Vignettes Spell 126
The Lake of Fire
The primary goal of this vignette is to cleanse the deceased of remaining earthly sins and moral imperfections through the intercession of the sacred baboon guardians. By rubbing out these transgressions, the deities transform the dangerous flames of the Lake of Fire into a restorative source of purification and divine nourishment, safely neutralizing the hazard and guaranteeing the traveller secure transit through the underworld
See for translations and plates R. O. Faulkner, The Ancient Egyptian Book of the Dead, 1985 revised edition, p.115.
“Prayer to the Baboons of the Sun”
Two of the four Baboons sitting before a burning brazier, from the Papyrus of Khonsumes. They use the purifying fire to erase the remaining sins of the deceased
Photo: VB 2022
Sobekmose
Papyrus c. 1490 BC, 18th Dyn.
Photo VB 2023/2024
Senuseret
Papyrus c. 1475 BC, 18th Dyn.
Photo VB 2022/2023
Senhotep
Papyrus c. 1440 BC, 18th Dyn.
Photo VB 2021
Maiherperi
Papyrus c. 1400 BC, 18th Dyn.
Photo VB 2021
This vignette has two unique features: first, it shows five baboons instead of four; second, they are all facing the same direction
Nebseni
Papyrus c. 1400 BC, 18th Dyn.
© The Trustees of the British Museum
Yuya
Papyrus c. 1370 BC, 18th Dyn.
Photo VB 2021
Nakht
Papyrus c. 1325 BC, 18th Dyn.
© The Trustees of the British Museum
Ani
Papyrus c. 1250 BC, 19th Dyn.
© The Trustees of the British Museum
Tashedkhonsu
Papyrus c. 1075 BC, 21th Dyn.
Photo VB 2021
Tajoeheryt
Papyrus c. 1050 BC, 21th Dyn.
Photo RMO Leiden
Nauny
Papyrus c. 1050 BC, 21th Dyn.
Photo Metropolitain Museum
Pinedjem I
Papyrus c. 1035 BC, 21th Dyn.
Photo VB 2021
The traditional Lake of Fire vignette is absent here. Instead, elements of Spell 126 are integrated in a simplified form within the overarching judgment scene of Spell 125, featuring the baboons alongside the balances of justice and alternating brazier signs. See also vignettes at the end, some 800 years later
Tjanefer
Papyrus c. 1010 BC, 21th Dyn.
Photo VB 2021
The diagonal line running from the upper left downward is caused by two glass plates protecting the papyrus
Khonsuenrenep
Papyrus c. 1010 BC, 21th Dyn.
Photo Mr. John M. Kelly
Aaneru
Papyrus c. 1010 BC, 21th Dyn.
Photo Archivio Museo Egizio
Taudjatra
Papyrus c. 1010 BC, 21th Dyn.
Photo VB 2024
Khonsumes
Papyrus c. 1010 BC, 21th Dyn.
Photo VB 2023
Tentimen
Papyrus c. 1010 BC, 21th Dyn.
Photo BnF Gallica
Nestanebetisheru
Papyrus c. 960 BC, 21th Dyn.
© The Trustees of the British Museum
Maybe as supprt for Spell 149/150
Shedsuhor
Papyrus c. 960 BC, 21th Dyn.
Photo VB 2021
Bakenmut (I)
Papyrus c. 960 BC, 21th Dyn.
Photo VB 2021
Djedmutiuesankh
Papyrus c. 960 BC, 21th Dyn.
Photo VB 2022
Imhotep
Papyrus c. 340 BC, Ptolemaic
Photo VB 2024
Padiamonnebnesouttaouy
Papyrus c. 280 BC, Ptolemaic
Photo BnF Gallica
Elements of Spell 126 are integrated in a simplified form within the overarching judgment scene of Spell 125. See also the vignette of Pinedjem I
Pajuheru
Papyrus c. 250 BC, Ptolemaic
Photo Bayerische Staatsbibliothek
Rather than depicting a separate grand Lake of Fire scene, this standalone burning brazier probably acts most likely as a highly condensed visual index for Spell 126
Iuefankh
Papyrus c. 200 BC, Ptolemaic
Photo VB 2025
Keku
Papyrus c. 200 BC, Ptolemaic
Photo VB 2022
Elements of Spell 126 are integrated in a simplified form, even without baboons and scales, within the overarching judgment scene of Spell 125
Taruma
Papyrus c. 200 BC, Ptolemaic
Photo VB 2023
Tasheritenkhonsu
Papyrus c. 200 BC, Ptolemaic
Photo Archivio Museo Egizio
Elements of Spell 126 are integrated in a simplified form within the overarching judgment scene of Spell 125. See also the vignette of Pinedjem I
Tayesnakht
Papyrus c. 200 BC, Ptolemaic
Photo Archivio Museo Egizio
Elements of Spell 126 are integrated in a simplified form within the overarching judgment scene of Spell 125. See also the vignette of Pinedjem I
Tarudj named Naynay
Papyrus c. 150 BC, Ptolemaic
Photo VB 2022
Elements of Spell 126 are integrated in a simplified form within the overarching judgment scene of Spell 125. See also the vignette of Pinedjem I