Significance of Boat of the sun

The Egyptian "boat of the sun" symbolizes a celestial journey, aiding souls in traversing waters to ascend to heaven. It's depicted alongside the boat of souls, passing through the Red Sea. The boat contains a disk with a beetle, encircled by a serpent. Gods like Horus pole the boat of the sun, while Harpocrates is in the boat of the moon. The boat of the sun is comparable to the ark of the moon and the bark of Orion.

Synonyms: Solar boat, Solar barque

The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.

Classical concept of 'Boat of the sun'

Various literature Books

Meaning of Boat of the sun in Ancient Egyptian mythology, history and philosophy:
Egypt Books

From: The Book of Gates

(1) The boat of the sun passes through divisions of the Tuat, such as the Tenth and Eleventh, and is towed by gods, with SA commanding and HEKA steering.[1] (2) The boat of the sun is towed on its way by four gods of the Tuat, with the god in the same form as before, and piloted by SA and HEKA.[2] (3) The boat of the sun passes through the Eighth Division of the Tuat and arrives at the gateway called AAT-SHEFSHEFT, which leads to the NINTH DIVISION.[3] (4) It is a vessel that travels through the Tuat, passing through divisions and gateways, bringing light and order to the underworld.[4] (5) The Boat of the Sun passes through the Sixth Division of the Tuat and arrives at the gateway which leads to the SEVENTH DIVISION, marking its journey through the underworld.[5]

From: The Book of Am-Tuat

(1) The text refers to the Boat of the Sun as being present in the last hour of the night, carrying the Sun-god under a canopy formed by the serpent Mehen, with the beetle of Khepera at its fore.[6] (2) The Boat of the Sun carries the god under a canopy formed by the serpent Mehen, with a disk encircled by a uraeus called PESTU on its prow.[7] (3) The Boat of the sun is the vessel in which the god travels, protected by the serpent Mehen, as he navigates through the Tuat during the night, according to the text.[8] (4) The boat of the sun is a vessel that carries the sun god through the Tuat, with divine sailors accompanying it, and it arrives at the Ninth Division during the Ninth Hour.[9] (5) The boat of the sun is being drawn along by seven gods and seven goddesses through the Fifth Division of the Tuat during the Fifth Hour of the night.[10]

From: The Book of the Dead

(1) It rejoices and allows the great god to advance in peace, and is associated with the rowing of gods.[11] (2) It is what the pectoral bears a representation of, wherein is set a scarab, emblematic of the Sun.[12] (3) This vessel contains the great god, who has fought for thee and is one of the holy princes making Osiris victorious.[13] (4) Boat of the Sun is traced in colors or worked in relief on pectorals, with the scarab placed so as to appear carried in the boat, flanked by Isis and Nephthys.[14] (5) A seat in the boat of the Sun is requested on the day of the going forth of the god, with the hope of being received into the presence of Osiris.[15]

From: Ancient Egypt the Light of the World

(1) Made historical in the gospels, with varying numbers of figures on board, preceding the twelve, symbolizing a celestial journey.[16] (2) The boat of the sun and the boat of souls passed through the cleft by water, as depicted in the vignettes of the Red Sea of the mythos.[17] (3) The way of souls in their ascent to heaven is equally by water, whether in the ark of the moon, the bark of Orion, or the boat of the sun, which helps them traverse the waters.[18]

From: The Literature of the Ancient Egyptians

(1) The Boat of the Sun is what pious men wished to travel in from this world to the next, armed with words of power, as referenced in the Book Am Tuat.[19] (2) He who is there shall certainly stand in the Boat of the Sun, and shall bestow upon the temples the best [offerings]. He who is there shall indeed become a man of understanding who cannot be resisted, and who prayeth to Ra when he speaketh.[20]

From: The Gods of the Egyptians Vol 1

(1) In the centre is this, and we see in it a disk containing a beetle ; the disk is encircled by a huge serpent in folds, which holds its tail in its mouth.[21]

From: Egyptian Magic

(1) In the second group of gods are the boat of the Sun being poled along by Horus, and the boat of the Moon, with Harpocrates in the bow.[22]

Egypt was an ancient civilization ruled by pharaohs that left behind an extensive cultural heritage and mythology. The Egyptians build the Pyramids of Giza and various temples of great size. Located in North Africa, part of this civilization’s success is the effective use of the River Nile. Their religious pantheon included many Gods dispersed over various belief systems, philosophies and cults.