Egyptian Book of the Dead
Egyptian Book of the Dead
The Egyptian Book of the Dead - sounds mysterious, magical and
frightening - and in some respects it was ! But what exactly was the
Egyptian Book of the Dead? What was the purpose of the Book of the Dead?
Egyptian Magic
Spells
Definition of the Egyptian Book of the Dead
The
Egyptian Book of the Dead was an ancient survival guidebook which
contained magical spells and instructions to ensure safe passage through
the dangers of the Underworld. Funeral prayers were chanted to Egyptian
Gods and protective spells were cast. A papyrus scroll containing
sections and spells from the Book of the Dead was buried with the
Ancient Egyptians to help them leave their tombs and through their
perilous journey and the obstacles they would face in the underworld.
The Book of the Dead was recorded by a royal Scribe called Ani. The Papyrus of Ani,
was originally 78 feet long and was divided into various chapters.
Origins of the Egyptian Book of the Dead
The Ancient Pyramid Texts contained
rituals for the deceased. These texts were cut in hieroglyphs on the
walls inside the pyramids of the kings of the 5th and 6th Dynasties of
the Old Kingdom. The 'Pyramid Texts' were then painted on coffins
(referred to as the Coffin Texts). These ancient Pyramid texts and
Coffin texts were gradually
developed into the elaborate Book of the Dead. During the 18th Dynasty
the process of mummification was well established and papyrus texts were
placed in the mummy case.
Contents of the Egyptian Book of the Dead
The Egyptian Book of the Dead was a sacred document studied by Egyptian
elite such as well-educated Egyptians, Royalty and Priests. It provided
an understanding of their religion and gave them a great advantage in
the understanding of Underworld and the Afterlife and the trials that
they would face. The Egyptian Book of the Dead contained nearly 200
different spells. Each spell was designed to help with the tests and
trials that would be met in the Underworld. The correct spells would
need to be recited to pass each test. Prior study of the spells
contained in the Book of the Dead with reference to the papyrus that
contained the spells guaranteed safe passage through the trials which
led to the Hall of Two Truths where their actions in their mortal lives
would be examined.
Papyrus containing
excerpts from the Egyptian Book of the Dead
The papyrus contained a selection of
appropriate spells from the Egyptian Book of the Dead which was an
essential element to be entombed with an Ancient Egyptian. The text
contained in the papyrus was often individualized for the deceased
person. The papyrus roll was enclosed in the tomb with the mummy and
excerpts from the Book of the Dead, with beautiful colored
illustrations, were also painted on the coffins.
Purpose of the
Egyptian Book of the Dead - Ancient Egyptian Beliefs
The religion of the Ancient Egyptians encompassed the following
fundamental beliefs which clarifies the purpose of the Book of the Dead:
-
Life and Death
were seen as stages of progress to a better life in the next
world
-
Mummification -
The Egyptians believed that preserving the body in death was
important to keep their soul alive -
without a
physical body the soul had no place to dwell and became
restless forever
-
The Underworld -
Definition: The Underworld, called Duat, was a land of great
dangers through which every Egyptian would need to pass
through after death according to the beliefs of the Ancient
Egyptian religion
-
Hall of the Two
Truths - The God of the Dead Anubis would lead the dead
through the dangers of
the Underworld to the Hall of Two Truths and the ceremony of
justification before Osiris and 42 judge deities. A set of scales
where his or her heart was weighed against the feather of
truth and their fate would be decided - either entrance into
the perfect afterlife or to be sent to the Devourer of the
Dead
-
The Afterlife -
A perfect existence in an ideal version of Egypt. Ancient Egyptians provided for their
afterlives according to their earthly means. The Afterlife
was referred to as the Field of Rushes or Field of Offerings
Anubis the God of the Dead and Embalming
The Egyptian Book of the Dead was therefore a set of instructions,
prayers and helpful spells to assist in the journey through the
Underworld to the Afterlife. The
dangers of the underworld included a variety of obstacles including
fearful beasts, various traps, demons and a long series of tests.
Anubis, the God of the Dead and Embalming,
played an important role in relation to the burial rituals of the
Ancient Egyptians and he was also believed to help guide souls through
the perils of the Underworld.
Egyptian Book of the Dead
Each section addresses all topics and
provides interesting facts and information about the Golden Age of
Pharaohs and the famous Gods and Goddesses of Egypt. The Sitemap provides full details
of all of the information and facts provided about the fascinating subject
of Egyptian Gods and the Pharaoh Tutankhamun!
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