The Coffin Texts (2134-2040 BCE) were ancient Egyptian spells and maps guiding souls safely through the afterlife. Marking a shift from royal exclusivity, they allowed common people access to paradise, emphasizing Osiris as the key figure in navigating the dangers of the underworld. Influenced by the earlier Pyramid Texts, they laid the foundation for the Egyptian Book of the Dead.
The Coffin Texts are divine words that hold the power to shift the Destiny of every soul who wishes to reach the final edge of the afterlife and enter the field of Reed. The Coffin Texts hold historical significance as a significant source of ancient Egyptian literature as they reflect the cultural and religious changes between the Old Kingdom (2613-2181 BCE) and the First Intermediate Period in Egypt, shedding light on the evolution of the people's religious beliefs.
The coffin texts had a deep impact on even the common life as it was preserved as the magical force to bring everyday desires to life. It was one of the main pillars of ancient Egyptian religion and the guidebook of funerary spells that would provide a path to prosperity in the hereafter. They acted as maps across the culture that provided meaning and the means for the deceased to navigate and travel safely across the dangerous and mysterious pathways to the Ancient Egyptian afterlife.
The magnificent Coffin Texts date all the way to around 2134-2040 BCE which is known to consist of 1,185 religious spells and writings which have been seen inscribed on Middle Kingdom coffins. They were also found written on tomb walls, papyri, canopic chests, stelae, and ancient Egyptian mummy masks. Their main purpose was to assist the deceased in navigating across the afterlife.
Among these marvelous texts is the Book of Two Ways which is known to be the earliest example of cosmography in ancient Egypt, It provides maps across the many roads of the afterlife and guidance on how to safely reach the gates of paradise which was painted on coffin floors. These coffin texts are the earliest known maps in any known culture in history which was at the time known as the Book of Two Ways and served as a highly popular illustrated guide to the afterlife which worked in sequence with the texts written inside the coffin.
These phenomenal coffin texts were entirely influenced by earlier Pyramid Texts (2400-2300 BCE) and later inspired by the legendary Egyptian Book of the Dead (1550-1070 BCE). They were primarily composed during the First Intermediate Period of Egypt (2181-2040 BCE), although their origins can be traced back to the end of the Old Kingdom and extended into the early Middle Kingdom (2040-1782 BCE). During the New Kingdom (1570-1069 BCE), they were replaced by the Book of the Dead, which was sometimes placed among a person's burial possessions.
Discover more marvelous facts about the rituals, beliefs, and customs of the religion of the ancient Egyptians.
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The Coffin Texts were made to provide a new understanding of the afterlife and the place of the common people in it which were comprised of rituals, hymns, prayers, and magic spells, evolved from the earlier Pyramid Texts found in the pyramids of the Old Kingdom. While the Pyramid Texts were exclusively for the king and his royal family, the Coffin Texts were accessible to all people from all walks of life like the nobility, high-ranking officials, and ordinary people who could afford to copy them. This democratized access to the afterlife through a number of different spells.
The Old Kingdom of Egypt gained the title the 'Age of the Pyramid Builders,' which was characterized by the construction of magnificent pyramids of giza by kings like Sneferu, Khufu, Khafre, and Menkaure. maintaining these monuments was costly, and the rulers had to provide for priests who conducted rituals and owned significant land, exempt from taxes. Eventually, the decentralization of government power led to the collapse of the Old Kingdom, marking the First Intermediate Period.
During this time, the central government's authority waned as regional nomarchs gained more power. This shift allowed for greater freedom in ancient Egyptian architecture, ancient Egyptian art, crafts, and overall creativity, resulting in a democratization of goods and services. Luxury items that were once exclusive to the king became accessible to nobility, officials, bureaucrats, and common people who could afford them of course. Mass production of art and inscriptions led to the creation of the Coffin Texts, which allowed more common individuals can enjoy the benefits of the afterlife, marking a significant departure from the Old Kingdom's rigid centralized control that was based on socioeconomical and royal hierarchy.
The great Coffin Texts are highly different from the Pyramid Texts which were mainly focused on the celestial heavens, while the coffin texts are focused on the subterranean aspects of the afterlife which is ruled by Osiris the ruler of the afterlife in the Duat. In Egyptian Mythology, This realm is known as being filled with traps, dangers, and snares, which the deceased must have entirely navigated. The spells found in the Coffin Texts serve to protect the deceased and prevent a "second death."
The coffin texts unlike the pyramid texts mentioned that all individuals will be totally judged by Osiris and his 44 judges in his council based on their actions in life. This judgment often involves the use of a balance that comes in the shape of a scale that holds the heart and feather of Maat against each other which is a pivotal moment later seen in the Book of the Dead.
