Amun had helped him drive the Hyksos from Egypt. He was also adopted into the Ennead of Heliopolis when he merged with the ancient sun god (Ra) to become Amun-Ra.
What animal represents Amun?
The sacred animal of Amun was originally the Goose, and like Geb, he was sometimes known as the “Great Cackler”. Later, Amun was more closely associated with the Ram, a symbol of fertility.
What symbol is Amun?
| Amun | |
|---|---|
| Symbol | two vertical plumes, the ram-headed Sphinx (Criosphinx) |
| Consort | Amunet Wosret Mut |
| Offspring | Khonsu |
| Greek equivalent | Zeus |
Is Amun-Ra the sun god?
Originally, Amun-Ra was known as Ra who was recognized as the “Sun God.” He not only created himself, but he was the creator of the entire universe. Ra also possessed many stories known to the Egyptians such as bringing light to the sky for the people on Earth and the Underworld demonstrating his power.