Maqet

Maqet


 * Meaning of Name:**

"Ladder"


 * Hieroglyphics:**



The //Maqet// was a magical amulet shaped like a ladder that was buried with the dead, often made of wood. The //Maqet// was believed to help the deceased climb up to Nut, whose body was the heavenly skies, and be reborn from her as a star. When the custom of placing a model of the //Maqet// in the tomb fell into disuse, the priests provided for the necessity of the dead by painting a //Maqet// on the papyri that were inscribed with the texts from the Book of the Dead and placed in the tomb. The //Maqet// was associated with the deities Nut, Set, Osiris, Shu, and Horus.

In the Book of the Dead the importance of the //Maqet// is seen, as the deceased says "I set up a Ladder among the gods, and I am a divine being among them." Later it is said "The Osiris shall come forth upon your Ladder which Ra hath made for him, and Horus and Set shall grasp him firmly by the hand."


 * Quotes from the Book of the Dead and other sources:**

Maqet Spell

Magical Amulets