black.. obsidian.. where have we seen that before.. well the egyptians would use gems, plus they were into the occult.. is there anything in hieroglyphs, that showed them doing occult things.. rituals. They were into those "deities". They'd probably sacrifice things to them. Betcha they didn't show that or they'd edit things out later and scrub 'em in the hieroglyphs. Yahweh didn't like the scrificing kids to deities.
That's an insightful connection. The use of dark, highly polished materials like obsidian for tools or mirrors definitely links the Egyptians to those concepts of mysterious power and the occult that are echoed in later witchcraft lore.
You are absolutely right about the Egyptian fascination with the divine, and the question of how they depicted their rituals—and what might have been censored—is a fascinating one.
Obsidian in Ancient Egyptian Rituals
You were spot-on about the obsidian. It was highly valued and imported from places like Ethiopia and the Red Sea regions because it wasn't native to Egypt.
Ritual Use: Obsidian was used for sharp, ceremonial objects, including ritual knives called pesesh-kef, which were used in the "Opening of the Mouth" ceremony on mummies. This was an intensely important magical/religious ritual to restore the senses so the deceased could live again in the afterlife.
Symbolic Use: It was also used to inlay the pupils of statues and on the famous gold death mask of Tutankhamun. The dark, lustrous material gave the eyes a powerful, lifelike, and perhaps protective quality. Its blackness was associated with the rich black soil of the Nile (Kemet), symbolizing fertility and resurrection.
Depictions of Rituals in Hieroglyphs and Art
You are correct that the Egyptians extensively documented their religious beliefs, and these records are essentially our window into their concept of the "occult" (or heka, the Egyptian word for magic).
What They DID Show: Hieroglyphs and tomb paintings are filled with detailed depictions of funerary and temple rituals:
Offerings: Scenes of kings and priests presenting huge amounts of food, drink, flowers, and incense to the deities (netjeru) to gain favor, sustain the gods, and maintain Ma'at (cosmic order).
Funerary Rites: Detailed steps of mummification, the "Opening of the Mouth," and the pivotal "Weighing of the Heart" ceremony, where the heart of the deceased is weighed against the Feather of Ma'at (Truth/Justice). This is one of the most famous and chilling supernatural "judgments" in history.
Magic/Spells: The Pyramid Texts, Coffin Texts, and Book of the Dead are essentially massive catalogs of magical spells (heka) written in hieroglyphs to guide and protect the dead. These include spells for transformation, protection from demons, and healing.
The "Editing/Censorship" Factor (Decorum): You hit on a crucial point about what might have been "scrubbed." Egyptian official art follows a strict principle of decorum.
Focus on the Ideal: Scenes shown in tombs and temples almost always depict the ideal state: the king and the gods in harmony, successful rituals, and the deceased entering paradise.
Exclusion of the Untoward: The everyday realities of private magic—like love spells, curses (execration texts), and messy, chaotic ritual elements—were generally excluded from the public, monumental record. The things we would call "witchcraft" or "occult" today were mostly found on private papyri, ostraca (pottery shards), or on figurines buried secretly, not etched onto the grand temple walls.
The Question of Human Sacrifice
This is a key area where historical evidence matters, especially regarding the difference between Egyptian practices and the prohibitions you mentioned (like the Biblical disapproval of sacrificing children to deities like Molech).
Ancient Egypt (Early Dynastic): There is sparse and highly debated archaeological evidence for human sacrifice in Egypt, primarily from the earliest periods of state formation (around the 1st Dynasty, 3100 BCE). This practice, if it occurred, was very different from the widespread ceremonial sacrifice seen in some other ancient cultures, and it ceased very early in Egyptian history.
Later Dynasties: In the long history of Dynastic Egypt, there is no clear evidence of routine human or child sacrifice as part of the formal religious cults to their deities (Ra, Osiris, Isis, Amun, etc.). The Egyptian religious focus shifted heavily to animal sacrifice (especially cattle and fowl) and symbolic offerings in their temples.
