The Egyptian Book of the Dead (Papyrus of Ani) · 31 of 357 · tr. E.A. Wallis Budge
Chapter 4 (part 28)
The Chapter of bringing a boat in the underworld.
Vignette: A boat.
Chapter C.
The Chapter of making perfect the khu , and of making it to enter into the boat of Ra, together with his divine followers.
Vignette: A boat containing a company of gods.
Chapter CL.* The Chapter of protecting the boat of Ra.
Vignette: The deceased in the boat with Ra.
Chapter CII.
The Chapter of going into the boat of Ra.
Vignette: The deceased in the boat with Ra.
Chapter CIII.
The Chapter of being in the following of Hathor.
Vignette: The deceased standing behind Hathor.
Chapter CIV.
The Chapter of sitting among the great gods.
Vignette: The deceased seated between two gods.
Chapter CV.
The Chapter of satisfying the ka .
Vignette: The deceased burning incense before his ka .
Chapter CVI.
The Chapter of causing joy each day to a man in Het-ka-Ptah (Memphis).
Vignette: An altar with meat and drink offerings.
Chapter CVII.* The Chapter of going into, and of coming forth from, the {p.
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gate of the gods of the west among the followers of the god, and of knowing the souls of Amentet.
Vignette: Three deities: Ra, Sebek, and Hathor.
Chapter CVIII.
The Chapter of knowing the souls of the West.
Vignette: Three deities: Tmu, Sebek, and Hathor.
Chapter CIX.
The Chapter of knowing the souls of the East.
Vignette: The deceased making adoration before Ra-Heru-khuti.
Chapter CX.
The beginning of the Chapters of the Fields of Peace, and of the Chapters of coming forth by day, and of going into, and of coming forth from, the underworld, and of attaining unto the Fields of Reeds, and of being in the Fields of Peace.
Vignette: The Fields of Peace.
Chapter CXI.
(This Chapter is now known as Chapter CVIII.) Chapter CXII.
The Chapter of knowing the souls of Pe.
Vignette: Horus, Mesthi, and Ha-pi.
Chapter CXIII.
The Chapter of knowing the souls of Nekhen.
Vignette: Horus, Tuamautef, and Qebhsennuf.
Chapter CXIV.
The Chapter of knowing the souls of Khemennu (Hermopolis).
Vignette: Three ibis-headed gods.
Chapter CXV.* The Chapter of coming forth to heaven, of passing through the hall of the tomb, and of knowing the souls of Annu.
Vignette: The deceased adoring Thoth, Sau and Tmu.
Chapter CXVI.
[The Chapter of] knowing the souls of Annu.
Vignette: The deceased adoring three ibis-headed gods.
Chapter CXVII.
The Chapter of taking a way in Re-stau.
Vignette: The deceased, holding a staff in his hand, ascending the western hills.
Chapter CXVIII.
The Chapter of coming forth from Re-stau.
Vignette: The deceased holding a staff in his left hand.
Chapter CXIX.
The Chapter of knowing the name of Osiris, and of going into, and of coming forth from, Re-stau.
Vignette: The deceased adoring Osiris.
Chapter CXX.
(This Chapter is now known as Chapter XII.) Chapter CXXI.
(This Chapter is now known as Chapter XIII.) Chapter CXXII.* The Chapter of the deceased going in after coming forth from the underworld.
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Vignette: The deceased bowing before his tomb, which is on a hill.
Chapter CXXIII.
Themes
◆Gnosis Direct Knowledgesoteriology
Salvation through direct experiential knowledge of the divine nature, not through faith, ritual, or moral works alone.
Multiple chapters focus on 'knowing' the souls of places and gods as a prerequisite for passage and protection.
Iamblichean ritual practice that engages the gods directly through consecrated material symbols and actions, on the premise that divine power descends into properly prepared matter — distinct from philosophical contemplation alone.
The chapters describe ritual actions like burning incense and protecting the boat to engage divine power directly.
A staged journey of the soul upward through heavenly realms or levels of being toward the divine source.
[auto] The journey involves entering the boat of Ra and passing through gates to join the divine followers, implying an upward or transcendent movement.