Underworld Deities in Ancient Egyptian Religion and Mythology
In ancient Egyptian religion and mythology, the underworld, commonly referred to as the Duat or Amenti, was a complex realm of the dead. It was intricately described with regions of...
These questions and answers offer insights into Ammit’s influential role in the ancient Egyptian pantheon, highlighting her contributions during the “Weighing of the Heart” ceremony, a key component of the afterlife judgment in the Hall of Maat:
Ammit (Ahemait or Ammut) was depicted as a composite creature with the head of a crocodile, the torso of a lioness, and the hindquarters of a hippopotamus. These animals were all considered dangerous and were symbols of the forces of chaos in ancient Egyptian belief.
Ammit was often termed “Ammit the Devourer” by the ancient Egyptians. She was also known as “eater of hearts” and “great of death”. Those names were in reference to her role as an underworld deity.
Ammit played a crucial role in the “Weighing of the Heart” ceremony in the Hall of Maat. Here, she awaited the outcome to devour the hearts deemed unworthy of the afterlife.
The heart of the deceased was weighed against the feather of Maat, symbolizing truth and order. If heavier due to sins, Ammit would consume it.
They would not progress to the paradisiacal Field of Reeds. Instead, they faced a “second death,” an eternal cessation of their soul’s existence.
No, while her role in the afterlife was significant, Ammit was not worshipped or revered in the same way as primary deities like Osiris or Ra.
Not exactly. While feared, Ammit served a purpose in maintaining Maat (order) by punishing those who lived in Isfet (chaos). She was a neutral enforcer of cosmic balance.
The animals chosen—crocodile, lioness, and hippopotamus—were among the most formidable known to ancient Egyptians. Their combination symbolized her power and the chaotic forces she embodied.
While specific rituals targeting Ammit are not well-documented, the emphasis was on living righteously. Protective spells in funerary texts like the Book of the Dead also aimed to safeguard the deceased in the afterlife.
Ammit is frequently found in funerary texts and tomb illustrations. Her image in the “Weighing of the Heart” scene is especially prevalent in the Book of the Dead.
In ancient Egyptian religion and mythology, the underworld, commonly referred to as the Duat or Amenti, was a complex realm of the dead. It was intricately described with regions of...
With the head of a crocodile, the torso of a lioness or leopard, and the lower body and hind legs of a hippopotamus, Ammit was indeed one of the fiercest...