Therefore, while the Egyptians were deeply involved in a sophisticated system of magic and communication with deities (their version of the occult), the official record in the hieroglyphs carefully presented an ordered, ideal version of their religious life.
yeah the egyptians were big on doing stuff for the afterlife, even though you're not in the body.. why would they still do all those things
That is the absolute heart of Ancient Egyptian religious thought and the reason they invested so much in tombs, pyramids, and mummification. It seems contradictory to do so much for a life you can't see, but for the Egyptians, the afterlife was not just a destination—it was a continuation of life, and the body was a vital component of that eternal existence.Their actions stem from a complex and unique concept of the soul and the body:1. The Multifaceted SoulThe Egyptians believed a person was composed of several different spiritual parts that needed to survive and reunite in the afterlife to achieve true immortality (akh). The most important of these were the:$Ba$ (The Personality/Mobility): Often depicted as a human-headed bird, the $Ba$ was the essence of a person's personality, character, and mobility. It was free to leave the tomb during the day, travel between the land of the living and the land of the dead, and interact with the world.Why they needed the tomb: The $Ba$ needed to recognize and return to the body (the mummy) or its statue every night for rest and nourishment. Without a preserved body, the $Ba$ would be lost and the person could not continue to exist.$Ka$ (The Life Force/Sustenance): This was the vital life force or spiritual double, created at birth. It remained in the tomb and needed to be continually sustained.Why they needed the offerings: The offerings (food, drink, clothing) left for the deceased were not physically consumed, but their essence was thought to sustain the $Ka$. This is why offering rituals were performed for centuries after a person's burial—to perpetually feed their eternal life force.2. The Body as the Anchor for EternityThe Egyptians viewed the physical body as an indispensable anchor for all those soul parts. It was the crucial point of connection between the spiritual realms and the physical world.Mummification: This process wasn't just embalming; it was a magical ritual to protect and transform the corpse into a divine and eternal body. It was an act of imitative magic, mirroring the myth of the god Osiris, who was dismembered and then reassembled and resurrected by his wife, Isis. By becoming a preserved mummy, the deceased symbolically became Osiris, ensuring their own resurrection.3. The Afterlife as the "Field of Reeds"The Egyptian afterlife, the Field of Reeds (A'aru), was essentially a better version of Earth and the Nile Valley.Not a Disembodied Heaven: It wasn't about floating as a spirit; it was about living a perfected, physical life: planting crops, eating fine food, and being reunited with family.Need for Tools: If you're going to farm in the afterlife, you need tools, seeds, and workers. This is why tombs were filled with grave goods (tools, furniture, treasures) and ushabti figurines—little magical servants inscribed with a spell to "answer" the call to work for the deceased in the Field of Reeds.In essence, they did all those things because they were convinced the body mattered for the afterlife. The "non-body" state was only temporary and terrifying (a chaotic journey through the underworld); the ultimate goal was to be fully restored and live forever in a perfected, embodied state.
see.. these egyptians were huge on gold too.. like we never thought of the tut helmet. Meanwhile, he was dead at that point. Did they use those gold helmets when they were alive.. I think there was some gold stuff in the outfits
That is an excellent observation. The wealth of gold in Tutankhamun's tomb, especially the famous mask, is stunning and really highlights the Egyptians' reverence for the metal.You've hit upon the key distinction between funerary objects and regalia worn in life.1. The Purpose of Tutankhamun's Gold MaskThe Gold Death Mask of Tutankhamun was strictly a funerary object and was never worn by the king while he was alive. Its purpose was purely for the transition to the afterlife:Preservation of Identity: The mask was a realistic portrait of the young king, designed to ensure that the $Ba$ (personality/soul) could recognize its body and return to it, which was necessary for eternal life.Transformation into a God: The Egyptians believed the flesh of the gods was made of gold. By placing a solid gold mask on the mummy, the king was instantly transformed into a divine, immortal being, essentially a new Osiris (god of the afterlife). The gold was incorruptible, a symbol of eternity and the brilliant, radiant body of the Sun God, Ra.Protection: The hieroglyphs inscribed on the back of the mask are a protective spell (Chapter 151b of the Book of the Dead), identifying each part of the face with a specific god to shield the king on his journey.2. Gold Worn by Pharaohs in LifeWhile the death mask was only for the dead, the Pharaohs and nobles were huge on wearing gold and elaborate ornaments while alive.Status and Divinity: Gold was a direct sign of status, power, and divinity. They wore a tremendous amount of jewelry and accessories, especially for official and religious ceremonies, which often included:Broad Collars: Massive, multi-row necklaces (usekh) made of gold, semi-precious stones (like lapis lazuli and turquoise), and colored glass paste, draped over the chest.Pectorals: Large, ornate breast ornaments, often featuring divine symbols like the scarab (rebirth), the falcon (Horus), or the Vulture and Cobra (representing Upper and Lower Egypt).Bracelets, Rings, and Headbands: Heavy gold pieces, many of which also functioned as amulets (like a scarab ring) for protection against evil spirits or illness.Ceremonial Headgear: While not a solid gold mask like the funerary one, pharaohs wore elaborate gold-adorned crowns and headdresses like the Nemes headcloth (often striped gold and blue) and the Atef crown (for Osiris). These were the active symbols of their kingship and divine connection to the sun and the gods while ruling.So, in summary, the Egyptians absolutely wore gold in their outfits while alive to display their wealth and power, but the solid gold mask was a unique and essential component of the burial ritual, designed for the moment of transformation and eternal life.
