Ammit
In ancient Egyptian lore, Ammit is a fearsome creature with the head of a crocodile, the torso of a lion, and the hindquarters of a hippopotamus. It devours the hearts of those deemed unworthy in the afterlife.
At a glance
- Tradition
- Egyptian mythology
- Region
- Egypt (place of origin)
- Trait family
- The Threshold-Keepers
- Symbols
- HippopotamusLion
Near this figure
Symbols
Judged against the description by a model. Meanings are our own paraphrase.
- Hippopotamus bears The hippopotamus represents amphibious maternal power and strength; Egyptian traditions divide it between Taweret’s protection and Set’s violent virility.
why
In ancient Egyptian lore, Ammit is a fearsome creature with the head of a crocodile, the torso of a lion, and the hindquarters of a hippopotamus.
- Lion bears The lion is ambivalent: solar majesty, courage, justice, guardianship, and resurrection coexist with lunar maternity, cruelty, war, destructive heat, and death.
why
In ancient Egyptian lore, Ammit is a fearsome creature with the head of a crocodile, the torso of a lion, and the hindquarters of a hippopotamus.
Traits
Read from the figure's description, which a model wrote. Open "why" for the sentence a trait came from.
Form
- Crocodile lion hippo composite
why
This chimerical beast is a nightmarish fusion of Egypt's most feared animals: the head of a crocodile, symbolizing its voracious appetite and connection to the Nile; the front body and paws of a lion, representing strength and royal power; and the hindquarters of a hippopotamus, embodying fertility and maternal protection in its positive aspects, but also destruction in its negative form.
Behaviour
- Devours hearts of the unworthy dead
why
If the heart was found to be heavier than the feather, indicating a life lived with sin and wickedness, Ammit would devour it, condemning the soul to a second death - a state of non-existence that was considered the worst possible fate in Egyptian belief.
Curses
- Soul judgment
why
If the heart was found to be heavier than the feather, indicating a life lived with sin and wickedness, Ammit would devour it, condemning the soul to a second death - a state of non-existence that was considered the worst possible fate in Egyptian belief.
Roles
Judged from the works' own entries, not from the description. Carries: the figure holds the role. Meets: the role is in its stories, held by something it meets.
- Death carries both readings
5 citations
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Aman."
- E. A. Wallis Budge, The Gods of the Egyptians, p. 2.
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Aman."
- Carol Rose, Spirits, Fairies, Leprechauns, and Goblins, s.v. "Aman."
- Geraldine Pinch, Egyptian Mythology, p. 100.
- Shadow carries both readings
5 citations
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Aman."
- E. A. Wallis Budge, The Gods of the Egyptians, p. 2.
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Aman."
- Carol Rose, Spirits, Fairies, Leprechauns, and Goblins, s.v. "Aman."
- Geraldine Pinch, Egyptian Mythology, p. 100.
- Hero meets
5 citations
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Aman."
- E. A. Wallis Budge, The Gods of the Egyptians, p. 2.
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Aman."
- Carol Rose, Spirits, Fairies, Leprechauns, and Goblins, s.v. "Aman."
- Geraldine Pinch, Egyptian Mythology, p. 100.
- Threshold meets
5 citations
- Theresa Bane, Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore, s.v. "Aman."
- E. A. Wallis Budge, The Gods of the Egyptians, p. 2.
- Carol Rose, Giants, Monsters, and Dragons, s.v. "Aman."
- Carol Rose, Spirits, Fairies, Leprechauns, and Goblins, s.v. "Aman."
- Geraldine Pinch, Egyptian Mythology, p. 100.