Ancient Egyptian Religion

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Religion was not a monolithic institution, it consisted of a large variety of different beliefs and practices, all of which were linked by the common focus on the interaction between the Egyptian people and the divine realm, as the gods of this realm linked the Egyptian understanding of the world. As the Ancient Egyptian Religion was an integral part of ancient Egyptian society. Polytheism the belief of multiple deities usually assembled into a pantheon of gods and goddesses along with their own mythologies and rituals was an essential aspect of ancient Egyptian religion. As the Ancient Egyptian religion included a large and diverse pantheon of gods and goddesses, and around these deities arose a rich mythology that helped explain the world. As these deities of Egyptian cosmology played specific roles within the Egyptian society, as the It was their representation through artwork that communicated particular symbols and meanings within this ancient society, it must be noted that the portrayals of the gods in the art were not meant as literal illustrations of the gods, if they were visible. As the gods were believed to be mysterious, these depictions instead gave recognizable forms to these abstract deities using symbolic imagery, of animals, colour and clothing to communicate each deity’s role within this ancient society.

Colors were more expressive within the ancient artwork as rather than using a natural skin tone differing colours represented differing roles or symbols amongst the ancient society. As red skin symbolised healthy tanned youth, whereas yellow skin was used for women and middle-aged men who worked indoors, blue or gold colours have an association with precious materials and jewels, and to have as ones skin sugg...

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