The legs of ancient Egyptian beds were often crafted in the form of animals, such as bulls or lions. These symbolic creatures were believed to serve dual purposes: offering protection to the sleeper and aiding in their journey to the afterlife.
This reflects the Egyptian view of sleep as a temporary death and, conversely, death as a form of temporary sleep from which the deceased would awaken to continue their journey.
This concept is eloquently expressed in Chapter CVIII of the Book of the Dead (The Book of Coming Forth by Day), where the cyclical nature of sleep and death is explored. Such designs demonstrate the profound integration of functionality and symbolism in Egyptian craftsmanship, highlighting how even the most utilitarian objects were imbued with spiritual meaning.
Every Egyptian aspired to be carried as a mummy on the back of the Apis bull to the god of the dead, Osiris. Hieroglyphic inscriptions identify the donor of the stele as Nesamun, a priest of the god Montu in Thebes.
This passage highlights the deep spiritual connection between the physical preservation of the body through mummification and the journey to the afterlife. It underscores the symbolic role of the Apis bull as a sacred intermediary, reflecting the Egyptians' profound beliefs in survival beyond death and their intricate funerary traditions.
Mumien: Überlebenstechniken
Revival
1 Bed of Queen Hetepheres I (reproduction) أما الكراسي والمقاعد ف كان منها البسيط والفخم وكانت أرجلها تخرط على شكل قوائم الثور أو الأسد Totensetle, Wien, KunsthistorischesMuseum
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