Exploring Beyond: Ancient Views on the Afterlife
By Jack Ripley | April 12, 2024
Aztec Afterlife Shaped by Death Circumstances
Embark on a journey through time and across cultures as we delve into the captivating realm of ancient beliefs about the afterlife. From the mystique of ancient Egypt's journey through the underworld to the warrior's paradise of Valhalla in Norse mythology, our exploration unveils the diverse perspectives and rituals surrounding life after death.
Join us as we uncover the intricate customs, myths, and spiritual landscapes of civilizations such as the Aztecs, Greeks, Romans, and beyond. Through this journey, we aim to entertain by presenting a fascinating exploration of ancient beliefs about the afterlife, inform by educating readers about diverse cultural perspectives, and inspire contemplation about the universal human fascination with what lies beyond the threshold of mortality.
José Clemente Orozco’s monumental mural, ‘The Epic of American Civilization,’ with the panel commemorating the Aztec Underworld gods in ‘The Coming of Quetzalcoatl (1932-34).
The Aztec civilization, flourishing in what is now modern Mexico, held unique beliefs about the afterlife, where the destiny of souls was determined by the circumstances of their death rather than their earthly deeds. Divided into four cardinal directions, each with its distinct afterlife realm, Aztec cosmology offered varied destinies for departed souls. Women who died in childbirth were honored in the eastern afterlife, aiding the sun's emergence from the underworld. Those succumbing to diseases, lightning strikes, or drowning found solace in the bountiful southern afterlife. Mictlan, the northern realm, awaited those who died naturally, presenting daunting challenges across eight levels before offering peace on the ninth. Warriors fallen in combat ascended to the western heaven, joining forces with the god Huitzilopochtli to ensure the sun's eternal rise. After four years of celestial battle, they returned to Earth reborn as hummingbirds, embodying the cycle of life and death in Aztec belief.
Greek and Roman Beliefs in the Afterlife
Aeneas and the Sibyl in the Underworld, by Jan Brueghel the Younger, 1630s, via Met Museum
In both Greek and Roman mythology, the realm of the afterlife was governed by Hades or Pluto, along with his consort Persephone or Proserpina. Upon death, souls faced judgment before three judges, determining their fate in the afterlife: the Fields of Asphodel for the ordinary, the Pit of Tartarus for the wicked, and possibly Elysium or the Isles of the Blessed for the virtuous and heroic. To reach Hades, souls had to cross the River Styx, ferried by the sinister boatman Charon, often providing payment with a coin placed in the mouth of the deceased. Some accounts even mention offerings of honey cakes to appease Cerberus, the fearsome three-headed guardian of the underworld's gates, highlighting the elaborate beliefs surrounding the journey to the realm of the dead.
Navigating the Egyptian Afterlife
In ancient Egypt, death initiated a complex odyssey to the afterlife, steeped in profound beliefs and elaborate rituals. At the heart of this journey were the Ka and Ba, spiritual essences intimately linked to the physical body, whose preservation via mummification was paramount for a smooth transition. Alongside, shabtis, enchanted figurines, stood ready as perpetual aides in the tasks of the afterlife. Yet, the soul's ultimate reckoning awaited in the Hall of Two Truths, a divine courtroom where judgment was meted out. Guided by scrolls such as the Book of the Dead, souls underwent the pivotal Weighing of the Heart ceremony. Here, the weight of one's deeds, symbolized by the heart, was balanced against the feather of Ma'at, representing truth and justice. A harmonious balance ushered the soul into eternal bliss, while any imbalance led to the dreaded fate of consumption by Ammit the Devourer, emphasizing the profound significance of virtuous living in Egyptian cosmology.
Continuity of Life: Ancient Chinese Beliefs in the Afterlife
https://gwongzaukungfu.com/en/the-river-of-oblivion-and-reincarnation/
In ancient China, death was viewed as a continuation of life, with provisions made for the departed to sustain their existence in the afterlife. Upon passing, souls were guided to Cheng Huang, the God of Walls and Moats, for judgment. Virtuous individuals might ascend to paradise, while others experienced varying degrees of afterlife based on their earthly status or deeds. The underworld, known as the Yellow Spring, served as a realm of punishment for evil souls before their eventual reincarnation. Ancestor worship played a crucial role, emphasizing the ongoing obligations of the living towards their ancestors, whose spirits retained influence over earthly affairs. An ancestor cult emerged with offerings and ceremonies to honor and appease departed relatives, maintaining harmony between the living and the dead.
Viking Afterlife: Warriors' Destiny in Valhalla and Beyond
FINE ART IMAGES/HERITAGE IMAGES/GETTY IMAGES
In Viking lore, the afterlife was a realm shaped by honor, battle, and mythic splendor. Valhalla, the revered "Hall of the Fallen," welcomed noble warriors who met their end in combat, its roof adorned with shields and guarded by fierce wolves and eagles. Here, warriors reveled in eternal feasting and camaraderie, preparing for Ragnarök, the fateful battle foretold in Norse prophecy.
