Visual Culture

Ancient Egypt - Book of The Dead

 

The 'book of the dead' contains spells, charms, passwords, numbers, magical formula's which are for...

• fetching the ferry boat in the sky
• for passing by the dangerous coils of Apep
• for being transformed into any shape that you might wish to take
• guidance through the proper responses in the hall of judgement

They would develop spell which would guide their love ones through the process to the afterlife.

It would be a long, challenging process with lots of tough obstacles and traps by the monsters and demons. The Egyptians called the spells which help through the process 'going forth by day' now know as 'the book of the dead'.

The description would be engraved onto papyrus or linen and then placed onto the body of the deceased, this will help them recognise the underworld and pass through unharmed.

 

The Egyptian believe that to obtain the bliss In heaven, the 'field of reeds', they had to pass the demons who guarded all of the gates. This made them become very dangerous and a challenging obstacle. The only way that you would be able to pass is if you stood before the demons and said ' I know you, I know your name'.

You had to correctly name all of the demons, there names were...

• The Barker
• The raging one with hippopotamus face
• He who devours filth from his hind parts
• The unapproachable
• The bloodsucker
• He who eyes spew fire

Religion in ancient Egypt ruled their everyday lives, they used as many as 2000 gods and goddesses which showed characteristics of a specific earthly force which was combined with heavenly power. The gods and goddesses were represented as part human part animal. The book of the dead would show their true beliefs.

 

There two main gods which they would worship were Aman-Ra and Osiris. Aman-Ra, the sun god, lord of the universe and Osiris, god of the underworld, peaceful afterlife.

To become one with the god Osiris, you would travel in the solar boat with the god Ra. This wouldn't be a simple trip, it was a trip with many obstacles and traps.

 

The Egyptian devoted a lot of time when it comes to preparing for the journey into the afterlife. The knowledge of the appropriate spells would be essential when achieving happiness after death. The spells and enchantments vary when it come to 'text of mummies' and 'sarcophagi', this depend on the class of the deceased.

 

The book of the dead illustrated the tests which the dead would be subjected too. The most important part of the tests would be the weighing of the heart. the heart would be weighed against a feather and if the heart weighed less than the feather it would be allowed to pass, this would be because it is not weighed down with sin. The book would demonstrate the Egyptian concept of the afterlife, and magic formulas which assure the decease happy existence.

The engravings would teach them how to greet the sun, how to worship Osiris,  how to kill crocodiles and serpents, and how to establish relationships with other souls.

Each book isn't the same, they all have their own character to the deceased.