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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.[1] 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.[2] 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.] {p. xxxvii} 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.[1] 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.[2] 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.
Themes
◆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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◆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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◇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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◇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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Related passages · 4 parallels
◆christian_mysticism|The Life and Doctrines of Jacob Boehme|Chapter 12 (part 8)
“2 "It is erroneous to suppose that the soul of Christ had left the body and had travelled down to hell, and that it had there, in divine power, attacked the devils and bound them with chains, and thus destroyed hell. It is rather to be und…”
Both passages deal with the theme of overcoming death and the underworld. The Egyptian Book of the Dead describes various chapters and vignettes aimed at protecting the deceased from various dangers in the afterlife, while the Christian passage describes Christ's soul entering death and the wrath of God, reconciling it with love, and destroying hell. Both traditions share the concept of triumph over death and the underworld, albeit through different narratives and theological frameworks.
◆christian_mysticism|The Life and Doctrines of Jacob Boehme|Chapter 14 (part 1)
“p. 289 CHAPTER XIV. DEATH AND ETERNAL LIFE. "The mystic death is the beginning of eternal life." Man is a product of three worlds His spirit is of God, his soul from the constellation of the astral elements, his body from the elements of…”
Both passages discuss the journey of the soul after death and the concept of rebirth or eternal life. They share themes of transformation, judgment, and the separation of the soul from the physical body, though they come from different mystical traditions.
◆christian_mysticism|The Life and Doctrines of Jacob Boehme|Chapter 14 (part 7)
“This light moderates the action of the fiery will still active in them, the blessings of their good deeds surround them, the hope for still greater glorification is their life, and from the trouble and persecution which they have suffered t…”
Both passages deal with the afterlife and the fate of the soul, emphasizing the importance of deeds and the avoidance of harm or corruption. The Egyptian Book of the Dead focuses on rituals and chapters to protect the deceased from various dangers in the underworld, while the Christian mystical text describes the blessed souls being surrounded by the light and power of God, protected from sin and suffering.
◆jewish_mysticism|The Book of Enoch (1 Enoch, Charles translation)|Chapter XXII (part 1)
“XXII. Sheol, or the Underworld . CHAPTER XXII. 1. And thence I went to another place, and he showed me in the west ⌈ another ⌉ great and high mountain [ and ] of hard rock. E 2 And there was in it †four† hollow places, deep and wide an…”
Both passages describe the afterlife and the experiences of the deceased in the underworld, including themes of judgement, separation of spirits, and the conditions of the afterlife. They share a conceptual parallel in their depiction of the underworld as a place of division and specific experiences for the dead.