Ancient Egyptian religion have always been inseparable from the mythology and mysticism, characteristic of this part of the globe.It is thanks to the ancient Egyptian myths and legends later emerged paganism in Russia.Also echoes of this culture can be seen in modern Judaism, Islam and Christianity.Many images and legends spread around the globe and eventually became part of the modern world.The assumptions and hypotheses regarding the Egyptian culture and religion, is still plagued scientists in the world, desperately trying to unravel the secrets of this amazing country.
Main directions
Religion of Ancient Egypt is diverse.It combines several areas such as:
- Fetishism .It is a worship of inanimate objects or materials that are attributed mystical properties.It may be charms, pictures or other things.
- Monotheism .Based on the belief in one god, but admits the existence of other supernatural forms or more divine faces, which are a way of the same character.Such a God can be in different guises, but its essence remains the same.
- Polytheism .Belief system that is based on polytheism.In polytheism, there are whole pantheon of divine beings, each of whom is responsible for a theme.
- Totemism .Very common for ancient Egypt.The essence of this trend is the worship of totems.Most often it is the animals who presented gifts to appease the gods through them and ask them a happy life or comfort in another world.
All these areas were formed for more than 3 thousand. Years, and, of course, for so long the religion of ancient Egypt has experienced a lot of changes.For example, some of the gods, who occupied the last place in importance, gradually becoming the main, and vice versa.Some characters are merged and transformed into a completely new elements.A separate part is occupied by legends and beliefs concerning the afterlife.Thanks to this versatility, the various branches and the ever-changing rites in Egypt was not a single state religion.Each group of people to choose a separate line or deity, which later began to worship.Perhaps it is only a belief that does not unite all the inhabitants of the country, and often leads to war due to the fact that the priests of one commune did not share the views of others, worshiping other gods.
Magic in Ancient Egypt
Magic was the basis for all directions and people seemed almost like a religion of ancient Egypt.Briefly difficult to present all the mystical beliefs of the ancient Egyptians.On the one hand, the magic was a tool and directed against enemies on the other - used for what to protect animals and humans.
Charms
utmost importance was attached to all kinds of amulets, which are endowed with extraordinary power.The Egyptians believed that such things can protect not only a living person, but his soul after the transition into the other world.
There were amulets, which the ancient priests wrote a special magic formula.Especially seriously the rites, during which over amulets cast spells.In the body of the deceased was also taken to put a sheet of papyrus with the words addressed to the gods.Thus, relatives of the deceased asked for the mercy of a higher power and a better fate for the soul of the deceased.
figurines of animals and people
myths and religion of ancient Egypt include stories about all sorts of animal figurines.Thus amulets Egyptians attached great importance, since these things can not just bring good luck, but also help to curse the enemy.For these purposes, sculpted wax figurine of the person need to be punished.In the future, this area was transformed into black magic.In the Christian religion, too, has a similar custom, but, on the contrary, is aimed at healing.To do this, you must sculpt wax sick part of the body and bring the church to the icon of the saint, whose relatives are asking for help.
Along with amulets great importance was attached to all sorts of drawings and spells.Initially, there was a tradition to bring food to the burial room and put it next to the mummy of the deceased to appease the gods.After a while, when the products are spoiled the Egyptians brought fresh offerings, but in the end it came down to the fact that next to the mummified body was placed food and scroll the image with certain spells.It was believed that after reading the cherished words over the dead priest could convey a message to gods and protect the soul of the deceased.
«Word of power»
This spell was considered one of the most powerful.The ancient religion of Egypt gave the utterance of sacred texts of particular importance.Depending on the circumstances of the spell could produce a different effect.To do this it was necessary to give the name of a creature that the priest wanted to encourage.The Egyptians believed that it was the knowledge of this name was the key to everything.Vestiges of these beliefs have survived to this day.
coup Akhenaten
Once Egypt had been expelled the Hyksos (who influenced the ancient religions of Egypt), country experienced a religious upheaval that was the instigator of Akhenaten.It was at this time the Egyptians began to believe in the existence of one God.
chosen by God Aton began, but this belief is not caught on due to its exalted character.Therefore, after the death of Akhenaten there are very few who worship the one God.This short period of monotheism still left its mark on the future directions of the Egyptian religion.
According to one version, the Levite who led Moses was one of those who believe it is in the god Aton.But due to the fact that it has become unpopular in Egypt, the sect has been forced to leave their native land.During his trip the followers of Moses united with the nomadic Jews and put them in their faith.The Ten Commandments, which are known today, are strongly reminiscent of the line of one of the heads of the "Book of the Dead," which is called "The commandment of denial."It lists 42 sin (one for every god who, according to one of the Egyptian religion, it was also 42).Currently, this is only a hypothesis, which allows us to consider in more detail particular religion of ancient Egypt.No reliable evidence exists, but many experts are increasingly inclined to just such a formulation.By the way, the controversy over the fact that Christianity is based on the Egyptian beliefs, has not yet been extinguished.
