In ancient Egypt, the dead were accorded respect just like the living. Symbolism was a very dominant style in the culture of the Egyptians and it was affected using the various forms of art. Art was used by the Egyptians to reflect the relationship between the living and the dead. Egyptian art was characterized by a keen observation of natural occurrences such as death.
Art and architecture in early Egypt were used for depicting fundamentals on their live For instance works of art that were found in upper Egypt and Nubia. Different meanings were attached to various arts with regard to religion and traditional practices. These meanings and significance were attached based on the faith of the people and their religious responsibilities.
Arts were used to symbolize certain aspects that concerned both the living and the dead. Arts in Egypt were found in tombs on the walls. These paintings were meant to keep the dead man’s soul alive and make the afterlife a very pleasant place for the soul. Initially, if a man died he was accompanied to the tomb by his servants or slaves who were sacrificed so as to continue with their services in the world after death.
The pictures were put inside the tombs had the intention of providing the dead man’s soul with helpers in the next world. The paintings consisted of some of the deeds of the dead man so that he may continue with whatever he liked in the underworld. A good example of such art paintings was done for the Osiris. The paintings of Osiris were meant to signify the good activities the Osiris did while alive. There were also paintings for dead warriors for their exemplary work of protecting society. They were therefore expected to continue with the defense work in the underworld. The paintings were made in a very beautiful and showed the profile of the person or animal plus the side view.
Apart from paintings the Egyptians also used sculptures in their architecture. They constructed massive statues to represent the pharaohs, kings, and queens. These sculptures were meant to give the gods eternal life and be available for people to see them always. Strict guidelines had to be followed in the process of crafting the sculptures for instance the male one had to be distinct in their own identity from the female statues. A falcons head was used to represent the god of the sky; Horus while Anubis was portrayed with a jackal’s head.
Egyptian architects used sun-dried and kiln-baked bricks to make magnificent structures some of which were used in the process of mummification. It is the existence of such structures that the belief in life after death emerged.
In conclusion, to the Egyptians, symbolism played a vital role in as far as bringing order in society is concerned. This kind of order was supposed to be carried on in the life after death as can be seen by paintings that were made in the Egyptian tombs.