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Egyptian Funerary rites |
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History
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Written by Karen McCarthy (TDC)
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Thursday, 27 August 2009 16:23 |
1. The opening of the mouth ceremony is important so that Horus (the tongue) is made available to the deceased, as this would ensure that the deceased retains the ability to speak, a very important aspect of its journey through to the afterlife. Without Horus, the deceased would not be able to quote spells required for its journey, but more importantly, without the opening of the mouth ceremony; he/she would be unable to name the tribunal gods that would ensure the completion of its journey through to the afterlife. “Knowing the names of the tribunal gods, gives the traveller power over them.” (Budge, 2401 BC)
2. The Heart (Thoth) is extremely important to the deceased, as the ancient Egyptians believed that the heart was "the seat of intellect" and that the heart "is the mind." (White, 1952)Ptah is Horus and Thoth, who take on the form of Atum “for the very great one Ptah.” (Atiya 2007) Both Horus and Thoth are required to be accessible by the deceased on its journey. Horus and Thoth rule over all the limbs, the heart (Ptah) is in everybody and Horus (Ptah) is in every mouth of every living thing. (Lichtheim 1975)
• Ani and his wife Tutu are the only real characters depicted in the illustration, with all others being mythical. An ostrich's feather is used to weigh Ani's heart; this is done to discern if Ani is without sin. A hybrid monster, named Ammit, sits behind Thoth, ready to devour the heart if it is found to be sinful. (Faulkner, 1972) The setting resembles that of a modern day court room, with 12 gods and goddesses witnessing the weighing and judgment.
3. Osiris role is to act/judge the dead. Osiris listens to their oaths to ensure that they have performed everything right and good on earth, and to ensure that they are not lying about their deeds. (Roehrig, 1988)
• The deceased is called Osiris because Osiris is believed to have absorbed the identity of Khentiamentiu. Khentiamentiu was the “Jackal divinity” known as "the foremost of Westerners", (Westerners being the dead.) Due to Osiris' absorption he became known as "Ruler over the dead in the afterlife." (Roehrig, 1988)
4. Upon entering the "Hall of Two Truths" the deceased person can recite the final spell. The deceased are required to know all the names of all the tribunal gods. A man can recite this speech, only when he is "pure, clean, dressed in fresh clothes, shod in white sandals, painted with eye-paint and anointed with the finest oil of myrrh." (Wilkinson, 2003) The deceased names each god, with the ability to protest his/her innocence regarding the crime judged by that god. (Wilkinson, 2003)
• The requirements of the Egyptian people in their quest for a favourable final journey, is one of perfection in life. All the requirements demanded on a person’s life, before death, are something that would be almost impossible to fulfil. Like most religions, it keeps the people fearful of retribution in the afterlife. When people are fearful, they are easier to control whilst they still live. A rather famous person once said, "Let he, who is without sin, cast the first stone." (James, 53,56 A.D.)
Bibliography
Atiya, Farid. "Memphis and Heliopolis." In Ancient Egypt, by Farid Atiya. Washington D.C: American Univ in Cairo Press, 2007. p99.
Budge, Translated by E.A. Wallis. "The Papyrus of Ani: Egyptian Book Of The Dead." In The Papyrus of Ani: Egyptian Book Of The Dead: The Opening of the Mouth. Inc(R)þI: DAK Industries, 2401 BC. Chapter 23.
Lichtheim, Miriam. "Ptah The Supreme God." In Ancient Egyptian Literature: The Old and Middle Kingdoms, by Miriam Lichtheim, California: University of California Press, 1975, p54.
Faulkner, Trans. R.O. The Ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead. London: British Museum, 1972, p14.
James, King. "The Holy Bible." In John, by The Apostle Johnl, John 8:7. England: Church of England, p53,56 A.D.
Roehrig, Sue D'Auria. Peter Lavovara. Catharine H. "Osiris. In Mummies and Magic." In The funerary arts of Ancient Egypt, by Sue D'Auria. Peter Lavovara. Catharine H Roehrig. Boston: Boston Museum, 1988. p50,51.
White, Jon Ewbank Manchip. "The Priest." In Ancient Egypt; Its Culture and History, by Jon Ewbank Manchip White. New York: Peter Smith Pub Inc, 1952. p38,39.
Wilkinson, Richard H. "Judgment Dieties, (Great Tribunal, Dieties of the Hall of Justice." In The Complete Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt, by Richard H. Wilkinson. United Kingdom: Thames & Hudson Ltd, 2003. p84,85.
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Last Updated on Thursday, 27 August 2009 16:25 |
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