Seti I before Ra-Horakhty
New Kingdom, 19th Dynasty, c. 1290–1279 B.C.
Temple of Seti I, Abydos.
In this finely carved relief, Seti I stands reverently before the enthroned Ra-Horakhty, the composite solar deity crowned with the sun disk and uraeus. The king’s right hand is raised in a delicate gesture: with his pinky finger, he touches the divine cobra, symbol of celestial fire and royal authority.
Far from a casual motion, this act reflects a sacred rite, the pharaoh engaging in direct contact with the living essence of the sun god. The uraeus, representing the protective eye of Ra, is both a guardian and a bestower of legitimacy. Through this subtle gesture, Seti I demonstrates his divine right to rule, reaffirming his bond with the creator god and his role as upholder of cosmic order (Ma’at).
Such intimate divine interaction was the preserve of kings alone, for they were not merely rulers, but the bridge between heaven and earth.
Ra-Horakhty
Ra-Horakhty (Ra-Heru-Akhty) is a syncretic deity.a fusion of Ra, the ancient sun god and creator, and Horus, the sky god, protector of kings, in his aspect as Horus of the Horizon, the rising sun. Together, they form Ra-Horakhty, the solar deity, in his daily rebirth. He represents the sun in its ascent, symbolising life, power, and divine kingship, ideal for pharaohs seeking divine favour.
Above the figures, the hieroglyphic text almost certainly names him explicitly. These epithets are formulaic and often appear in temple scenes. Although we can’t fully translate the relief without a clearer view of the text, this kind of figure is almost always accompanied by such divine titulary confirming his identity.
