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Ba
In
ancient Egyptian beliefs and mythology, Ba was considered to be an
individual's distinctive 'manifestation' or 'animation', similar to our concept
of personality or soul, in that it comprised of all the non physical attributes
which make each human being unique. It was symbolized as a human-headed bird,
which departed the body after death and made its way in flight to the realm of
Osiris, where its happiness was assured.
The "Ba" visited its old body in the tomb (the
mummy) every night, for the purposes of comforting it and reassuring it concerning
immortality, and also to provide it with necessary substances for surviving the
afterlife. One of the aims of embalming the body was to offer the "Ba" a
safe haven even after death, otherwise it could get lost.
Closely connected
to the physical body, the "Ba" was believed to have the same physical needs
as the living body, including earthly pleasures such as food and drink and
even copulation! Statuettes of "Ba" birds were placed on the chest of the
coffins, or on top of a wooden stela.
See Ka,
Thoth,
Amulet, Talisman,
Casting Black Magic Spells,
Commanding Spirits,
The Tarot Store and
Divination & Scrying Tools and
Supplies.
Sources: Article is scheduled to be reviewed.
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