Book of the Dead
Pharaoh's funeral text
Book of the Dead refers to ancient Egyptian funerary texts—collections of spells, prayers, and instructions placed in tombs to guide the deceased through the afterlife.
The texts describe the soul's journey, including judgment before Osiris.
More loosely, book of the dead can describe any text dealing with death rituals or the afterlife: The Tibetan Book of the Dead.
Ancient plant-derived writing material
- AnubisEgyptian mortuary deity
- OsirisEgyptian afterlife deity
- sarcophagusCarved stone burial container
- mummificationPreserving bodies after death
pharaoh · pyramid · Isis · Horus · Ra · canopic jars · embalming · hieroglyphics
Existence beyond mortality
- burialPlacing deceased underground
- tombUnderground chamber for remains
- coffinBurial container for remains
- shroudBurial cloth or covering
mourning · deceased · underworld · judgment · soul · spirit · resurrection · eternal life
Ancient plant-derived writing material
- scrollWound document of parchment
- scribeManual document copier
- hieraticRelating to priests
- vignetteBrief evocative description
illustration · colophon · ink · calligraphy · text · copy · commission · personalization
Spoken magical formula
- utteranceSpoken expression aloud
- formulaFixed method or notation
- invocationCalling upon higher authority
- protectionGuarding against harm
transformation · passage · gate · demon · guardian · amulet · recitation · charm
State between death, rebirth
- liberationRelease from constraint
- consciousnessState of sentient awareness
- rebirthSpiritual or physical regeneration
- lamaAndean beast of burden
reading aloud · dying · clear light · karma · samsara · nirvana · Tibetan Buddhism · mandala
papyrus
Ancient plant-derived writing material
- AnubisEgyptian mortuary deity
- OsirisEgyptian afterlife deity
- sarcophagusCarved stone burial container
mummification · pharaoh · pyramid · Isis · Horus · Ra · canopic jars · embalming · hieroglyphics · Tutankhamun
afterlife
Existence beyond mortality
- burialPlacing deceased underground
- tombUnderground chamber for remains
- coffinBurial container for remains
shroud · mourning · deceased · underworld · judgment · soul · spirit · resurrection · eternal life · grave goods
papyrus
Ancient plant-derived writing material
vignette · illustration · colophon · ink · calligraphy · text · copy · commission · personalization · burial goods
incantation
Spoken magical formula
- utteranceSpoken expression aloud
- formulaFixed method or notation
- invocationCalling upon higher authority
protection · transformation · passage · gate · demon · guardian · amulet · recitation · charm · prayer
bardo
State between death, rebirth
- liberationRelease from constraint
- consciousnessState of sentient awareness
- rebirthSpiritual or physical regeneration
lama · reading aloud · dying · clear light · karma · samsara · nirvana · Tibetan Buddhism · mandala · transference