The Religion of Ancient Egyptians - Essay Example

Religion and Theology Ancient Egyptian Religion Ancient Egyptian religion can be described as a complex system that comprises of polytheistic rituals and beliefs. These components of the religion were integral to ancient Egyptian society. Ancient Egyptian religion centered on Egyptians’ interactions with the numerous deities. The deities were thought to be omnipresent and in control of nature. The rituals and practices of the religion were seen as efforts to appease and provide for the gods in order to gain their favor. Formal religious practices were centered on the King or Pharaoh of Egypt. The Pharaoh was a human being who was thought to have descended from the gods. The main role of the Pharaoh was to mediate between the gods and his people. The Pharaoh had a responsibility of sustaining the gods through the offerings and rituals, which were meant to ensure that the gods maintain order (Kaplan 12). Ancient religion in Egypt was a state affair, and the state dedicated enormous amounts of resources in order to ensure the rituals were conducted. Additionally, the state provided resources for the constructions of temples. Egyptian religion was characterized by many gods and goddesses. The goddesses were worshipped in different times and locations, and for different purposes. In Egypt, people interacted with the goddesses and gods for different purposes. In most of the cases, people sought to appeal to the gods and goddesses for help through prayers. They were also compelled to act through magic. Though these practices were distinct from the formal rituals, beliefs and institutions, they were closely linked. Popular religious practices and traditions grew prominent during the history of Egypt (Pinch 22). In addition to the beliefs and practices, Egyptians believed in funeral practices and an afterlife. Egyptians made efforts to acquire tombs, offerings and grave goods in order to ensure their souls survived. The offerings were meant to preserve the spirits and bodies of the dead. Egyptian religion, which had its roots in pre-historic Egypt, lasted for over 3,000 years. Over time, certain gods and goddesses became preeminent and popular. Changes in the ancient religion were prompted by the fact that details of the religious views changed, and the importance of the gods and goddesses declined or rose. During these changes, the intricate relationships between the gods and goddesses and humans also shifted. The rituals and beliefs, which are described as Ancient Egyptian Religion, were essential aspects of the Egyptian culture (Wilkinson 31). The religion was not monolithic because it comprised of varying and vast sets of practices and beliefs, which were linked by a common focus on the associations between the world of the spiritual and world of humans. The nature of the deities was inextricably associated with the understanding of the Egyptians, and their ideas of the properties of their world. Ancient Egyptian Goddesses Egyptians believed that nature was a spiritual force. The deified forces included abstract forces, elements and animal characteristics. Egyptians believed in many goddesses who took a central role in all aspects of the human society and nature. Egyptian religious practices towards the goddesses were meant to sustain and placate the phenomena. The polytheistic system was complex because some of the goddesses were thought to exist in different manifestations. Some were also believed to have multiple mythological roles. Natural elements and forces were also associated with various deities (Adil 49). For example, the sun was closely associated with a number of deities. The varied nature of the deities ranged from goddesses who had critical roles to minor goddesses with localized or limited functions. It also included goddesses who were adopted from foreign cultures, in addition to commoners who were deified. The depiction of the goddesses in arts is not meant as a representation of the appearance of the goddesses. The true nature of the goddesses was mysterious. The depictions gave recognizable appearance or form to the abstract deity through the use of symbolic imagery. These depictions also illustrated the role of each of the goddesses in nature (Lesko 98). For example, the goddess Nut was depicted as a goddess whose body could stretch. The Egyptian gods and goddesses had complex relationships. These relationships partly reflected the interrelationships and interactions of the forces and elements they represented. Egyptians grouped gods and goddesses together in order to reflect these interrelationships. Some of the groups were indeterminate and linked through the similarity of functions. In addition, some of the combinations linked independent gods and goddesses based on their symbolic meanings (Forest 19). One of the most common groupings was a family triad that comprised of a mother, father and child. Anput, the goddess of the 17th Nome was a goddess of protection and the desert. The goddess also represented the interrelationships between the deities because she was the mother of Kebechet. Ammit was the goddess of punishment. She was depicted as a crocodile, which represented the punishment of the soul. Ammit was thought to eat the souls of the dead who had sinned. She also protected the lake of fire where souls would be placed into liquid fire for eternity. Instead of being worshipped, Ammit was feared. Ammit was neutral and she served at the whims of other deities. She would take the souls that committed sins against the other gods and punish them or send them to oblivion. The goddess Anubis and Ammit were grouped together because of their roles. Anubis was the god of the dead. Anuket was the goddesses of the River Nile (Atiya 41). She was worshiped in areas such as the Elephantine Island and parts of Nubia. She was worshipped in these locations because of their significance to the river. The goddess was believed to be the daughter of the goddess Satis and god Khnum, the sources of the river. Egyptians believed that her arms were the two tributaries of the Nile. She was also associated with fast moving things because tributaries were thought to move quickly. She is artistically represented as a gazelle. One of the greatest goddesses of Egypt was Isis, the wife and sister of Osiris. The two deities are believed to have a son, whom they named Horus. Isis protected children and she was considered as a magician or goddess of magic. Isis had healing powers, and she had the powers to cast spells on other gods, such as Ra. According to Egyptian mythology, Isis is thought to have the powers to bring someone back to life (Bell and Sarah 51). For instance, she brought Osiris back to life for a day and night. Isis is depicted as a goddess that has a sun disk above her head. In most of the cases, she appears as a queen. Kebechet was a goddess of purification and freshness. She is considered as a wandering goddess. Kebechet was the daughter of Anput and Anubis. She helped her father in his duties of embalming. She was associated with the embalming of fluids that were used during the mummification process. Kebechet was depicted as a snake or body of stars. Seshat was an important goddess because she represented knowledge. She was the goddess of astronomy, writing, architecture and mathematics. Wadjet was also an important goddess, and she was considered as the goddess of children and childbirth. In addition, she protected Lower Egypt and later became the guardian or protector of kings. Wadjet is artistically represented as a cobra (Bell and Sarah 68). Conclusion Ancient Egyptian religion is considerably a complex polytheistic system. The religion was characterized by the worshipping of numerous gods and goddesses. Additionally, people performed rituals and practices in order to appease the deities. Throughout the history of ancient Egypt, the roles of the deities would change. Some of them would acquire greater roles or functions while others would become minor entities. However, religion played a crucial role in the society, and the state was involved in ensuring that temples were constructed, and rituals and practices followed. The deities were also artistically represented in order to give an abstract object form or appearance. Work Cited Adil, Janeen R. Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt. Mankato, Minn: Capstone Press, 2009. Print. Atiya, Farid S. Ancient Egypt. Giza, Egypt: Farid Atiya Press, 2006. Print. Bell, Michael, and Sarah Quie. Ancient Egyptian Civilization. New York: Rosen Central, 2010. Print. Forest, Christopher. Ancient Egyptian Gods and Goddesses. Mankato, Minn: Capstone Press, 2012. Print. Kaplan, Leslie C. Art and Religion in Ancient Egypt. New York: Power Kids Press, 2004. Print. Lesko, Barbara S. The Great Goddesses of Egypt. Norman: Univ. of Oklahoma Press, 2009. Print. Pinch, Geraldine. Egyptian Mythology: A Guide to the Gods, Goddesses, and Traditions of Ancient Egypt. New York: Oxford University Press, 2010. Print. Wilkinson, Richard H. The Complete Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt. London: Thames & Hudson, 2013. Print. Read More