Explaining the ‘Curse of Ra’ copypasta and the memes it inspired

Curse of Ra image via Getty
'Curse of Ra' picture via Getty

The internet has a way of turning the most obscure things into viral memes—and nothing proves this better than the bizarre rise of the “Curse of Ra” copypasta. At first glance, it might sound like a throwback to ancient Egyptian history, but this viral text isn’t about pharaohs or hieroglyphics.

Instead, it’s a ridiculous block of text that spiraled out of control on Reddit and Twitter, becoming a meme sensation. The "Curse of Ra" claims that sharing the text will curse you for life unless you pass it on, much like those old chain emails that warned you'd never find true love if you didn't forward them to ten people.

Yet, this digital curse has turned into a massive inside joke. With every new repost, more users have edited, parodied, and exaggerated the ridiculousness of the supposed “curse.” Now, the Curse of Ra copypasta has gone beyond text—memes, edits, and entire threads mocking the phenomenon have popped up, leaving Gen Z to revel in this absurdity.


How the ancient curse 'Ra' became the internet’s latest meme sensation

The origins of the ‘Curse of Ra’ Copypasta

The "Curse of Ra" initially appeared in various online forums like Reddit, where users shared the block of text as a humorous take on superstitions. It plays off the concept of ancient curses but fuses it with modern internet culture in the most nonsensical way. The copypasta warns readers that failing to repost the text will result in bad luck, invoking Ra, the Egyptian sun god, to punish you.

The humor lies in the ridiculous, over-the-top nature of the curse, filled with exaggerated consequences. Anyone who's been on the internet long enough knows the drill: it's not about actually believing in the curse, but about how far users can take the joke. And boy, did they run with it.

Soon after its initial appearance, users began tweaking the text to make it even funnier. Some versions threatened that Ra would show up in your DMs if you didn’t repost, while others suggested that failing to forward the message would result in Ra canceling your Netflix subscription. The absurdity of these outcomes is exactly what fueled the copypasta’s popularity, with people joining in just to see how far they could stretch the joke.


Memes inspired by the curse

The internet, of course, is never content with just words. The “Curse of Ra” quickly spawned a whole slew of memes, mostly poking fun at how ludicrous the copypasta is. A popular trend involves users photoshopping images of Ra—usually represented by a glowing, all-seeing eye or a crude Egyptian-style drawing—into memes, making it seem like the god of the sun himself is out for digital revenge.

One meme shows Ra furiously typing on a computer, “responding” to those who didn’t forward the copypasta, while another features an image of Ra checking off a list of those who “failed” him, with the caption: “Me after ignoring the ‘Curse of Ra’ for the 10th time.” It’s this blend of ancient imagery with modern internet culture that gives the meme its absurd charm.

The meme's humorous tone resonated with Gen Z in particular, who are well-versed in internet absurdity and thrive on surreal humor. The “Curse of Ra” became yet another inside joke that only most online users understood, further cementing its place in meme history.


Why the ‘Curse of Ra’ Wwon’t go away anytime soon

Part of what keeps the “Curse of Ra” alive is its ability to adapt. Just when you think the meme is on its way out, someone repurposes it with a fresh twist or meme format. Its durability lies in its flexibility, with users able to shape it into whatever punchline they need at the moment. In this way, the “Curse of Ra” is the internet’s perfect embodiment of irony—it’s a joke that relies on being in on the joke, and the curse isn’t one to be feared but laughed at.

Plus, the internet’s obsession with making light of everything, from ancient mythology to current events, means that this copypasta and its meme variants will likely continue to thrive for some time. As long as there’s someone out there who hasn’t yet made a Ra meme, the curse will keep spreading, feeding off its own comedic energy.


The “Curse of Ra” copypasta has become a hilarious relic of the internet, transforming from a silly block of text into a full-blown meme phenomenon. Its absurdity, adaptability, and connection to internet culture have made it a lasting joke in the online world.

Whether or not you choose to repost the text to avoid Ra’s wrath, one thing’s for sure—the memes and laughs will keep coming. Just remember, if you wake up tomorrow with an angry Egyptian sun god in your inbox, you can’t say you weren’t warned!

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Edited by Debanjana