The Pharaoh’s Afterlife Journey: The 12 Gates of Duat (part1)

The Pharaoh’s Afterlife Journey: The 12 Gates of Duat

1. What is Duat?

Duat is the realm in ancient Egyptian mythology that the dead must pass through to reach the afterlife. The sun god Ra (Ra) travels through this world every night and is reborn in the east at dawn. The deceased pharaoh follows the sun god’s journey, passing through 12 gates, each guarded by gods, monsters, and trials. Only those who successfully pass all the gates will receive Osiris' judgment and gain eternal life.

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2. The 12 Gates of Duat

The First Gate: Akhet, The Gate of Twilight

• The first gate, known as the Gate of Twilight, marks the transition from death to the afterlife.
• The gatekeeper god Seta asks the pharaoh for his name.
• If the pharaoh cannot remember his true name and the many titles he held in life, he will be unable to pass.
  ➡ Meaning: This tests whether the deceased can retain their identity after death.

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The Second Gate: The Lake of Fire

• A vast lake of fire awaits beyond the second gate, inhabited by monstrous beings that breathe flames.
• The pharaoh must seek aid from Serqet, the goddess of fire, to cross safely.
• To prove his worthiness, he must demonstrate the virtues he upheld in life and offer a prayer to the gods.
  ➡ Meaning: The pharaoh must prove that he led a righteous and just life.

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The Third Gate: The Path of Serpents

• This gate is blocked by giant serpents that guard the path to the afterlife.
• The most fearsome among them is Apep (Apophis), the eternal enemy of the sun god Ra.
• The pharaoh must recite sacred spells from the Book of the Dead to subdue the serpents and continue his journey.
  ➡ Meaning: This tests the pharaoh’s willpower and ability to overcome fear and temptation.

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The Fourth Gate: The Trial of the Mirror

• The fourth gate contains a labyrinth of mirrors that reflect the pharaoh’s soul.
• The mirrors reveal sins and mistakes from his past life.
• If the pharaoh denies his wrongdoing, he will become trapped within the mirrors forever.
  ➡ Meaning: The pharaoh must have the courage to confront his past and acknowledge his faults.

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The Fifth Gate: The Canyon of Winds

• The pharaoh must cross a canyon where powerful winds blow relentlessly.
• These winds, known as the Winds of Forgetfulness, can erase memories and cause lost souls to wander aimlessly.
• To protect himself, the pharaoh must use a magical amulet to shield his mind from the winds.
  ➡ Meaning: This tests whether the soul can retain its essence and identity despite adversity.

 

" Though he has survived the first five gates, the pharaoh knows that the greatest trials still await him in the depths of Duat."