Scales and Balances

Martin, Joseph D.

Abstract

In Ancient Egyptian mythology, entry into the afterlife was secure only after the weighing of the heart (Figure 1.4.1). The gods would place the deceased’s heart on a scale opposite the feather of Maat, symbolizing the seven cardinal virtues of truth, justice, propriety, harmony, balance, reciprocity, and order. Those whose hearts were in equilibrium with Maat could pass into the afterlife; hearts heavy with misdeeds would be devoured by Ammut — a chimerical, crocodile-headed goddess — consigning the soul of the deceased to oblivion…

Citation

Martin, J. D. (2020). Scales and Balances. In J. D. Martin, & C. C. Mody (Eds.), Between making and knowing : tools in the history of materials research (53-61). World Scientific Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1142/9789811207631_0006

• Publication Date: 2020
• Deposit Date: Jun 23, 2020
• Publicly Available Date: Aug 30, 2023
• Publisher: World Scientific Publishing
• Pages: 53-61
• Book Title: Between making and knowing : tools in the history of materials research.
• ISBN: 9789811207624
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1142/9789811207631_0006
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1628251