Rituals in Ancient Egypt

Ancient Egyptian life revolved around rituals.

Egypt was a highly ritualistic society. Traditions and rituals dominated every aspect of this ancient civilization, from worship of the gods to putting on makeup. Egypt's most famous rituals, however, involve mummification and burial of the dead.

Types

The ancient Egyptians had elaborate death rituals. After embalming and mummification, ritual funeral processions including masked priests and servants bearing offerings took place as the corpse was transported to its final resting site. The Opening of the Mouth ceremony followed, an important ritual that allowed mummies to accept food sacrifices. This ceremony included a ritual purification that involved cow's milk and salt.

Benefits

According to the Encyclopedia Smithsonian, death ceremonies were important to ancient Egyptian societies because they believed that the body was the home of the spirit, whether in life or in death. The spirit would be lost if the body were destroyed.

Theories/Speculation

The Encyclopedia Smithsonian theorizes that ancient Egyptians did not have an abnormal preoccupation with death, despite their elaborate funerary rituals and processions. Rather, they enjoyed life intensely and simply wanted to ensure that it would continue into the next world.

References

• Per-Ankh: The Daily Temple Rituals
• Minnesota State University, Mankato: Ancient Egyptian Beauty Aids
• King Tut: Death Rituals
• Encyclopedia Smithsonian: Egyptian Mummies