Canopic Jars

Canopic Jars
   In the process of embalming as practised in Egypt, the intestines and other internal organs were removed, cleaned, wrapped in linen with powdered spices, etc., and placed in jars named Canopic Jars. The name is said to have arisen from the old legend whereby Canopus, the pilot of Menelaus, was buried at Canopus, and there worshipped in the shape of a jar with small feet, thin neck, swollen body, and a round back. As far back as the sixth dynasty these jars were dedicated to the four cardinal points, and from about the seventeenth dynasty they bore the heads of the four sons of Horus (or of Osiris): Amset, Hapi, Duamutef, and Qebhsneuf, who also became gods of the cardinal points, protecting the liver, lungs, stomach, and intestines respectively. Traces of a similar custom have been observed in the Americas. For details See Bacabs.

Who’s Who in non-classical mythology . . 2014.

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  • Canopic Jars —    Modern term for the four jars in which the soft internal tissues of the deceased were stored after the mummification of the body. Canopic chests in which packages of these organs the liver, lungs, stomach, and intestines were placed are known… …   Ancient Egypt

  • Canopic jars —     Vessels (usually four to a set) used as receptacles for the viscera of the dead removed during mummification. Each jar was distinguished by its lid which represented one of the demi gods known as the Four Sons of Horus : human headed Amset,… …   Ancient Egypt

  • Canopic Jars —    These jars hold various internal organs of an Egyptian mummy, which are removed during the embalming process. The stomach and large intestines go in a jar dedicated to the god Amset, guardian of the South. The lungs and heart go into a jar… …   The writer's dictionary of science fiction, fantasy, horror and mythology

  • Canopic jar — Canopic jars were used by ancient Egyptians during the mummification process, and were commonly made of limestone, pottery, wood, or bronze. These jars were used by ancient Egyptians from the period of the Old Kingdom onwards to store various… …   Wikipedia

  • canopic jar — a jar used in ancient Egypt to contain the entrails of an embalmed body. Also, Canopic jar. Also called canopic vase. [1890 95] * * * In ancient Egyptian funerary ritual, a covered vessel of wood, stone, pottery, or faience containing the… …   Universalium

  • Canopic chest — Canopic chests are cases, that the Ancient Egyptians used to contain the internal organs which were removed during the process of mummification. Although the first proven canopic burials date from the 4th Dynasty reign of Sneferu, there is… …   Wikipedia

  • Four sons of Horus — One of the four sons of Horus was Hapi, which is also an alternate spelling for the name of the Nile god Hapy, but not to be confused with him .The four sons of Horus were a group of four gods in Egyptian religion, who were essentially the… …   Wikipedia

  • Duamutef — Duamutef, son of Horus …   Wikipedia

  • Osorkon II — King 874 850 BC.     The Twenty second Dynasty is sometimes known as the Bubastite Dynasty. Osorkon, one of its kings, tried to retain the unity of the country and prevent a secession of the priests at Memphis and Thebes, by placing members of… …   Ancient Egypt

  • Kiya — was a wife of Egyptian Pharaoh Akhenaten. Little is known about her, and her actions and roles are poorly documented in the historical record in contrast to Akhenaten s first (and chief) royal wife, Nefertiti. Name and titlesThe name Kiya itself… …   Wikipedia

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