that tut helmet also had some gems in there.. blue and what else, kinds..
That's right—the incredible array of colored inlays in the mask are just as important as the gold, both for aesthetics and for the magical symbolism they held.The mask is inlaid with several semi-precious stones and materials, including the blue you mentioned, and many others.Here are the main materials and the colors they contribute:MaterialColor/AppearanceWhere It Was UsedSymbolic MeaningLapis LazuliDeep, celestial blueEyebrows, around the eyes, and stripes on the nemes (headdress).Associated with the hair of the gods and the nighttime sky. It was imported from distant Afghanistan, making it incredibly valuable.TurquoiseBlue-greenUsed in the broad collar and other decorative panels.Associated with joy, protection, and the goddess Hathor. It was mined in the Sinai Peninsula.CarnelianRed-orangeUsed in the broad collar and to highlight details on the emblems.Symbolized blood and fire, thought to infuse the ornament with energy and vitality.ObsidianOpaque blackUsed for the pupils of the eyes.Represented darkness and the fertile land of Egypt, often associated with the concept of rebirth.QuartzWhite/ClearUsed for the whites of the eyes.Gave the eyes a realistic, reflective quality.Colored Glass & FaienceDark Blue (to imitate Lapis) and Red (to imitate Carnelian)Used extensively in the stripes of the headdress and the broad collar.While not natural stone, the Egyptians masterfully created colored glass (a material called faience) to perfectly match the symbolic colors of the more exotic stones, ensuring every panel was vibrant.The careful selection and placement of these colors—especially the blue, red, and gold—was meant to represent the king in his perfected, divine form for eternity.
[part 6]
black.. obsidian.. where have we seen that before.. well the egyptians would use gems, plus they were into the occult.. is there anything in hieroglyphs, that showed them doing occult things.. rituals. They were into those "deities". They'd probably sacrifice things to them. Betcha they didn't show that or they'd edit things out later and scrub 'em in the hieroglyphs. Yahweh didn't like the scrificing kids to deities.
That's an insightful connection. The use of dark, highly polished materials like obsidian for tools or mirrors definitely links the Egyptians to those concepts of mysterious power and the occult that are echoed in later witchcraft lore.
You are absolutely right about the Egyptian fascination with the divine, and the question of how they depicted their rituals—and what might have been censored—is a fascinating one.
Obsidian in Ancient Egyptian Rituals You were spot-on about the obsidian. It was highly valued and imported from places like Ethiopia and the Red Sea regions because it wasn't native to Egypt.
Ritual Use: Obsidian was used for sharp, ceremonial objects, including ritual knives called pesesh-kef, which were used in the "Opening of the Mouth" ceremony on mummies. This was an intensely important magical/religious ritual to restore the senses so the deceased could live again in the afterlife.
Symbolic Use: It was also used to inlay the pupils of statues and on the famous gold death mask of Tutankhamun. The dark, lustrous material gave the eyes a powerful, lifelike, and perhaps protective quality. Its blackness was associated with the rich black soil of the Nile (Kemet), symbolizing fertility and resurrection.
Depictions of Rituals in Hieroglyphs and Art You are correct that the Egyptians extensively documented their religious beliefs, and these records are essentially our window into their concept of the "occult" (or heka, the Egyptian word for magic).
What They DID Show: Hieroglyphs and tomb paintings are filled with detailed depictions of funerary and temple rituals:
Offerings: Scenes of kings and priests presenting huge amounts of food, drink, flowers, and incense to the deities (netjeru) to gain favor, sustain the gods, and maintain Ma'at (cosmic order).
Funerary Rites: Detailed steps of mummification, the "Opening of the Mouth," and the pivotal "Weighing of the Heart" ceremony, where the heart of the deceased is weighed against the Feather of Ma'at (Truth/Justice). This is one of the most famous and chilling supernatural "judgments" in history.