The texts also address a number of common fears, such as the prospect of manual labor in the afterlife, and provide spells to help the deceased avoid such terrible and harmful tasks. The Coffin Texts combine rituals for expressions of hope for a blessed afterlife, protection, and descriptions of the transmigrations and transformations of the ba and akh. They also provide insights into the landscape and inhabitants of the land of the dead, including the paths of Rostau, the Sekhet Hotep (Field of offerings or peace), and the adobe of Osiris.
The democratization of the afterlife in ancient Egypt was largely influenced by the popularity of the Osiris myth who was the first-born of the gods who ruled Egypt with his sister-wife Isis until he was murdered by his jealous brother Set. Isis managed to bring Osiris back to life, but he ruled in the underworld as the Lord and Judge of the Dead. During the First Intermediate Period, the cult of Osiris gained immense popularity as he was viewed as the primary figure among the deceased, offering eternal life to believers.
The legendary myth of his resurrection involved the involvement of Isis and her sister Nephthys, who chanted magical incantations. This part of the myth was re-enacted during Osiris festivals and funerals through The Lamentations of Isis and Nephthys, a call-and-response performance by two women portraying the deities to summon Osiris. Attending this festival allowed participants to spiritually partake in Osiris's rebirth.
With time, the cult of Osiris evolved into the cult of Isis during the New Kingdom which emphasizes her role in Osiris's resurrection. The Egyptian Book of the Dead eventually replaced the Coffin Texts as the guide to the afterlife. While spells were still inscribed on tombs and coffins, the Egyptian Book of the Dead became the primary means to direct the soul to paradise throughout Egypt's history.
The Coffin Texts mentioned several Egyptian gods and goddesses, which included Amun-Ra, Shu, Tefnut, and Thoth, but consistently mentioned the Osiris Myth. In the texts, there is a Spell numbered 74 and titled "A Spell for the Revival of Osiris," which retells the part of the Osiris story where Isis and her sister Nephthys bring Osiris back to life with the help of Heka. These marvelous spells spoke about the rise of Osiris but also applied equally to the souls of the deceased. Just as the future ruler of the underworld Osiris was resurrected through the sisters' incantations, so too would the soul awaken after death, hopefully achieving justification and gaining entry into paradise.
Spell 330 states that the soul's connection to Osiris was integral, as Osiris played a role in the soul's earthly quest, infusing it with life and being present in various aspects of daily life. Empowered by Osiris, the soul embarked on its journey through the afterlife. To aid this journey, the Book of Two Ways provided maps, canals, rivers, and guidance to navigate the perilous path, avoiding hazards like the Lake of Fire. The Coffin Texts provided the soul with the means to safely reach its destination, emphasizing that useful knowledge of powerful spells and possession of the map allowed the deceased to overcome underworld dangers and attain eternal life.
Spell 404 states that the soul was meant to lead a very virtuous life, free of sin, and be deemed justified by Osiris. The text assumes the soul's worthiness and its ability to recognize both friendly entities and potential threats along the journey. The spell describes the soul encountering sisterly companions at a doorway who must be recognized; failure to do so could result in punishments, indicating the importance of being justified and prepared to navigate the afterlife's challenges.
With the democratization of the concept of the afterlife in ancient Egypt, the materials used for funerary purposes expanded, During the Old Kingdom, large Egyptian sarcophagi were expected as they had enough space to paint on the texts, but in the First Intermediate Period, simpler Egyptian coffins gained popularity, varying in complexity based on the deceased's wealth and status. Scribes painted these coffins with texts and illustrations depicting the person's life on Earth.
The Pyramid Texts served to remind the deceased king of his identity and achievements, and also the Coffin Texts adhered to this system. When the soul awoke in the tomb, it could recognize itself through these images and accompanying texts which also offered them divine protection and maps that would help them cross all the dangers of the afterlife.
These coffins in different time periods were crafted from materials like cartonnage, wood, stone, pottery, silver, and ancient Egyptian gold plus all were written on by skilled craftsmen. The coffin's surface was covered with meaningful texts that varied from one person to another which included illustrations of the person's life, offerings, descriptions of needed objects in the afterlife, and instructions for the soul's journey.
Ancient Egyptian colors also played a role, Black ink was used for writing, with red ink was used for describing demonic forces. It described passing through the mysterious region of Rosetau, where Osiris' body lay surrounded by walls of flame. If deemed worthy, the deceased could attain a new life in paradise, possibly through redemption by passing through the fire around Osiris' body.
Explore the meaningful art that reveals a great deal about the myth of the ancient Egyptians.
