The Art of Ancient Egypt | Publications for Educators | Explore & Learn

Vision of a Life after Death

For Egyptians, the cycles of human life, rebirth, and afterlife mirrored the reproductive cycles that surrounded them in the natural world. After death, the Egyptians looked forward to continuing their daily lives as an invisible spirit among their descendents on Earth in Egypt, enjoying all the pleasures of life with none of its pain or hardships. This vision is vividly depicted in the sculptures, reliefs, and wall paintings of Egyptian tombs, with the deceased portrayed in the way he or she wished to remain forever, accompanied by images of family and servants. These forms of art not only reflect the Egyptians' love of life but by their very presence made the afterlife a reality.

Menna and his family fishing and fowling
In this tomb painting the deceased is shown twice. On the left he flings throw sticks at birds, and on the right he spears fishes. In both activities he is accompanied by his wife, son, and daughter.

Yuny and his wife, Renenutet
This couple represents an important local official and his wife, who was a temple ritual singer. They sit together in stone for eternity. Renenutet affectionately places her right arm around her husband's shoulders.

To achieve this ideal existence after death, a proper burial was necessary. The afterlife involved a daily interaction between the major components of a human being: the mummified body, the ka, the ba, the name, and the shadow.

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