Egyptian Religion Vocabulary

Polytheism  Polytheism is the belief in many gods.  Egyptians and Mesopotamians both had religions that were a form of polytheism.

Deity  A deity is another word for god or goddess.  The Egyptian religion had many deities.

Gods and Goddesses  Ancient Egyptians worshipped over 2000 different gods  Before Egypt was united, their were 40 tribes all with different gods.  After Egypt was united, all the Gods were kept, so many gods had similar characteristics  Many gods and goddesses had the head of an animal and the body of a human.

How Gods Dressed  Tunic with suspenders.  Dress with suspenders.  The short loincloth  The short-sleeved overall  The full-length dress

Important Gods Amun  Appearance: A Man with a ram-head wearing an ostrich feather hat  Amun was one of the most powerful gods in ancient Egypt. ancient Egypt.  At the height of Egyptian civilisation he was called the 'King of the Gods'.

Important Gods Atum  Appearance: Man with the double crown  Atum was a creator god.  It was belived that Atum was the first god to exist on earth.

Important Gods Anubis  Appearance: A Man with the head of a jackal  Anubis was the god of embalming and the dead.  Jackals were often seen found in cemeteries, because of this it was believed that Anubis watched over the dead.

Important Gods Ra (re)  Sun God  Appearance:  A man with the head of a Hawk wearing a sun disk headdress  He was the most important God  The ancient Egyptians believed that each night Ra was swallowed night by Nut, the sky goddess then reborn in the morning.

Important Gods Ma’at  Appearance:  A Woman with a feather on top of her head  Ma'at was the goddess of truth, justice and harmony.  Ma’at was oftene associated with the balance of things on earth

Important Gods Thoth  Appearance: A man with the head of an ibis holding a writing palette  Thoth was the god of knowledge and writing  It was said that he gave the gift of hieroglyphics

Important Gods Horus  Appearance: Man with the head of a hawk  Horus was a god of the sky. He is the protector of the ruler He is the protector of the ruler of Egypt.  It was believed that the pharaoh was the 'living Horus'.

Important Gods Osiris  Appearance: A mummified man who is wearing a white headdress with feathers  Osiris was the god of the dead, and ruler of the Underworld.  Osiris was also the god of vegetation (plant matter) that’s why he is green in appearance.

BOOK OF THE DEAD Contains spells, charms, passwords and numbers to help secure an easy passage for the deceased into the after life Contains spells, charms, passwords and numbers to help secure an easy passage for the deceased into the after life Egyptians believed that knowledge of the appropriate spells was essential to achieving happiness in the next life Egyptians believed that knowledge of the appropriate spells was essential to achieving happiness in the next life The book of the Dead was first inscribed on the sarcophagus, then later written on papyrus paper The book of the Dead was first inscribed on the sarcophagus, then later written on papyrus paper The book of dead inscribed on tomb   weighing of the heart against Ma'at’s Feather

BOOK OF THE DEAD (reu nu pert em hru) Spell 125 is one of the most well known segments which is the judging of the soul done by Osiris and his 42 judges Spell 125 is one of the most well known segments which is the judging of the soul done by Osiris and his 42 judges The weighing of the heart against Ma'at is considered one of the more important chapters The weighing of the heart against Ma'at is considered one of the more important chapters "Book of the Dead" meant to aid deceased in not dying a second time and becoming an akh "Book of the Dead" meant to aid deceased in not dying a second time and becoming an akh The book of dead inscribed on tomb   weighing of the heart against Ma'at’s Feather

SPIRIT OF THE DEAD Egyptians believe that each person is composed of three essential elements: Ka (soul or spirit of a person), Ba (personality), Akh ( the body in which the soul is kept in the afterlife) Ka, ba and akh are believed to be immortal (never dies) parts of the soul thus remaining alive inside the body after death.  Ba Ka 

SPIRIT OF THE DEAD In the Opening of the Mouth ceremony, the ba and ka are released into the next world Upon death, the ba and ka become separated from the body but remain alive Because the body of the deceased is mummified, the body must rely on the ba to find the ka  Ba leaving the body