Read MoreThe ethereal Coffin Texts was a magical step leading to perfection and the creation of the Book of the Dead. They were at some point in the historical fabric of Egypt, the core of the ancient Egyptian funerary works. It navigated the awakened soul across dangerous roads of the afterlife where Osiris will usher a new passage leading to a new life and a new destiny based on the actions of the deceased.
These texts are able to reveal many valuable facts and very interesting tales about the mythical beliefs and funerary culture of the ancient Egyptians that inspired the creation of some of the greatest works of art in existence. Explore the mystery and magical culture that ancient Egypt has to offer and enjoy one of our epic Egypt Tours from USA and an epic Nile River Cruise.
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The entire country of Egypt deserve to be explored with its every heavenly detail but there are places that must be seen before any other such as the breathtaking Hurghada's red sea, The wonders of Cairo the pyramids of Giza, the great sphinx, the Egyptian Museum, Khan El Khalili Bazaar, the wonders of Luxor like Valley of the Kings, Karnak & Hatshepsut temple and the wonders of Aswan such as Abu Simbel temples, Philea temple, Unfinished obelisk and The Wonders of Alexandria like Qaitbat Citadel, Pompey's Pillar and Alexandria Library. Read more about the best places to visit in Egypt.
If you want to apply for a Visa On Arrival that lasts for 30 days then you should be one of the eligible countries, have a valid passport with at least 6 months remaining and pay 25$ USD in cash, as for the E-Visa for 30 day you should have a valid passport for at least 8 months, complete the online application, pay the e-visa fee then print the e-visa to later be presented to the airport border guard. You could also be one of the lucky ones who can obtain a free visa for 90 days. Read more about Egypt travel visa.
Egypt has a variety of delicious cuisines but we recommend “Ful & Ta’meya (Fava Beans and Falafel)”, Mulukhiya, “Koshary”, a traditional Egyptian pasta dish, and Kebab & Kofta, the Egyptian traditional meat dish.
The best time to travel to Egypt is during the winter from September to April as the climate becomes a little tropical accompanied by a magical atmosphere of warm weather with a winter breeze. You will be notified in the week of your trip if the Climate is unsafe and if any changes have been made.
You should pack everything you could ever need in a small bag so you could move easily between your destinations.
We have been creating the finest vacations for more than 20 years around the most majestic destinations in Egypt. Our staff consists of the best operators, guides and drivers who dedicate all of their time & effort to make you have the perfect vacation. All of our tours are customized by Travel, Financial & Time consultants to fit your every possible need during your vacation. It doesn't go without saying that your safety and comfort are our main priority and all of our resources will be directed to provide the finest atmosphere until you return home.
You will feel safe in Egypt as the current atmosphere of the country is quite peaceful after the government took powerful measures like restructuring the entire tourist police to include all the important and tourist attractions in Egypt. Read more about is it safe to travel to Egypt.
Wear whatever feels right and comfortable. It is advised to wear something light and comfortable footwear like a closed-toe shoe to sustain the terrain of Egypt. Put on sun block during your time in Egypt in the summer to protect yourself from the sun.
The best activity is by far boarding a Nile Cruise between Luxor and Aswan or Vise Versa. Witness the beauty of Egypt from a hot balloon or a plane and try all the delicious Egyptian cuisines and drinks plus shopping in old Cairo. Explore the allure and wonders of the red sea in the magical city resorts of Egypt like Hurghada and many more by diving and snorkeling in the marine life or Hurghada. Behold the mesmerizing western desert by a safari trip under the heavenly Egyptian skies.
There are a lot of public holidays in Egypt too many to count either religious or nation, the most important festivals are the holy month of Ramadan which ends with Eid Al Fitr, Christmas and new years eve. Read more about festivals & publich holidays in Egypt.
Egypt is considered to be one of the most liberal Islamic countries but it has become a little bit conservative in the last couple of decades so it is advised to avoid showing your chest, shoulders or legs below the knees.
Arabic is the official language and Most Egyptians, who live in the cities, speak or understand English or at least some English words or phrases. Fewer Egyptians can speak French, Italian, Spanish, and German. Professional tour guides, who work in the tourism sector, are equipped to handle visitors who cannot speak Arabic and they will speak enough English and other languages to fulfill the needs of all our clients.
The fastest way is a car, of course, a taxi. If you are in Cairo ride a white taxi to move faster or you could board the fastest way of transportation in Egypt metro if the roads are in rush hour.
The temperature in Egypt ranges from 37c to 14 c. Summer in Egypt is somehow hot but sometimes it becomes cold at night and winter is cool and mild. The average of low temperatures vary from 9.5 °C in the wintertime to 23 °C in the summertime and the average high temperatures vary from 17 °C in the wintertime to 32 °C in the summertime. The temperature is moderate all along the coasts.
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