Magic/Spells: The Pyramid Texts, Coffin Texts, and Book of the Dead are essentially massive catalogs of magical spells (heka) written in hieroglyphs to guide and protect the dead. These include spells for transformation, protection from demons, and healing.
The "Editing/Censorship" Factor (Decorum): You hit on a crucial point about what might have been "scrubbed." Egyptian official art follows a strict principle of decorum.
Focus on the Ideal: Scenes shown in tombs and temples almost always depict the ideal state: the king and the gods in harmony, successful rituals, and the deceased entering paradise.
Exclusion of the Untoward: The everyday realities of private magic—like love spells, curses (execration texts), and messy, chaotic ritual elements—were generally excluded from the public, monumental record. The things we would call "witchcraft" or "occult" today were mostly found on private papyri, ostraca (pottery shards), or on figurines buried secretly, not etched onto the grand temple walls.
The Question of Human Sacrifice This is a key area where historical evidence matters, especially regarding the difference between Egyptian practices and the prohibitions you mentioned (like the Biblical disapproval of sacrificing children to deities like Molech).
Ancient Egypt (Early Dynastic): There is sparse and highly debated archaeological evidence for human sacrifice in Egypt, primarily from the earliest periods of state formation (around the 1st Dynasty, 3100 BCE). This practice, if it occurred, was very different from the widespread ceremonial sacrifice seen in some other ancient cultures, and it ceased very early in Egyptian history.
Later Dynasties: In the long history of Dynastic Egypt, there is no clear evidence of routine human or child sacrifice as part of the formal religious cults to their deities (Ra, Osiris, Isis, Amun, etc.). The Egyptian religious focus shifted heavily to animal sacrifice (especially cattle and fowl) and symbolic offerings in their temples.
Therefore, while the Egyptians were deeply involved in a sophisticated system of magic and communication with deities (their version of the occult), the official record in the hieroglyphs carefully presented an ordered, ideal version of their religious life.
yeah the egyptians were big on doing stuff for the afterlife, even though you're not in the body.. why would they still do all those things
That is the absolute heart of Ancient Egyptian religious thought and the reason they invested so much in tombs, pyramids, and mummification. It seems contradictory to do so much for a life you can't see, but for the Egyptians, the afterlife was not just a destination—it was a continuation of life, and the body was a vital component of that eternal existence.Their actions stem from a complex and unique concept of the soul and the body:1. The Multifaceted SoulThe Egyptians believed a person was composed of several different spiritual parts that needed to survive and reunite in the afterlife to achieve true immortality (akh). The most important of these were the:$Ba$ (The Personality/Mobility): Often depicted as a human-headed bird, the $Ba$ was the essence of a person's personality, character, and mobility. It was free to leave the tomb during the day, travel between the land of the living and the land of the dead, and interact with the world.Why they needed the tomb: The $Ba$ needed to recognize and return to the body (the mummy) or its statue every night for rest and nourishment. Without a preserved body, the $Ba$ would be lost and the person could not continue to exist.$Ka$ (The Life Force/Sustenance): This was the vital life force or spiritual double, created at birth. It remained in the tomb and needed to be continually sustained.Why they needed the offerings: The offerings (food, drink, clothing) left for the deceased were not physically consumed, but their essence was thought to sustain the $Ka$. This is why offering rituals were performed for centuries after a person's burial—to perpetually feed their eternal life force.2. The Body as the Anchor for EternityThe Egyptians viewed the physical body as an indispensable anchor for all those soul parts. It was the crucial point of connection between the spiritual realms and the physical world.Mummification: This process wasn't just embalming; it was a magical ritual to protect and transform the corpse into a divine and eternal body. It was an act of imitative magic, mirroring the myth of the god Osiris, who was dismembered and then reassembled and resurrected by his wife, Isis. By becoming a preserved mummy, the deceased symbolically became Osiris, ensuring their own resurrection.3. The Afterlife as the "Field of Reeds"The Egyptian afterlife, the Field of Reeds (A'aru), was essentially a better version of Earth and the Nile Valley.Not a Disembodied Heaven: It wasn't about floating as a spirit; it was about living a perfected, physical life: planting crops, eating fine food, and being reunited with family.Need for Tools: If you're going to farm in the afterlife, you need tools, seeds, and workers. This is why tombs were filled with grave goods (tools, furniture, treasures) and ushabti figurines—little magical servants inscribed with a spell to "answer" the call to work for the deceased in the Field of Reeds.In essence, they did all those things because they were convinced the body mattered for the afterlife. The "non-body" state was only temporary and terrifying (a chaotic journey through the underworld); the ultimate goal was to be fully restored and live forever in a perfected, embodied state.
