What Goes In The Four Canopic Jars?

Canopic jars were an essential part of the ancient Egyptian funerary tradition, used to hold and preserve the internal organs of the deceased for the afterlife. These ornate containers date back to the Early Dynastic Period around 3150 BCE and were an integral part of the mummification process for over 3000 years.

According to ancient Egyptian beliefs, the deceased needed their body intact in order to successfully transition to the afterlife. However, the organs inside the body could not be preserved long-term, so they were removed during mummification. The heart, believed to contain the soul, was left inside the body. The other organs – the lungs, liver, stomach and intestines – were cleansed, treated, wrapped, and placed into canopic jars.

Canopic jars were used by ancient Egyptian elite, such as pharaohs, nobles, and other wealthy individuals who could afford a full mummification. They were an expression of reverence for the deceased, ensuring the preservation of their mortal remains. The jars were placed in the tomb alongside the sarcophagus, memorializing the dead for eternity and safeguarding their organs for the afterlife.

The Four Sons of Horus

In ancient Egyptian religion, the four sons of Horus were four gods who were esoterically associated with the four canopic jars used during mummification. Each son was connected to one of the four cardinal directions and guarded an internal organ that was placed into a specific canopic jar during embalming.

The four gods and their associations were:

• Imsety – Human-headed god representing the south and protector of the liver. The jar he guarded contained the embalmed liver of the deceased.
• Hapi – Baboon-headed god representing the north and protector of the lungs. His jar contained the embalmed lungs.
• Duamutef – Jackal-headed god representing the east and protector of the stomach. The embalmed stomach was stored in his jar.
• Qebehsenuef – Falcon-headed god representing the west and protector of the intestines. His jar held the mummified intestines.

Together, these four gods known as the “Children of Horus” protected the internal organs, divided into four parts, that ancient Egyptians saw as essential for journeying into the afterlife. The presence of the canopic jars and protection by the four sons assured the deceased they would be preserved eternally.

Imsety and the Liver Jar

Imsety was one of the four sons of Horus, and he protected the liver after mummification. Ancient Egyptians believed the liver was crucial for resurrection in the afterlife. The liver was seen as the source of a person’s lifeforce and the center of emotions. When a body was mummified, the embalmers would carefully remove the liver and place it in a canopic jar dedicated to Imsety.

The liver jar associated with Imsety often had a human head lid depicting Imsety. The jars themselves were intricately decorated with hieroglyphics and images relating to Imsety. Since the liver represented lifeforce, its jar was sometimes carved from steatite, a stone associated with regeneration and eternal life. The liver jar was also occasionally made from a reddish clay due to the liver’s reddish-brown color. While the other organs had jars made from specific materials, the liver jar had the most variation since the liver was considered the most important organ.

Overall, Imsety’s protection of the liver in its special jar highlights the great significance ancient Egyptians placed on this organ for rebirth in the afterlife. The materials, iconography, and care given to the liver jar further reflect this importance.

Hapi and the Lungs Jar

Hapi was one of the four sons of Horus who protected canopic jars containing mummified organs. He protected the lungs of the deceased. The ancient Egyptians believed the lungs were the center of breath and air. Breathing was an essential sign of life, so preserving the lungs was important for the afterlife.

Hapi was depicted as a baboon-headed god. Ancient Egyptians associated baboons with wisdom. As guardian of the lungs, Hapi was wise and understood the power of breath. The lungs jar Hapi protected often had a bronze baboon figurine lid.

The lungs jar was known as the southern canopic jar in funerary rituals. It stored the lungs on the mummification process. The jar itself was beautifully decorated, like the other canopic jars. Hieroglyphics and images of gods adorned the stone or pottery vessels. The lungs jar was painted blue or decorated with blue glaze, representing air and sky.

Overall, Hapi and the lungs jar highlighted the ancient Egyptian belief in the importance of breath for rebirth in the afterlife. The lungs were essential, so Hapi provided protection and wisdom as their guardian.

Duamutef and the Stomach Jar

Duamutef was depicted as a mummy with a jackal head. He protected the stomach, which was considered the organ of digestion. The ancient Egyptians believed the stomach played an important role in the process of creating ukh, or magical power. A strong and healthy stomach was seen as necessary for transforming food into this spiritual energy.

The stomach jar that held the organ was decorated with the image of Duamutef. It was often painted red or covered in orange faience, representing the reddish color of the interior stomach. The jar was filled with natron salts to dry and preserve the organ after the embalming process. Its tapering oval shape resembled the form of the stomach itself. The four canopic jars were placed in a special chest near the sarcophagus in the tomb.

Qebehsenuef and the Intestines Jar

Qebehsenuef was one of the Four Sons of Horus, and he protected the intestines of the deceased. He was depicted as a falcon-headed god, and his name means “Qebehsenuef is his name.”

