The weighing of the heart

The weighing of the heart

After becoming aware and revitalising vital functions (movement, speech, hearing and sight) the invisible spirit left the tomb and faced the weighing of the soul. This mythological scene took place in front of the throne of Osiris, the god of the underworld, and his forty-two judges.

The heart of the deceased was placed on the scales of Ma’at, the goddess of truth. Sitting in his throne in a white gown Osiris observed the ritual holding the royal symbols of a crook and a flail in his hands and wearing a white crown – hedjet – on his head. The deceased was then brought in by one of the gods – an ibis-headed Tot or a jackalheaded Anubis.