see.. these egyptians were huge on gold too.. like we never thought of the tut helmet. Meanwhile, he was dead at that point. Did they use those gold helmets when they were alive.. I think there was some gold stuff in the outfits
That is an excellent observation. The wealth of gold in Tutankhamun's tomb, especially the famous mask, is stunning and really highlights the Egyptians' reverence for the metal.You've hit upon the key distinction between funerary objects and regalia worn in life.1. The Purpose of Tutankhamun's Gold MaskThe Gold Death Mask of Tutankhamun was strictly a funerary object and was never worn by the king while he was alive. Its purpose was purely for the transition to the afterlife:Preservation of Identity: The mask was a realistic portrait of the young king, designed to ensure that the $Ba$ (personality/soul) could recognize its body and return to it, which was necessary for eternal life.Transformation into a God: The Egyptians believed the flesh of the gods was made of gold. By placing a solid gold mask on the mummy, the king was instantly transformed into a divine, immortal being, essentially a new Osiris (god of the afterlife). The gold was incorruptible, a symbol of eternity and the brilliant, radiant body of the Sun God, Ra.Protection: The hieroglyphs inscribed on the back of the mask are a protective spell (Chapter 151b of the Book of the Dead), identifying each part of the face with a specific god to shield the king on his journey.2. Gold Worn by Pharaohs in LifeWhile the death mask was only for the dead, the Pharaohs and nobles were huge on wearing gold and elaborate ornaments while alive.Status and Divinity: Gold was a direct sign of status, power, and divinity. They wore a tremendous amount of jewelry and accessories, especially for official and religious ceremonies, which often included:Broad Collars: Massive, multi-row necklaces (usekh) made of gold, semi-precious stones (like lapis lazuli and turquoise), and colored glass paste, draped over the chest.Pectorals: Large, ornate breast ornaments, often featuring divine symbols like the scarab (rebirth), the falcon (Horus), or the Vulture and Cobra (representing Upper and Lower Egypt).Bracelets, Rings, and Headbands: Heavy gold pieces, many of which also functioned as amulets (like a scarab ring) for protection against evil spirits or illness.Ceremonial Headgear: While not a solid gold mask like the funerary one, pharaohs wore elaborate gold-adorned crowns and headdresses like the Nemes headcloth (often striped gold and blue) and the Atef crown (for Osiris). These were the active symbols of their kingship and divine connection to the sun and the gods while ruling.So, in summary, the Egyptians absolutely wore gold in their outfits while alive to display their wealth and power, but the solid gold mask was a unique and essential component of the burial ritual, designed for the moment of transformation and eternal life.
that tut helmet also had some gems in there.. blue and what else, kinds..
That's right—the incredible array of colored inlays in the mask are just as important as the gold, both for aesthetics and for the magical symbolism they held.The mask is inlaid with several semi-precious stones and materials, including the blue you mentioned, and many others.Here are the main materials and the colors they contribute:MaterialColor/AppearanceWhere It Was UsedSymbolic MeaningLapis LazuliDeep, celestial blueEyebrows, around the eyes, and stripes on the nemes (headdress).Associated with the hair of the gods and the nighttime sky. It was imported from distant Afghanistan, making it incredibly valuable.TurquoiseBlue-greenUsed in the broad collar and other decorative panels.Associated with joy, protection, and the goddess Hathor. It was mined in the Sinai Peninsula.CarnelianRed-orangeUsed in the broad collar and to highlight details on the emblems.Symbolized blood and fire, thought to infuse the ornament with energy and vitality.ObsidianOpaque blackUsed for the pupils of the eyes.Represented darkness and the fertile land of Egypt, often associated with the concept of rebirth.QuartzWhite/ClearUsed for the whites of the eyes.Gave the eyes a realistic, reflective quality.Colored Glass & FaienceDark Blue (to imitate Lapis) and Red (to imitate Carnelian)Used extensively in the stripes of the headdress and the broad collar.While not natural stone, the Egyptians masterfully created colored glass (a material called faience) to perfectly match the symbolic colors of the more exotic stones, ensuring every panel was vibrant.The careful selection and placement of these colors—especially the blue, red, and gold—was meant to represent the king in his perfected, divine form for eternity.
[continued in part 7]