The Offering of the Eye of Horus in the Pyramid Texts: Performativity and Symbolic Credit

What is it about?

Among different compilations included in the Pyramid Texts (PT), an outstanding group is concerned with purification and with the offering of food and drink. From the lists of the goods referred to in these offering spells an assortment of products: meat, bread, wine, odorous substances or, even, weapons, diverse elements of regalia and royal insignia, are considered conduits for the Eye of Horus, which is evoked by means of these products in its protective aspect. The present article analyses the role and significance of this relevant religious symbol through the speech patterns of these formulae, paying special attention to the expressions, verbal material and terminology in order to observe how the Eye of Horus operated as an element of empowering within the magical speech.

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Photo by Michael Starkie on Unsplash

Photo by Michael Starkie on Unsplash