The primary source above shows that not all deities looked human. It also shows just from the simple concept of that they were painted at all, shows that deities were well-respected and important to ancient Egyptian religion.
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Ancient Egypt, ---- B.C.E
Today, Emily gave me three questions on belief and religion for me to answer: How did Religion influence every aspect of Egyptian life? What are 3-5 characteristics of the ancient Egyptian religion? And, why and how were the pyramids built, and how does it connect to the Egyptian religion or belief system? I will try to answer them the best I can throughout my time in ancient Egypt and add additional information as I find out more on belief and religion. -Mia Ancient Egypt, ---- B.C.E (How did religion influence every aspect of Egyptian life) For weeks I was journeying through ancient Egypt in search of answers for the questions Emily gave me. Sure enough I found out that religion influenced death as well as life. People in ancient Egypt believe that people posses a ka, which is a life-force, and that when a person dies, the ka escapes the body. Since people survive on food and drink, ancient Egyptians believe that if ka still receives food and drink, the ka will survive. Ancient Egyptians also believe in the ba, which is a set of characteristics that are unique to one person. The ba is naturally attached to the Egyptian's body, even when the person dies, so others perform special funeral rituals that detach the ba from the body so the ka can be with the ba and the person can survive in the afterlife with the gods. |
Ancient Egypt, ---- B.C.E (What are 3-5 characteristics of ancient Egyptian religion)
One characteristic of ancient Egyptian religion is that the Egyptians believe in deities. Deities are sacred supernatural beings. A male deity is called a god, and a female is called a goddess. They can take sundry forms, but are often described as human. In ancient Egyptian religion, the deities have control over nature, that is also true with most other deities in other religions. the pharaoh is said to be the representative of the deities. There are over 1,500 deities whose names we know today. A few of those deities are: Aker- god of the earth and the horizon, Ammit- the goddess who devoured condemned souls, and Bat the cow goddess.
Another characteristic of the ancient Egyptian religion is that Egyptians had oracles to communicate with the deities. Mostly, oracles existed from the New Kingdom and after the New Kingdom even though they probably did exist much earlier. Oracles are the ancient Egyptians way of asking the deities for help or asking the deities a question. Oracles are said to be a human portal; a way for the deities to speak to ancient Egyptians through another human. Oracles existed in other cultures too, such as: China, Hawaii, and Africa. In the New Kingdom especially, oracles acted like a judge, settling legal arguments, or help royal decisions. Oracles also helped in making decisions such ass who should be appointed to be the new king! An oracle is actually not a prophecy, since prophecies are telling the future and an oracle tells the deities' advice through themselves.
The third characteristic of ancient Egyptian religion is that ancient Egyptians used "magic." The ancient Egyptians called magic Heka. It was said that since Heka is closely associated with writing, that the god Thoth invented Heka. Deities were said to use Heka, even though humans could also use Heka. Rituals were also considered a form of Heka. People in ancient Egypt often used Heka for personal purposes. People used Heka for their jobs too. Egyptians made magical amulets, and charmed scorpions.
One characteristic of ancient Egyptian religion is that the Egyptians believe in deities. Deities are sacred supernatural beings. A male deity is called a god, and a female is called a goddess. They can take sundry forms, but are often described as human. In ancient Egyptian religion, the deities have control over nature, that is also true with most other deities in other religions. the pharaoh is said to be the representative of the deities. There are over 1,500 deities whose names we know today. A few of those deities are: Aker- god of the earth and the horizon, Ammit- the goddess who devoured condemned souls, and Bat the cow goddess.
Another characteristic of the ancient Egyptian religion is that Egyptians had oracles to communicate with the deities. Mostly, oracles existed from the New Kingdom and after the New Kingdom even though they probably did exist much earlier. Oracles are the ancient Egyptians way of asking the deities for help or asking the deities a question. Oracles are said to be a human portal; a way for the deities to speak to ancient Egyptians through another human. Oracles existed in other cultures too, such as: China, Hawaii, and Africa. In the New Kingdom especially, oracles acted like a judge, settling legal arguments, or help royal decisions. Oracles also helped in making decisions such ass who should be appointed to be the new king! An oracle is actually not a prophecy, since prophecies are telling the future and an oracle tells the deities' advice through themselves.
The third characteristic of ancient Egyptian religion is that ancient Egyptians used "magic." The ancient Egyptians called magic Heka. It was said that since Heka is closely associated with writing, that the god Thoth invented Heka. Deities were said to use Heka, even though humans could also use Heka. Rituals were also considered a form of Heka. People in ancient Egypt often used Heka for personal purposes. People used Heka for their jobs too. Egyptians made magical amulets, and charmed scorpions.
Ancient Egypt, ---- B.C.E (Why and How were pyramids built, and how does to connect to Egyptian religion)
Pyramids were built from stone and moved with wooden sleds. The pyramids were built as tombs for the pharaoh and his family, though eventually, the pharaoh was buried in The Valley of Kings and the pyramids were no longer built. This relates to ancient Egyptian religion because according to religion, the pyramid is a home for the pharaoh in the afterlife.
Pyramids were built from stone and moved with wooden sleds. The pyramids were built as tombs for the pharaoh and his family, though eventually, the pharaoh was buried in The Valley of Kings and the pyramids were no longer built. This relates to ancient Egyptian religion because according to religion, the pyramid is a home for the pharaoh in the afterlife.