The intestines were seen as an important organ by the ancient Egyptians and were carefully preserved. They believed the intestines played a role in receiving divine offerings of food, so protecting them was vital for the afterlife. The intestines were removed, washed, coated in resin, wrapped in linen, and placed into a special canopic jar dedicated to Qebehsenuef.

The intestines jar would be decorated with Qebehsenuef’s protective image and hieroglyphs reading “Qebehsenuef is on his belly.” The jar itself was typically carved from calcite or travertine and painted or gilded. The stoppers were intricately carved, often with Qebehsenuef’s falcon head. Overall, the intestines jar honored this organ’s significance and ensured Qebehsenuef’s protection in the afterlife.

Materials and Construction

Ancient Egyptian canopic jars were intricately constructed from a variety of materials. The jars themselves were commonly made from calcite or limestone, which allowed them to be intricately carved and decorated. For royal jars, more precious materials like alabaster or gold were sometimes used.

The jars were often richly decorated with hieroglyphics, images of the protective Four Sons of Horus, and other Egyptian symbols and motifs. The decorations were typically painted on or carved directly into the stone. The jars were often topped with carved stone lids, with the heads of the Four Sons of Horus representing which internal organ was held inside.

The jars were cylindrical in shape and stood roughly 10-30 centimeters tall. While royal canopic jars were masterfully carved, common people often had simpler jars made of terracotta or wood. Inside, the internal organs were carefully wrapped and preserved using natron salts and resin. Once constructed and filled, the jars would be placed in a canopic chest and buried alongside the mummy.

The Canopic Jar Ritual

The canopic jars played an important role in the elaborate mummification rituals of ancient Egypt. During the embalming process, the vital organs of the deceased were removed and placed in the jars for preservation. Each jar contained one organ – the liver, lungs, stomach, or intestines.

The priests performing the mummification would make an incision on the left side of the body and remove the organs carefully, while reciting spells and prayers. The liver, considered important for the afterlife, was usually the first organ removed. Each organ was then rinsed, covered in preserving salts and linen, and placed in its designated jar.

The four canopic jars would be placed in a special chest near the sarcophagus of the mummy. The jars were meant to represent the protection of the four sons of Horus, who guarded the organs. Their presence near the mummy allowed for the preservation of the organs for use in the afterlife. This ritual was a vital step believed to aid resurrection.

The wrapping and placement of the filled canopic jars was done reverently, as a sacred rite. Once sealed, the jars were not meant to be reopened. The four jars would accompany the mummy into entombment, where they would reside undisturbed for eternity, ensuring the preservation of the body’s vital organs for the next world.

Notable Examples

Some of the most well-known and exquisitely crafted canopic jars come from the tomb of Tutankhamun. His four alabaster canopic jars were decorated with the heads of the four sons of Horus and inlaid with vibrant colored glass. Each vessel contained the mummified organs of the boy king. Tutankhamun’s canopic equipment represents the pinnacle of the embalmer’s art during the late 18th dynasty.

The canopic jars belonging to Queen Nodjmet, wife of the pharaoh Herihor, are also stunning examples of the artistry of royal canopic jars. Her jars are made of calcite and show Nodjmet and Herihor being embraced by various deities including Isis and Nephthys.

Many museums around the world have Egyptian canopic jars in their collections. The Louvre houses canopic jars from the 21st dynasty belonging to the Theban priest Montuemhat. The British Museum holds the fine alabaster canopic jars of Padiamenet, a Theban priest who lived during the 25th dynasty. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York has the canopic equipment of Henettawy, the wife of Pinudjem II, on display.

Legacy and Significance

Canopic jars remain one of the most iconic symbols of ancient Egyptian culture and funeral practices. Even thousands of years after their use, these jars still capture popular imagination as an essential part of mummification. Their lasting mystique is a testament to their cultural significance for the ancient Egyptians.

The image of the four canopic jars, each with the head of a different son of Horus, can instantly evoke ancient Egypt in the popular consciousness. This speaks to how intrinsic they were in Egyptian rituals, mythology, and preparation for the afterlife. Even today, depictions of canopic jars can be found in Egyptian-themed art, jewelry, and movies as shorthand for ancient Egypt.

Canopic jars also represent the Egyptian belief in the afterlife and emphasis on preserving the body for resurrection. As such an important part of mummification, they symbolize the Egyptians’ spiritual faith and intricate funeral practices. The jars remain profoundly tied to their concept of life after death.

While canopic jars fell out of use over two thousand years ago, their powerful iconography lives on. As artifacts, canopic jars provide deep insights into Egyptian culture and religion. Their mystique and allure is sure to capture imaginations for centuries to come.