A section of the Egyptian Book of the Dead written on papyrus showing the Weighing of the Heart in Duat where Anubis can be seen on the far right, the scales are shown with the feather balance, and Ammit awaits hearts that she must devour - the presence of Osiris at the gateway to the paradise of Aaru dates the papyrus to a late tradition of the myth

In Egyptian mythology, Duat (or Tuat) (also called Akert, Amenthes, or Neter-khertet) is the underworld. ' The Book of the Dead' is the common name for the Ancient Egyptian Funerary text known as ' Spells of Coming' (or ' Going') ' Forth By Day' "Reed fields" redirects here For the natural habitat see Reed bed. Ancient Egyptian religion encompasses the various religious beliefs and rituals practiced in Ancient Egypt from the predynastic period until the adoption of Christianity In the study of Mythology and Religion, the underworld (gr κάτω κόσμος) is a generic term approximately equivalent to the lay term Afterlife

This was the region through which the sun god Ra traveled from west to east during the night, and where he battled Apep. The Sun (Sol is the Star at the center of the Solar System. Ra (pronounced Rah and sometimes as Rê, is an Ancient Egyptian sun god.

It also was the place where people's souls went after death—for judgment. The soul, according to many religious and philosophical beliefs is the self-awareness, or Consciousness, unique to a particular living The structure of Duat, and the dangers faced there by dead souls, are detailed in texts such as the Book of Gates and the Book of the Dead. The Book of Gates is an Ancient Egyptian Sacred text dating from the New Kingdom. ' The Book of the Dead' is the common name for the Ancient Egyptian Funerary text known as ' Spells of Coming' (or ' Going') ' Forth By Day'

The most famous scene from the discussions of Duat is the Weighing of the Heart, in which the dead were judged by Anubis, using a feather, representing Ma'at, the goddess of Truth and Justice. Anubis is the Greek name for a Jackal -headed god associated with Mummification and the afterlife in Egyptian mythology. Maat or Mayet, thought to have been pronounced as *Muʔʕat (Muh-aht was the Ancient Egyptian concept of Truth, balance order— Law The meaning of the word truth extends from Honesty, Good faith, and Sincerity in general to agreement with Fact or Reality JUSTICE is a Human rights and law reform organisation based in the United Kingdom. She was responsible for maintaining order in the universe after having eliminated the emptiness of chaos at the beginning of creation.

The heart was thought to be the location of the soul by the ancient Egyptians. The hearts of souls which were out of balance because of sin, any hearts heavier or lighter than the feather of Ma'at, were rejected and eaten by the goddess Ammit (also known as the Devourer of Souls). Sin is a term used mainly in a religious context to describe an act that violates a moral Rule, or the state of having committed such a violation In Egyptian mythology, Ammit (also spelt Ammut, Ammet, Amam, Amemet and Ahemait) was the personification of Divine Those souls that would be allowed to travel toward the paradise of Aaru had to have hearts that weighed exactly the same as Ma'at's feather. "Reed fields" redirects here For the natural habitat see Reed bed.

External links

• Egypt Legends - Apophis in the Duat The realm of the Duat is described in the Egyptian Book of Gates which follows the sun on its journey through the hours of the night. The Duat was located beneath the earth which is also where Osiris presided over the dead. It was believed that the sun on its journey through the Duat, brought light and revitlization to the deceased, including Osiris, and with whom they were to arise in the morning.