Yet, not all warriors earned entry to Valhalla; only those deemed honorable in battle could partake in its glory. Those who fell short found varied destinies. Seafaring souls lost at sea joined the revelry in the hall of the sea god Aegir, while dishonorable warriors faced grim fates in halls of woven snakes and rivers of venom. For those who succumbed to sickness or old age, a foggy realm awaited, where they dined with the decaying goddess Hel.
Amidst these realms, Fólkvangr, ruled by the goddess Freyja, offered solace to warriors denied entry to Valhalla. Here, life unfolded peacefully, with art, storytelling, and companionship with maidens who perished untarnished. In the intricate tapestry of Viking afterlife beliefs, destinies varied, reflecting the complexities of honor, mortality, and myth in Norse culture.
Maori Afterlife: Journey Beyond Cape Reinga
Nazar Abbas Photography / Getty Images
The Maori people of New Zealand held unique beliefs about the afterlife, where the journey of the spirit extended to the tip of Cape Reinga. Upon reaching this sacred site (which is the northernmost point of New Zealand), the spirit descended a Pohutukawa tree, merging with the ocean to reunite with ancestors. Their afterlife comprised multiple realms, each governed by Maori deities, with no consideration for earthly conduct influencing one's destination. Unlike notions of punishment, Maori beliefs focused on the continuity of spiritual existence and the potential repercussions if a spirit failed to complete its journey, reflecting a deep concern for spiritual harmony between the realms of the living and the dead
Celtic Afterlife: Exploring the Realms of the Otherworld
The origins of the Celts remain shrouded in debate, with interpretations varying between a native origin in the British Isles or a migration from mainland Europe. Despite this uncertainty, upon settling in regions like Ireland, the Celts fused their religious beliefs with existing traditions. Central to their cosmology was the concept of the Otherworld, a realm of supernatural kingdoms such as Tír na nÓg ("The Land of the Young"), Mag Mell ("The Plain of Honey"), and Tír Tairngire ("The Promised Land"). These realms, intertwined like scenes in a dream, allowed souls to exist simultaneously in different kingdoms, shaping a complex and mystical afterlife landscape in Celtic mythology.
Diverse Visions of the Afterlife: Early Native American Cultural Perspectives
Death of Joseph (c1840 - 1904) Chief of the Nez - Perce. From "Le Petit Journal", Paris, October 1904
North American tribes have held diverse beliefs about the afterlife, reflecting the unique cultural perspectives of each group. For Plains tribes, such as the Cheyenne, the concept of the Happy Hunting Ground offered an idyllic realm abundant with buffalo for eternal hunting. Conversely, the Pueblo Indians envisioned the afterlife as a seamless continuation of earthly existence, reuniting with departed loved ones in another realm. Similarly, the Omaha Indians and tribes of New England embraced the notion of an afterlife devoid of punishment, viewing it as a natural extension of life. Among the Cheyenne, the journey to the afterlife involved following a celestial trail to the Milky Way, where the camp of the dead awaited, marked by reunions with deceased kin amidst the stars.
Incan Perspectives on the Afterlife: The Realms of Existence
https://oldworldgods.com/inca/inca-mythology-afterlife/
Originating in the 12th century in the Andean region of South America, the Incan empire stretched from Ecuador to central Chile, boasting a population of around 12 million inhabitants. In the Incan cosmology, the afterlife, known as Huk vida, comprised three horizontal levels. At the top resided Hanan Pacha, the Upper World, reserved for those who led righteous lives. Below lay Kay Pacha, signifying "This World," the realm of earthly existence. Finally, Uku Pacha, the Below World or Inner World, housed those who did not qualify for Hanan Pacha. Unlike typical underworlds, Uku Pacha was not a realm of punishment but rather associated with the feminine earth mother and the ancestral bones. The Incans viewed the worlds as interconnected, with phenomena like lightning serving as bridges between the Upper and This Worlds, and mountains symbolizing the connection between This World and the heavens. Gateways to the Inner World were believed to be found in caves and natural formations, emphasizing the interconnectedness of existence in Incan cosmology.
Clay to Cosmos: Mesopotamian Odyssey of the Soul
Ancient Mesopotamians envisioned the afterlife as a continuation of their earthly existence, rooted in the myth of creation by the deity We-ilu. According to legend, humanity was formed from a blend of clay and divine blood, imbuing mortals with an immortal essence. Upon death, the mortal body returned to clay, while the immortal spirit endured on Earth before embarking on a perilous journey to the underworld. Guided by the enigmatic Silushi, souls traversed demon-infested plains and crossed the Khuber River, navigating the seven gates of the netherworld city with the aid of gatekeeper Bidu. In the underworld, a divine tribunal judged the immortal aspect of the deceased, determining their placement in the afterlife based on social status in life and the posthumous care of their earthly remains. Social hierarchy persisted even in heaven, underscoring the importance of benevolent treatment towards kin and community during one's lifetime in ancient Mesopotamian belief.
