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Original fileThe Weighing of the Heart from the Papyrus of Ani
Ani chap125
About This Work
The papyrus fragment is divided into vertical registers. On the left, forty-two seated, small-scale deities representing the divine judges are lined up, each associated with a column of hieroglyphic text. To the right, the scene is tiered: the top shows two seated goddesses; the middle depicts Ani standing in prayer before a seated, mummified Osiris; the lower center shows Anubis adjusting the scales as Ammit the devourer waits; and the bottom right features Thoth seated and recording the outcome. The figures are rendered in traditional Egyptian polychrome on a tan papyrus background, characterized by sharp black outlines and idealized profile poses.
This image is a quintessential representation of the 'Negative Confession' and the judgment ritual from the Egyptian 'Book of the Dead' (specifically Spell 125), detailing the ethical trial required to enter the afterlife (Aaru).
Inscriptions(Egyptian)
Multiple columns of Middle Egyptian hieroglyphs spanning the length of the register, listing the names and domains of the forty-two judges.
Translation
The text lists the titles of the forty-two gods to whom the deceased makes the 'Negative Confession', asserting their innocence of various sins before each judge.
Connected Texts
The Egyptian Book of the Dead
This image is a direct visual illustration of the Spell 125 ritual for the weighing of the heart.