In the intricate and sacred process of ancient Egyptian mummification, the heart scarab held profound significance, bridging the physical and spiritual realms.
The Egyptians believed that preserving the body after death was essential for the soul’s journey into the afterlife, and the heart, considered the seat of intellect, emotion, and morality, played a central role in this transition.
The heart scarab, typically a carved stone amulet shaped like a dung beetle (symbolizing rebirth and renewal), was placed over the heart of the deceased during the embalming process. This occurred after the body was ritually cleansed, its organs removed—except for the heart—and the body dried with natron. The scarab was often inscribed with a spell from the Book of the Dead, most commonly Spell 30B, which implored the heart not to betray its owner during the Weighing of the Heart ceremony. In this pivotal afterlife judgment, the heart was weighed against the feather of Ma’at, the goddess of truth and justice, to determine the soul’s worthiness for eternal life.
By including the heart scarab, embalmers ensured the deceased had a safeguard against potential condemnation. The amulet’s presence was both a practical and spiritual tool, reflecting the Egyptians’ meticulous preparation for the afterlife. Thus, the heart scarab was not merely an ornament but a vital element in the mummification process, embodying the culture’s deep reverence for the heart as the essence of a person’s being.
“It says: – My ib-heart of my mother, my haty-heart of mytransformation.
Come out to the Beautiful Place.
It shall be examined on the scales and he shall be found right in the Hall of the Double Justice, the God’s Father, Master of Secrets, Priest in the Mansion of the Jujubed, Second Prophet Shedsubastete, justified, son of Maat-Bastetf”.
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