Ancient Egypt: Funerary Mask
Paola Molina
Professor Gurnee
Humanities 101
22 April 2014 Funerary Mask
Egyptians in ancient times believed in life after death, and their death culture was a rather a complex process. For ancient Egyptians death was a right of passage, a journey to be endured on the way to after life, which they believed to be more or less like one’s earthly existence only better. Death was unpleasant but necessary cycle. After death, the dead’s body would have to roam the duat, the underworld and search for the house of judgment. After being judge by several judges they would decide their fate. If their judgment was successful they would the dead would enjoy immorality. Egyptian embalming was also part of the death ritual all the bodies’ vital organs were removed, and all this was necessary for the soul to be able to recognize the body so it can safely return to it. For this reason funerary masks were placed on the mummies face before burial so that the diseased would recognize while it was wrapped in yard of linen. …show more content…
The article “History of Mask” states, “ They were made in the likeness of animal heads, heads of gods of ancient Egypt. Priest would wear a mask on his head and it would cover his shoulders. Head of the mask was also taller than a priest’s head so he was constrained to look through two small holes on the neck of the mask. Other gods and goddesses also had their masks…priest who wore a mask of a god during a ceremony would become an avatar of god, an embodiment of god himself. Priest would speak his words and convey his will.” Priest, to represent gods, and animals, first wore Egyptian mask. Later they became part of their death culture, and made for the dead for their journey to the afterlife. The masks were placed on the dead bodies when buried, and played a huge role for the bodies’ soul to recognize its body and continue immortal
Professor Gurnee
Humanities 101
22 April 2014 Funerary Mask
Egyptians in ancient times believed in life after death, and their death culture was a rather a complex process. For ancient Egyptians death was a right of passage, a journey to be endured on the way to after life, which they believed to be more or less like one’s earthly existence only better. Death was unpleasant but necessary cycle. After death, the dead’s body would have to roam the duat, the underworld and search for the house of judgment. After being judge by several judges they would decide their fate. If their judgment was successful they would the dead would enjoy immorality. Egyptian embalming was also part of the death ritual all the bodies’ vital organs were removed, and all this was necessary for the soul to be able to recognize the body so it can safely return to it. For this reason funerary masks were placed on the mummies face before burial so that the diseased would recognize while it was wrapped in yard of linen. …show more content…
The article “History of Mask” states, “ They were made in the likeness of animal heads, heads of gods of ancient Egypt. Priest would wear a mask on his head and it would cover his shoulders. Head of the mask was also taller than a priest’s head so he was constrained to look through two small holes on the neck of the mask. Other gods and goddesses also had their masks…priest who wore a mask of a god during a ceremony would become an avatar of god, an embodiment of god himself. Priest would speak his words and convey his will.” Priest, to represent gods, and animals, first wore Egyptian mask. Later they became part of their death culture, and made for the dead for their journey to the afterlife. The masks were placed on the dead bodies when buried, and played a huge role for the bodies’ soul to recognize its body and continue immortal