Ancient Egyptian Religious Practices

Study of Religious practices specific to Mummification and beliefs about the after life.

     When one mentions Egypt, people typically think of a desert region in which there is much strife in modern days and the country that is home to some of the most famous ancient structures. True though this may be, Egypt is also a country richly steeped in history and culture. In ancient times it was heavily centered around the Nile, and only began to truly spread its influence after unifying (Lower and Upper Egypt) into one nation under one all powerful ruler. 
     In ancient Egypt, daily life revolved around religion and the mythologies passed throughout the generations, as well as having rather interesting ideas of the afterlife and the preservation of of the body for life after death. As death was not the end in Egyptian culture, there wasn't much fear of dying, however, there was much fear of being erased from existence after death. This could take form of their names being chiseled out of the records in their burial places, having curses placed on them by people who know their "true names", having their heart eaten by Ammit which would ultimately result in their very soul and essence snuffed out of existence. It was believed that different parts of the body had their own significance and importance. For example. the brain was deemed as an organ that had no real significance and was usually simply extracted using a hook and pulling it out through the nose, while the heart held the most significance (and was usually placed back into the body after undergoing a preservation process) as it was believed that it housed the soul or essence of the person. Through these beliefs the Canopic jars were created. Each jar held specific organs, which were first preserved and kept intact, and the jars themselves were usually decorated with the heads of different deities (specifically the sons of Horus¹) and sometimes engraved with protective spells.

The Canopic Jars of Djedbastetiuefankh (That is actually how it's spelled, but have no clue how it's pronounced)

      Ammit is the utterly terrifying existence for ancient Egyptians as it is not only a devourer but it is a type of hybrid between a goddess and demoness with the body comprised of parts from a lion, hippopotamus, and crocodile.² She is shown in the picture (another excerpt from the Book of the Dead) below right next to Anubis and the scales which weighed the heart of the deceased as part of one of the final stages of the final judgment of the dead.

Ammit the Devourer of the Dead

     In the picture above, the final judgment of Hunefer is taking place. Hunefer was a scribe who lived during the 19th dynasty (roughly 1310 B.C.E.)³ What is important to understand is that the Book of the Dead was a book created specifically for the deceased. It wasn't just a generic book which would be of use to everyone. Each copy of the book was made with the deceased in mind, each spell and answers to the questions posed by each deity were specifically made. No detail was left out, as it was literally a matter of second life or death.
     Names held extreme importance in ancient Egyptian culture. It was believed that each person has a true name which is only spoken at certain rituals and only held by the person themselves. Since names held such power over individuals, it wasn't uncommon for the ancient Egyptians to have at least two names. One which was used in daily life and known by friends and their neighbors, and a secret name which is known by the immediate family only.
     The religious practices and methods of mummification were said to be handed down by Anubis⁴ to his priests and allowed for the quality preservation of not only the royal families, but also some of the nobles and even some workers. Of course over the course of time, the cost of mummification increased and so services were rendered based on one's social status and how much family members were willing to pay to help their loved one be whole in the afterlife. It was believed that the afterlife was just an upgraded version of this life, and that one must be preserved whole here in order to be able to fully enjoy the afterlife. For example, if you were buried and missing limbs or eyes you would not be able to see, or even move those missing limbs in the after life.


An excerpt from the Ancient Book of the Dead, the Judgment of Ani (another scribe)

       These religious practices didn't appear out of nowhere, they changed and morphed over time into how we study and know them today. It is so fascinating to look back towards the past to try to understand the thought processes and why certain civilizations held certain beliefs and how they changed overtime. These changes can be clearly seen now as there is an increase in access to information as well as the many studies done by many individuals who actively study these cultures and religions.

¹“Third Intermediate Period.” Death and the Afterlife in Ancient Egypt, by John H. Taylor, University of Chicago Press, 2001, pp. 86–87.

²Unknown. “Ammit.” Ancient Egypt Online, ancientegyptonline.co.uk/ammit/.
³“Hunefer, Book of the Dead.” Khan Academy, Khan Academy, 
         www.khanacademy.org/humanities/ap-art-history/ancient-mediterranean-ap/ancient-egypt-ap/a/hunefer-book-of-the-dead.
⁴Egyptian Civilization - Religion - Mummification, 
         www.historymuseum.ca/cmc/exhibitions/civil/egypt/egcr06e.html.