Ancient Egyptian Canopic Jars History And Purpose in Mummification
Firstly, The Canopic Jars are containers used by the ancient Egyptians during the mummification process. They believe that this type of container can preserve the organs of the owner for the afterlife. In addition, the Egyptians started to design containers from stones, but later, they developed designs made of Wood. These jars date back to the Old Kingdom, and they were less in use, but in the Middle Kingdom, they became more practical and enhanced. The Canopic Jars were crucial for the ancient Egyptian civilization. Furthermore, Canopic Jars were used in ancient Egyptian funerary rituals.
1. What are Canopic Jars, and what was used in
First and foremost, the term ‘Canopic’ strongly relates to myths and legends, such as the Greek legend of the Canopus. The Canopic Jars are made of terracotta or stone vessels. The Egyptians used them as containers to hold and preserve the organs of the owner during the mummification process for his afterlife journey. Moreover, they came in four jars, each representing one of Horus’s four sons. Each was made for the major organs, such as the Liver, Lungs, Stomach, and intestines. Each jar holds a particular sign represented in the head of the jar; all four have the heads of Horus’s sons.
2. The Design of Canopic Jars
The design is a V-shaped vessel, and the most common materials used to make these jars are Wood and Limestones. Moreover, the old design of the Old Kingdom was made of stones with human heads, but later, these human heads became iconized with the four sons of Horus. In the Middle Kingdom, they replaced the Stones with Wood and chose the four sons of Horus to be the holders of the major organs of the owner, such as the Liver, Lungs, Stomach, and intestines. This predominant style changed and transitioned by the Nineteenth Dynasty and the arrival of the new kingdom. The new material was from higher-quality sets such as Alabaster, aragonite, calcareous stone, and blue or green glazed porcelain. The Canopic Jars went through various changes in design throughout Egyptian history.
Inscriptions and Symbols Used
The ancient Egyptians used several types of symbols to address each jar to do a specific mission when they ever invented the Canopic jars; some of the symbols are:
- Cartouches: circular frames hold the royal names. Cartouches often contained the Pharaohs’s names or throne names, showing power and authority.
- Magical Text: it was so popular among the Egyptians that they could curse you, so they wrote spells and prayers on the Canopic jars to prevent the thieves from stealing whatever they found inside the deceased’s tomb. They also wrote tips to guide the deceased’s journey to the afterlife.
- Deity Figures: They also use some of the images of powerful gods. Such as Anubis, Isis, Nephtys, and Thoth due to their relation with death, rebirth, and magic.
Differences between Jars From Different Periods
The Canopic jars pass in different styles through the ages. These changes were because of changes in beliefs from the Old Kingdom to the Late Period and the Ptolemaic Period. For example, the Old Kingdom tends to use simple forms of jars made from stones. Moreover, the New Kingdom uses more developed designs and colours, adding a more robust look and authority. Complete with facial features, arms, and legs.
3. The Four Sons of Horus
What are the everyday things between the sons of Horus and the Canopic Jars? First and foremost, the four sons of Horus are Imsety, Hapy, Duamutef, and Qebehsenuef. Moreover, each one is believed to have a specific role in protecting the organs. Many of the jars were linked to royalty, like the Queen Hetepheres and Meresankh III.
- Imsety, the human-headed, was responsible for the liver.
- Hapy, the baboon-headed, was responsible for the Lungs.
- Duamutef, the jackal-headed, was responsible for the Stomach.
- Qebehsenuef, the falcon-headed, was responsible for the intestines.
From the Egyptians’ point of view, each of these gods can protect and preserve the organ from damage to help the owner of this organ in his afterlife journey. Each of these jars is buried with their owner in his tomb
4. Mummification Process and Jars
One thing that bears witness to the greatness of the ancient Egyptian civilization is that during the mummification process, the priests carefully extracted the organs from the dead before treating them with natron salt to dry out any remaining moisture. Furthermore, once they extract the internal organ, they wrap it separately and gently place it inside one of the jars. Alongside this step, some spells and rituals are made to ensure protection and long live in the next life. Afterwards, they leave the Heart as it is within the chest since it is considered the center of emotion. Lastly, most traditional or old jars remain as they are, but they are no longer used in the preservation process and are left in the tombs. Most old and traditional jars can be found in the Egyptian Museum in Egypt.
5. The Modern Face Of The Canopic Jars
Today, The Canopic Jars remain popular throughout history and still have the same value because of their eye-catching look and their relation with ancient Egyptian beliefs. Many museums take care of such value due to its linking with the most sophisticated processes in ancient times (Mummification) and how it helped them in their beliefs of the afterlife. Additionally, modern creatives borrow ideas from these Canopic jars, which shows their actual influence on them, reflected in their artwork, paintings, and accessories.
Conclusion
To sum up, Canopic Jars are not only a tool that serves the Preists in their mummification process or to understand the ancient Egyptians’ funerary practices but also a clue to the testaments to the civilization’s rich culture and history and their way of thinking and beliefs. The Canopic jars still maintain their beauty and value, from their practical use in mummification to their symbolic representation of the god’s protection. Moreover, as we keep studying the Canopic Jars, we learn more about how the ancient people lived and thought. We find connections between our world and theirs.
