Heart

Definition

In ancient Egyptian medicine, the heart was considered the center of intelligence, emotion, and morality, often referred to as the 'ib'. It was believed to be the seat of the soul and a critical organ in the afterlife, where it was weighed against the feather of Ma'at to determine the worthiness of a person's soul.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The heart was thought to contain a person's thoughts and feelings, contrasting with modern views that see it mainly as a physical organ for circulation.
2. During mummification, the heart was usually left inside the body because it was crucial for the journey into the afterlife.
3. The weighing of the heart ceremony involved Anubis, the god of embalming, who weighed the heart against Ma'at's feather to assess a person's moral character.
4. If a person's heart was found heavier than the feather, it would be devoured by Ammit, leading to eternal damnation.
5. The heart's significance is reflected in ancient texts and artifacts, highlighting its vital role in both life and death according to ancient Egyptian beliefs.

Review Questions

• How did ancient Egyptians perceive the role of the heart in relation to intelligence and morality?
  • Ancient Egyptians viewed the heart as more than just a physical organ; it was seen as the center of intelligence and morality. This belief was rooted in their understanding that emotions and thoughts resided in the heart, influencing behavior and ethical decisions. Therefore, during judgment in the afterlife, an individual's heart was crucial in determining their character and fate.
• Discuss the significance of the heart in ancient Egyptian funerary practices and its role in the afterlife judgment process.
  • In ancient Egyptian funerary practices, the heart played a pivotal role as it was believed to be essential for an individual's journey into the afterlife. Unlike other internal organs, which were removed and placed in Canopic Jars, the heart remained in the body during mummification. During judgment, it was weighed against Ma'at's feather by Anubis. A balanced scale indicated a life lived in accordance with truth and justice, while an unbalanced scale resulted in dire consequences.
• Evaluate how beliefs about the heart influenced ancient Egyptian medicine and cultural practices surrounding death.
  • Beliefs about the heart significantly shaped ancient Egyptian medicine and cultural practices related to death. The understanding that the heart housed intelligence and emotion influenced medical approaches that focused on maintaining its health. Additionally, these beliefs informed burial customs; hearts were often adorned with protective amulets like Heart Scarabs to ensure safe passage through judgment. Such practices demonstrate how intertwined medical beliefs were with spiritual views on life, morality, and death within ancient Egyptian society.

Related terms

Ma'at: The ancient Egyptian concept of truth, balance, and cosmic order, personified as a goddess who weighed the hearts of the deceased against her feather.

Canopic Jars: Containers used in ancient Egyptian burial practices to hold the internal organs of the deceased, except for the heart, which was believed to be essential for the afterlife.

Heart Scarab: A funerary amulet placed over the heart of the deceased to protect it and ensure that it would not bear false witness during judgment in the afterlife.