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The Egyptian Book of the Dead (Papyrus of Ani) · 266 of 357 · tr. E.A. Wallis Budge

Chapter 43 (part 27)

The Chapter of not going in to the divine block a second time. Vignette: A man standing with his back to the block. Chapter LI. The Chapter of not walking upside down in the underworld. Vignette: A man standing. Chapter LII.* The Chapter of not eating filth in the underworld. This Chapter has no vignette. Chapter LIII. The Chapter of not allowing a man to eat filth and to drink polluted water in the underworld. This Chapter has no vignette. Chapter LIV. The Chapter of giving air in the underworld. This Chapter has no vignette. Chapter LV. Another Chapter of giving air. Vignette: The deceased holding a sail in each hand. Chapter LVI. The Chapter of snuffing the air in the earth. Vignette: The deceased kneeling, and holding a sail to his nose. Chapter LVII. The Chapter of snuffing the air and of gaining the mastery over the waters in the underworld. Vignette: A man holding a sail, and standing in a running stream. Chapter LVIII.* The Chapter of snuffing the air and of gaining power over the water which is in the underworld. Vignette: The deceased holding a sail. Chapter LIX. The Chapter of snuffing the air and of gaining power over the water which is in the underworld. Vignette: The deceased standing with his hands extended. Chapters LX., LXI., LXII. The Chapters of drinking water in the under world. [1. Lepsius, Todtenbuch , Bl. 21. 2. A variant vignette of Chapters LV. and XXXVIII. represents the deceased being led into the presence of Osiris by Anubis; see Naville, Todtenbuch , Bd. I., Bl. 68.] Theban version: list of chapters. Vignettes: The deceased holding a lotus; the deceased holding his soul in his arms; and the deceased scooping water into his mouth from a pool. Chapter LXIII A . The Chapter of drinking water, and of not being burnt with fire. Vignette: The deceased drinking water from a stream. Chapter LXIII B . The Chapter of not being boiled (or scalded) in the water. Vignette: The deceased standing by the side of two flames. Chapter LXIV. The Chapter of coming forth by day in the underworld. Vignette: The deceased adoring the disk, which stands on the top of a tree. Chapter LXV. [The Chapter of] coming forth by day, and of gaining the mastery over foes. Vignette: The deceased adoring Ra. Chapter LXVI. [The Chapter of] coming forth by day. This Chapter has no vignette. Chapter LXVII. The Chapter of opening the doors of the tuat and of coming forth by day. This Chapter has no vignette. Chapter LXVIII. The Chapter of coming forth by day. Vignette: The deceased kneeling by the side of a tree before a goddess. Chapter LXIX. Another Chapter. Chapter LXX. Another Chapter. Chapter LXXI. The Chapter of coming forth by day. Vignette: The deceased with both hands raised in adoration kneeling before the goddess Meh-urt. Chapter LXXII. The Chapter of coming forth by day and of passing through the hall of the tomb. Vignette: The deceased adoring three gods. Chapter LXXIII. (This Chapter is now known as Chapter IX.) Chapter LXXIV. The Chapter of lifting up the legs and coming forth upon earth. Vignette: The deceased standing upright. Chapter LXXV. The Chapter of travelling to Annu (On), and of receiving an abode there. [1.
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Themes
Anthropomorphismtheology

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

[auto] Deities like Osiris and triads are depicted interacting with the deceased in human-like forms and settings within the vignettes.

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Cosmic Dualismtheology

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

[auto] The text contrasts the ordered state of the deceased with chaotic monsters like crocodiles and snakes representing disorder.

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Funerary Navigationpraxis

Texts and rituals guiding the soul through death.

[auto] The passage is an excerpt from the Book of the Dead, explicitly detailing chapters and vignettes designed to guide the deceased through the underworld and judgment.

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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.

The vignette for Chapter XXXI describes the weighing of the heart against truth, which is the central ritual embodiment of Maat.

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Psychopomp Journeycosmology

Guided passage of the soul through afterlife realms.

[auto] The text describes the passage of the soul through afterlife realms, including the presence of Osiris and navigation past dangerous creatures.

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Ritual Puritypraxis

The maintenance of a state of cleanliness—physical, moral, or spiritual—required for encounter with the divine.

[auto] The vignette of the heart weighing implies a requirement for moral purity and truth (Ma'at) to successfully encounter the divine.

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Sacred Namestheology

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

[auto] Multiple chapters reference 'magical words' that carry ontological power to repel dangers and facilitate passage in the underworld.

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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.

Vignettes depict ritual actions such as spearing beasts or holding sails to actively repel harm and engage divine protection.

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