Egyptian funeral mythology

OUA HST 140 Assessment task 4

by Feodor Weissmann

student ID 40899152

I would like to open this assignment by quote, "The precise meaning of ka, ba, ach (akh), `shm (sekhem), and so on is no longer clear to us. Well-meaning scholars try again and again and again to force the Egyptian idea of the soul into our traditional categories without enabling us to understand even a little of it any better"(1). Tacking a modern and more mechanical approach one can argue that 'Opening of the Mouth' ceremony was an animation aimed to prove the concept of immortality by simple means thus showing that Khat can still sustain the Ka after physical death of the human. The ritual itself might also symbolised rebirth as it resembles clearing newborn’s mouth.

Heart (ib) of the deceased was believed to be used as an indicator for his decency. Heart is not a human, but a 'the god which is in man'. It is independent and remembers an essence of human`s activity and it provides the information during the judgement day in difference with Moses religions (Judaism, Christianity, Islam and Baha`i) with an all capable all knowing super being and it`s servants. Such situation implied that the final verdict of post mortar judgment could be manipulated. Heart was weight against the ethalon of accepted spiritual morality (accepted code of ethics). The ritual itself provides an mythical explanation to real need of common morality.

First declaration of innocence was clearly addressed to Osiris, he is the head judge and ruler of the underworld, Amenthe, and in the end it is he who give the final judgement and verdict what awaits the arriving soul. But he is also a father of all earth humans and as a father he wants his children to join him in his realm. even the positive verdict includes the approval of Osris as an owner of Amenthe, 'issues forth from Osiris' (2). Upon joining their "father", deceased called 'Osiris' since they are one now or perhaps they gain their father`s name as an addition, common practice among patriarchal cultures.

In the declaration of innocence one would concerned about not upsetting Ma`at, winged goddess standing for truth, order and cosmic balance and declaration itself is all about that. Person declaring that he obeyed lows of balance, thus is entitled to join Osiris in Amenthe as a part of Divine. The declaration itself gives us glimp on ancient Egyptian moral code. It provides general guidelines for balanced behavior with human surrounding but also sets specific rules and defines out-law behavior or crime.

Overall Egyptian funeral mythology provides, much as later religions sets ground rules of existence, moral code of society. It also supplies validity of such a code in form of necessity of correct behavior to reach the desired after life. Or it could be argued that Egyptian funeral mythology reminds that there is more in the world then oneself, more in life then body and everything is interconnected.

1 J. J. Poortman, Vehicles of Consciousness - the Concept of Hylic Pluralism

2. Assmann, Jan. "Death and initiation in the funerary religion of ancient Egypt 152.

General references:

Oxford Encyclopedia of Ancient Egypt

Assmann, Jan. "Death and initiation in the funerary religion of ancient Egypt