Egyptian Book of the Dead

The Book of the Dead – history

Shares


The Book of the Dead



The Book of the Dead is an ancient Egyptian funerary text that was used from the beginning of the New Kingdom (around 1550 BC) to around 50 BC. It was placed in the coffin or burial chamber of the deceased, and was believed to help the deceased navigate the afterlife.

Book of the Dead
Book of the Dead

The Book of the Dead is a collection of spells and magical formulas, some of which are very old, dating back to the Pyramid Texts of the Old Kingdom (2686-2181 BC). The spells were written on papyrus in hieroglyphics or hieratic script, and were often accompanied by illustrations.

The Book of the Dead is an ancient Egyptian funerary
The Book of the Dead is an ancient Egyptian funerary

The Book of the Dead was not a single, fixed text. It was a collection of spells that could be customized to the individual needs of the deceased. The spells were often written in a standardized format, but the specific content could vary.

The Book of the Dead was believed to help the deceased in a number of ways. It could help the deceased to:

Navigate the dangerous journey to the afterlife

Avoid being devoured by a monster called Ammit

Gain access to the Field of Reeds, the Egyptian paradise

Be reunited with their loved ones

Achieve eternal life

The first translation of the Book of the Dead was published in 1842 by the British Egyptologist, E.A. Wallis Budge. Budge’s translation was based on a papyrus that was found in the tomb of a priest named Ani. Budge’s translation was not without its flaws, but it was a groundbreaking work that helped to make the Book of the Dead accessible to scholars and laypeople alike.

Since Budge’s translation, many other translations of the Book of the Dead have been published. These translations have benefited from the discovery of new papyri and the development of new methods of translation. As a result, our understanding of the Book of the Dead has grown significantly in recent years.

Here are some of the most popular spells from the Book of the Dead:

The Coffin Texts: These spells were originally written on the walls of pyramids, but they were later copied onto papyri. The Coffin Texts are some of the oldest spells in the Book of the Dead, and they deal with a variety of topics, including the deceased’s journey to the afterlife and their transformation into a god.

The Book of Coming Forth by Day: This is the most famous section of the Book of the Dead. It contains spells that are designed to help the deceased navigate the dangerous journey to the afterlife and gain access to the Field of Reeds.

The Book of the Oversoul: This section of the Book of the Dead contains spells that are designed to help the deceased’s soul survive in the afterlife.

The Book of the Day and Night: This section of the Book of the Dead contains spells that are designed to help the deceased protect themselves from harm and achieve eternal life.

The Book of the Dead is a complex and fascinating text that has been studied by scholars for centuries. It offers a unique glimpse into the beliefs and practices of ancient Egypt, and it continues to be a source of inspiration and mystery for people all over the world.

The Papyrus of Ani

The Papyrus of Ani photo
The Papyrus of Ani photo

The Papyrus of Ani is a funerary text that was written for Ani, a high-ranking scribe who lived during the Nineteenth Dynasty of ancient Egypt (c. 1250 BCE). The papyrus is 78 feet long and contains 211 spells and vignettes. The spells are designed to help Ani navigate the dangerous journey to the afterlife and gain access to the Field of Reeds, the Egyptian paradise.

The papyrus begins with a series of spells that are designed to protect Ani from harm on his journey to the afterlife. These spells include the “Opening of the Mouth” spell, which is designed to restore Ani’s senses, and the “Negative Confession,” in which Ani denies having committed any sins.

The papyrus then goes on to describe Ani’s journey through the underworld. Ani encounters a number of challenges along the way, including a series of gates that are guarded by fearsome creatures. However, Ani is able to overcome these challenges with the help of the spells in the papyrus.

Finally, Ani arrives at the Field of Reeds, the Egyptian paradise. The Field of Reeds is a lush and verdant land where the dead can live in peace and happiness. Ani is reunited with his loved ones and he enjoys a long and happy life in the Field of Reeds.

The Papyrus of Ani is a valuable source of information about the beliefs and practices of ancient Egypt. It is also a beautiful and intricate work of art. The illustrations on the papyrus are some of the most striking and memorable images from ancient Egypt.

The Papyrus of Ani is currently on display at the British Museum in London. It is one of the most popular exhibits in the museum, and it attracts visitors from all over the world.

Here are some of the most notable spells from the Papyrus of Ani:

The Opening of the Mouth spell: This spell is designed to restore Ani’s senses so that he can eat, drink, and speak in the afterlife.

The Negative Confession: This spell is a list of 42 sins that Ani denies having committed.

The Weighing of the Heart: This spell describes the weighing of Ani’s heart against the feather of Maat, the goddess of truth and justice. If Ani’s heart is lighter than the feather, he is allowed to enter the Field of Reeds.

The Transformation of Ani into a God: This spell transforms Ani into a god so that he can live eternally in the Field of Reeds.

The Papyrus of Ani is a fascinating and complex text that has been studied by scholars for centuries. It offers a unique glimpse into the beliefs and practices of ancient Egypt, and it continues to be a source of inspiration and mystery for people all over the world.

Share