Ammut the Gobbler is a mythological creature in ancient Egyptian belief and lore. As per the mythological accounts, Ammut is depicted as a fearsome and malevolent deity associated with Egyptian underworld and judgment of the souls.
Ammut is often illustrated as a monstrous hybrid creature, combining the features of a lion, a hippopotamus, and a crocodile. She possesses the forequarters of a lion, the hindquarters of a hippopotamus, and the head of a crocodile. This unique composite form symbolizes her ferocity and power.
According to ancient Egyptian mythology, when a person died, their heart would be weighed on the scales of Maat, the goddess of truth and justice. If the heart was found to be heavier than the feather of Maat, signifying a life filled with evil deeds, Ammut would be present at the judgment to devour the heart. This punishment would result in the person's destruction and eternal damnation in the afterlife.
Therefore, Ammut the Gobbler is commonly referred to as the devourer of souls or the devourer of hearts. She played a crucial role in maintaining order and justice in the Egyptian afterlife, ensuring that only the pure-hearted souls could proceed to the realm of eternal paradise.
Ammut holds an important place in Egyptian funerary rituals and texts, serving as a constant reminder of the consequences of one's actions in life and the need to live righteously to avoid damnation.
