Tag Archives: afterlife

Egyptian Afterlife: Weighing of the Soul

Arkane Curiosities

The ancient Egyptians believed that all deeds resided in a person’s heart — the bad and the good. When you died, your heart was weighed against the feather of Maat (goddess of truth and justice). This process was called the weighing of the soul and it determined what sort of afterlife you could expect.

Ma’at – A Universe in Perfect Order

The goddess Ma’at was the daughter of Ra and married to Thoth, god of wisdom. But she was so much more than a simple goddess in the mythological hierarchy of Egypt. Ma’at was a primordial force that keep the world working. With Ma’at, the world had order because she kept everything in balance.

The ancient Egyptians believed the universe had an order to it, and it was Ma’at who kept everything in balance. Her name referred to the overarching concept of truth, order, and justice that she represented. The ancient Egyptians believed that the world was maintained through the principles of Ma’at, which included notions of truthfulness, moral integrity, and social harmony.

A Single Feather

The Feather of Ma’at, also known as the Feather of Truth, was a symbolic element in ancient Egyptian mythology and religious beliefs. After death, a person’s soul would enter the Hall of Ma’at in the underworld, where their heart would be weighed against the Feather of Ma’at on a set of scales. 

If the heart was found to be lighter than the Feather of Ma’at, it symbolized that the person had led a virtuous and just life, adhering to the principles of truth and social harmony. The person was deemed worthy to proceed to the eternal paradise known as the “Field of Reeds.”

Should the scales tip unfavorably, signifying a heart burdened with the weight of wrongdoing, a dire fate awaited the soul. Ammit, a fearsome deity with the head of a crocodile, body of a lion, and hindquarters of a hippopotamus, stood ready to devour the heart. The soul of the deceased would then face eternal punishment or be denied access to the afterlife.

The emphasis on the balance between one’s actions and truth echoes the universal human pursuit of leading a morally upright life. The choices we make in life reverberate beyond our existence.

Tim Kane

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Egyptian Afterlife: Mummies with Golden Tongues

Arkane Curiosities

The ancient Egyptian civilization has always held an allure of mystery and magic, with intriguing burial rituals and belief in the afterlife. Among the fascinating artifacts discovered in Egyptian tombs are the Golden Tongue Amulets. These small yet significant charms have sparked the curiosity of archaeologists and historians alike, revealing not only the ancient Egyptians’ beliefs but also their artistic craftsmanship. So why do we find some mummies with golden tongues?

The Significance of the Golden Tongue Amulet

The Golden Tongue Amulet is a small, intricately crafted charm that was placed inside the mouths of deceased individuals during the mummification process. These amulets were believed to have magical properties, ensuring that the deceased would retain the ability to speak in the afterlife. 

Protect Your Speech

The Golden Tongue Amulet symbolized the power of speech and communication. In Egyptian mythology, it was essential for the deceased to recite the correct spells and incantations during their journey to the afterlife. The amulet served as a potent talisman, safeguarding the deceased’s ability to speak and express themselves in the presence of divine beings.

Also, during the weighing of the heart, the deceased would need to recite specific spells and declarations to assert their innocence and adherence to the principles of Ma’at. The amulet enabled the deceased to speak eloquently and convincingly before the divine tribunal.

Only Limited Golden Tongues

It’s important to note that not all mummies were found with golden tongues. The practice of adding golden tongue amulets seems to have been more prevalent during the New Kingdom (around 1550 to 1069 BCE). For example, when archeologists found a cache of mummies outside of Alexandria, only two had golden tongues. 

Artistry and Craftsmanship

Despite their small size, these amulets were meticulously crafted from precious metals such as gold, which symbolized the sun and the eternal cycle of life. The intricate details of the amulets, often shaped like small tongues, highlighted the artisans’ dedication to their craft and their reverence for the afterlife beliefs.

Tim Kane

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Ancient Egyptian Afterlife: The Opening of the Mouth Ceremony

Arkane Curiosities

The ancient Egyptians left behind an awe-inspiring legacy of culture, architecture, and beliefs. The ancient Egyptians also held a particularly fascinating and complex view of the afterlife. The concept of a double soul and the opening the mouth ceremony were only the start to a long journey in the ancient Egyptian afterlife.

Ka and Ba: The Dual Essence of the Soul

Central to the Egyptian concept of the afterlife were the ka and ba. These two aspects represented the dual essence of an individual’s soul. The ka was the life force or spiritual double, residing within the physical body during life and continuing to exist after death. It required sustenance in the form of offerings to remain content and connected to the earthly realm.

On the other hand, the ba was the individual’s personality, often depicted as a bird with a human head. After death, the ba would separate from the body to roam freely in the spirit world, visiting loved ones and sacred places. However, it needed to return to the tomb periodically to reunite with the ka and sustain its existence.

Opening the Mouth

The “Opening of the Mouth” ceremony aimed to revitalize the deceased’s senses, allowing the mummy to see, hear, smell, eat, and breathe again in the realm of the dead. Essentially, this would allow the ka, still residing in the body, to accept and enjoy any offerings presented to it. 

Key Elements of the Ceremony

Touching the Mouth: The priest touched the mouth and eyes of the mummy with a special forked tool. This gesture symbolized the restoration of the mummy’s senses, allowing them to speak and see again.

Incantations and Spells: During the ceremony, priests would recite spells and incantations to invoke the help of various gods and deities. These spells were believed to activate the powers of the objects used in the ritual and ensure the successful transition of the deceased into the afterlife.

Offerings: Replicas of milk (activated with the incantations) were presented to the mummy. This represented the baby’s first nourishment. There were also replicas for salt water (used for cleansing) and fresh water. These offerings were meant to sustain the deceased in the afterlife and provide them with the necessities for eternity.

Reborn: The idea that the body was “reborn” into the afterlife was strong. Egyptians used a forked blade (called a pesesh-kef) to touch the mummy’s mouth. This was the same tool used to sever the umbilical cord when this person was born.

The Opening of the Mouth ceremony aimed to reanimate the senses of the deceased and ensure their successful transition into the afterlife. By performing this ceremony, the ancient Egyptians believed that the mummy would be fully prepared to undertake the journey to the realm of the dead, where they could enjoy eternal life in the presence of the gods. 

Tim Kane

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