The Ancient Egyptian Concept of the Soul

For the ancient Egyptians, their body and soul that made up the ‘being of man’ consisted of nine parts. There was the physical form and eight immortal or semi-divine parts that survived death. Each of these nine parts survived after death and required provisions and protection in the afterlife. Each required sustenance and shelter if the deceased should not die a second time. These nine parts consisted of:

· Khat (Kha) – the physical form
· Ka – the Spirit of Emotional Body
· Ba – the Soul
· Khaibit – the shadow
· Akhu (Akh, Khu, Ikhu) – being of light
· Sahu – the incorruptible spiritual body
· Sekhem – the life force
· Ab (Ib) – the heart
· Ren – the true name.

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