The Egyptians were noted for practicing unusual and elaborate burial rituals. As a way to perform these rituals the Egyptians had specific equipment such as Canopic jars. These jars were actually used while the process of mummification was going on. They served as the storage containers for conserving the "viscera" for life after death.
These Canopic jars were used since the time of origin of the ancient Kingdom of Egypt until the Egyptian era came to an end. All through this period, the Canopic jars were used differently. Canopic jars of different looks were utilized by the Egyptians to store each of the organs. Distinct Canopic jars were dedicated divinely and were used for each organ removed from the body.
It is a common opinion among the people that Canopic jars are related to the Greek legendary tales belonging to Canopus. But Egyptian historians have made it clear that they are two completely distinct ideologies not related in any way.
Being a traditional custom, four unique Canopic jars were allotted to the deceased. A jar was allotted to an organ based on specifications. The primary organs namely, the intestines, the stomach, the liver and the lungs were kept in the jars. Through the centuries, these Canopic jars underwent considerable alterations to create a variety of such jars.
In the days of the old Kingdom the jars were relatively simpler and had plain lids. However by the time of the first intermediate period the Canopic jars were now being created with human heads. The purpose of utilizing human heads was to resemble and represent the dead.
Human head designed Canopic jars were prevalent till the arrival of the new Egyptian Kingdom. With the close of the eighteenth century, the symbol of human heads was no more in use. Instead, the four sons of Horus were symbolized on the lids.
The Egyptian people observed the four sons of Hours in a symbolic manner as 'the gods of cardinal compass points'. Every son was divinely appointed to safeguard one of the four main organs taken from the body. In case of dangerous attacks from the outside world, the four sons were to defend one another.
Of the four sons of Horus symbolized on the Canopic jars, the Damutef was a jackal-headed deity appointed to protect the stomach. He was also symbolic of the East; he was to be protected by goddess Neith, another deity. Secondly, Qebehsenuef was a falcon-headed deity appointed to safeguard the intestines. This deity was protected by Selket.
The third jar that contained the lungs had the Egyptian deity Hapi as its representative. Hapi was also taken as the representative of North and was given protection by Nephthys. The fourth son of Horus was Imseti who represented the North and protected the liver while himself being guarded by the Egyptian goddess Isis.
These Canopic jars were used since the time of origin of the ancient Kingdom of Egypt until the Egyptian era came to an end. All through this period, the Canopic jars were used differently. Canopic jars of different looks were utilized by the Egyptians to store each of the organs. Distinct Canopic jars were dedicated divinely and were used for each organ removed from the body.
It is a common opinion among the people that Canopic jars are related to the Greek legendary tales belonging to Canopus. But Egyptian historians have made it clear that they are two completely distinct ideologies not related in any way.
Being a traditional custom, four unique Canopic jars were allotted to the deceased. A jar was allotted to an organ based on specifications. The primary organs namely, the intestines, the stomach, the liver and the lungs were kept in the jars. Through the centuries, these Canopic jars underwent considerable alterations to create a variety of such jars.
In the days of the old Kingdom the jars were relatively simpler and had plain lids. However by the time of the first intermediate period the Canopic jars were now being created with human heads. The purpose of utilizing human heads was to resemble and represent the dead.
Human head designed Canopic jars were prevalent till the arrival of the new Egyptian Kingdom. With the close of the eighteenth century, the symbol of human heads was no more in use. Instead, the four sons of Horus were symbolized on the lids.
The Egyptian people observed the four sons of Hours in a symbolic manner as 'the gods of cardinal compass points'. Every son was divinely appointed to safeguard one of the four main organs taken from the body. In case of dangerous attacks from the outside world, the four sons were to defend one another.
Of the four sons of Horus symbolized on the Canopic jars, the Damutef was a jackal-headed deity appointed to protect the stomach. He was also symbolic of the East; he was to be protected by goddess Neith, another deity. Secondly, Qebehsenuef was a falcon-headed deity appointed to safeguard the intestines. This deity was protected by Selket.
The third jar that contained the lungs had the Egyptian deity Hapi as its representative. Hapi was also taken as the representative of North and was given protection by Nephthys. The fourth son of Horus was Imseti who represented the North and protected the liver while himself being guarded by the Egyptian goddess Isis.
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