Egyptian religion in Rome
At a time when the mass spread of Christianity, and Alexander the Great died, the Egyptian religion is fully merged with ancient mythology.At a time when the old gods did not meet all the requirements of the society, there was a cult of Isis, which is spread over the entire territory of the Roman Empire.Along with the new trend began to show great interest to the Egyptian magic, the effect of which had already reached the UK, Germany, and began to spread throughout Europe.It is difficult to say that it was the only religion of ancient Egypt.Briefly, you can submit it in the form of an intermediate stage between paganism and Christianity is gradually emerging.
Egyptian pyramids
These buildings have always been shrouded in hundreds of legends and beliefs.Until now, scientists trying to unravel the mystery of how the pyramids to undergo mummification any organic objects.Even small animals are killed in these buildings, are stored for a very long time without embalming.Some people claim that after spending some time in the ancient pyramids, they have experienced a surge of energy, and even get rid of some chronic diseases.
Culture and religion of ancient Egypt closely associated with these unusual buildings.This is understandable, since the pyramid has always been a symbol of all Egyptians, regardless of what religious direction was chosen one or another group of people.Until now the tourists who come to tour the pyramids, argue that in these places blunt razor blades are sharp, if properly put, focusing on the points of the compass.Moreover, there is an opinion that is not so important, it is the material from which made the pyramid and where it is, it can be done even from the board, and it will still have unusual properties.The main thing - to observe the correct proportions.
Religion and Art of Ancient Egypt Art
countries have always been closely connected with the religious preferences of the Egyptians.Since any image and sculpture were mystical overtones, there were special canons according to which you would like creations.
in honor of the gods were built huge temples, and their images were captured in stone or precious materials.Chorus God depicted as a falcon or a man with a falcon head, symbolizing the wisdom, justice, and writing.Explorer of the dead Anubis painted as a jackal, and the goddess of war Sekhmet always appeared in the likeness of a lioness.
Unlike the oriental cultures ancient Egyptian religion portrayed the gods not as intimidating and punishing the Avengers, but rather as a majestic and vseponimayuschih gods.Pharaohs and the kings were from the rulers of the world and no less revered, so painted them in the form of animals.It was believed that the image of a man - this is his invisible counterpart, called "Ka" and was always represented as a young man, regardless of age of the Egyptian.
Each statue and the picture had to be necessarily signed by their creator.Unsigned creation was considered incomplete.
religion and mythology of ancient Egypt are paying great attention to the bodies of humans and animals.That ever since the matter is a belief that it is the eyes are the mirror of the soul.The Egyptians believed that the dead were completely blind, so the vision was given so much attention.According to the Egyptian myth that the god Osiris treacherously murdered his own brother, his son Heru cut his eye and gave him to swallow his father, after which he was raised.
deified animals
Egypt is a country with a rather poor animal world, however the ancient Egyptians revered nature and flora and fauna.They worshiped the black bull, which was a divine creation - Apis.Therefore, in the temple of the animal has always been a live bull.He is worshiped by the citizens.As he wrote the famous Egyptologist Mikhail Korostovtsev, the religion of ancient Egypt is quite extensive, it sees the symbols of many things.One of these was the cult of the crocodile god Sobek who personified.Just as in the temples of Apis, in places of worship Sobek has always been alive crocodiles, fed only the priests.After the death of their bodies mummified animals (to be treated with the highest respect and reverence).
Also honored were falcons and vultures.For killing these winged could pay with their lives.
special place in the history of religion in Egypt took the cat.The main god Ra was always presented as a huge cat.There was also the goddess Bastet, appeared in the form of a cat.The death of the animal was observed mourning, and four-legged body is attributed to the priests who read them over spells and embalmed it.To kill a cat was considered a great sin, followed by a terrible retribution.In case of fire in the first place from a burning house saved the cat, and then later the family.
examining ancient Egyptian mythology, not to mention the beetle scarab.This amazing insect removes a huge role religion of ancient Egypt.Summary of the most famous myth about it is that this beetle represents life and samovozrozhdenie.
concept of soul in ancient Egypt
Egyptians divided human being into multiple systems.As mentioned earlier, each person there was a particle "Ka", which was his double.The burial chamber of the deceased raised an additional coffin, which was to rest, this is the part.
particle "Ba" is the very soul of man.Initially, it was thought that this component has exclusive Gods.
«Ah" - the spirit, depicted in the form of an ibis, and is a separate part of the soul.
«Shu" - a shadow.The essence of the human soul, which is hidden on the dark side of consciousness.
was also part of the "Sah", which embodied the body of the deceased after mummification.A special place is the heart, because it was the repository of all human consciousness in general.The Egyptians believed that the afterlife during the Domesday person could remain silent about his sins, but his heart is always opened up the most terrible secrets.
Conclusion
List all the ancient religions of Egypt, and a brief description is quite difficult, because for such a long time they have undergone a lot of changes.Definitely we can say one thing for sure: the mysterious Egyptian history contains a large number of the most extraordinary and mystical secrets.Annual excavations presented with incredible surprises and generate more and more questions.To this day, scientists are interested in history and just people find unusual characters and evidence of what this religion was the basis of beliefs that exist today.
