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The Egyptian Book of the Dead (Papyrus of Ani) · 155 of 357 · tr. E.A. Wallis Budge

Chapter 19 (part 2)

The god Uatch-ura , "Great Green Water," with each hand extended over a pool; that under his right hand is called She en hesmen , "Pool of Natron," and that under his left hand She en Maaat , "Pool of Nitre or Salt" (to illustrate lines 47-50). 3. A pylon with doors, called Re-stau , "Gate of the funereal passages" (to illustrate lines 56-58). 4. The utchat facing to the left above a pylon (to illustrate line 73). 5. The cow (Fig. 1) Mehurt maat Ra , "Mehurt, the eye of Ra," with a flail and having on her head a disk and horns and round her neck the collar and menat (to illustrate lines 75-79).[1] 6. A funereal chest from which emerge the head of Ra, and his two arms and hands, each holding the emblem of life. The chest, which is called aat Abtu , "the district of Abydos," or the "burial place of the East," has upon its side figures of the four children of [1. In the papyrus of Hunefer (British Museum papyrus No. 9902) the god Thoth is represented offering the utchat to the Mehurt cow. (Fig. 2.) ] {p. 279] Horus who protect the intestines of Osiris or the deceased. On the right stand Tuamautef and Qebhsennuf, and on the left Mestha and Hapi (to illustrate lines 82, 83). Plate IX. 1. Figures of three gods who, together with Mestha, Hapi, Tuamautef, and Qebhsennuf, are the "seven shining ones" referred to, in line 99. Their names are: Maa-atef-f, Kheri-beq-f, and Heru-khent-maati. 2. The god Anpu (Anubis), jackal-headed. 3. Figures of seven gods, whose names are Netchehnetcheh, Aaqetqet, Khenti-heh-f[1], Ami-unnut-f[2], Tesher-maa,[3], Bes-maa-em-kerh,[4] and An-em-hru[5] (to illustrate lines 99-106). 4. The soul of Ra, and the soul of Osiris in the form of a human-headed bird wearing the crown conversing in Tattu a scene of very rare occurrence, and illustrating lines 111, 112. [1. I.e. , "He dwelleth in his flame." 2. I.e. , " He who is in his hour." 3. I.e. , " Red of both eyes." 4. I.e. , "Flame seeing in the night." 5. I.e. , " Bringing by day."] Plate X. I. The Cat, i.e. , the Sun, which dwelleth by the persea tree in Heliopolis, cutting off the head of the serpent Apepi, emblematic of his enemies.[1] 2. Three seated deities holding knives. They are probably Sau, Horus of Sekhem, and Nefer-Tmu. 3. Ani and his wife Thuthu, who holds a sistrum, kneeling in adoration before the god Khepera, beetle-headed, who is seated in the boat of the rising sun (to illustrate lines 116 ff.). 4. Two apes, emblematic of Isis and Nephthys (to illustrate lines 124, 125). 5.
Themes
Cosmic Dualismtheology

Ontological opposition between two primal principles (light/darkness, truth/lie, spirit/matter) as the fundamental structure of reality.

The Cat/Sun cutting off the head of the serpent Apepi represents the conflict between order and chaos.

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Divine Lighttheology

The uncreated luminous quality of the divine, sometimes experienced directly in mystical states; illumination as revelation.

References to the Sun, 'seven shining ones', and gods dwelling in flame highlight the luminous quality of the divine.

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Spiritual Ascentpraxis

A staged journey of the soul upward through heavenly realms or levels of being toward the divine source.

The description of pylons and gates implies a staged journey upward or through realms toward the divine.

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Theurgypraxis

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.

Ritual actions like offering the utchat and kneeling in adoration are described as engaging the gods directly.

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Anthropomorphismtheology

Attributing human characteristics, emotions, or form to the divine; embodied divine imagery.

[auto] Deities are depicted with human or animal forms possessing human attributes such as hands, heads, and wearing jewelry like collars and menats.

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Funerary Navigationpraxis

Texts and rituals guiding the soul through death.

[auto] The passage describes specific gates, chests, and protective figures designed to guide the deceased through the afterlife, which is the central function of the Book of the Dead.

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Maat Cosmic Ordercosmology

The Egyptian principle of truth, balance, and right order underlying both the cosmos and human conduct; the parallel to Zoroastrian asha and Greek dike.

[auto] The text explicitly references 'Maaat' in place names and deity titles like 'Mehurt maat Ra', central to Egyptian cosmic truth.

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Psychopomp Journeycosmology

Guided passage of the soul through afterlife realms.

[auto] The description of the 'Gate of the funereal passages' and protective figures like the children of Horus implies a guided passage through afterlife realms.

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Sacred Namestheology

Divine names or formulas that carry ontological power, used in prayer, liturgy, or magical practice.

[auto] The text explicitly provides divine names and their etymological meanings (e.g., Uatch-ura, Re-stau), reflecting the Egyptian belief in the power of true names.

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