In ancient Egypt, names were powerful in themselves. Many Egyptians received two names, on a good name (that was known to all) and one a true name that was carefully concealed. In this early 1900s illustration by American artist Evelyn Paul, Isis, whom the Egyptians worshiped as the powerful goddess of nature and of magic is shown asking the all-powerful god Ra to reveal his true name. Ra refused. So, taking some of Ra's saliva that dripped from his mouth and mixing it with soil, she formed a snake that bit Ra. In horrible pain from the poisonous bite, he finally went into hiding with Isis and told her his name so that no one else could hear. Isis then cured him immediately.