Wouldn’t The 42 Laws of Maat and 42 Ideals of Ma’at make this world a better place? Even after thousands of years since they are believed to have been written, The 42 Laws of Ma’at, principles, affirmations or commandments would make any society perfect today.
Ma’at refers to ancient Egyptian laws, philosophy or concepts which promote order, balance, truth, reciprocity, harmony, righteousness, morality and justice. Ma’at is personified as Ma’at, the Ancient Egyptian Goddess of Truth, Justice and Order. She is usually depicted as a winged woman. The Goddess is often shown with an ostrich feather on her head, or with a white ostrich feather. The feather of Ma’at was an important part of the weighing of the heart of the soul ceremony in the afterlife. This is where the heart of the soul of the dead person was weighed in the scales of justice against the feather.
The 42 Laws Of Ma’at (Negative Confessions)
The 42 Laws of Ma’at – Negative Confession (also known as The Declaration of Innocence) is a list of 42 sins that the soul of the deceased can honestly declare it has never committed when it stands for judgment in the afterlife. The most famous list comes from The Papyrus of Ani. This is a text of The Egyptian Book of the Dead, prepared for the priest Ani of Thebes (c. 1250 BCE).
1- I have not committed sin2- I have not committed robbery with violence3- I have not stolen4- I have not slain men and women5- I have not stolen food6- I have not swindled offerings7- I have not stolen from God8- I have not told lies9- I have not carried away food10- I have not cursed11- I have not closed my ears to truth12- I have not committed adultery13- I have not made anyone cry14- I have not felt sorrow without reason15- I have not assaulted anyone16- I am not deceitful17- I have not stolen anyone’s land18- I have not been an eavesdropper19- I have not falsely accused anyone20- I have not been angry without reason21- I have not seduced anyone’s wife22- I have not polluted myself23- I have not terrorized anyone24- I have not disobeyed the law25- I have not been excessively angry26- I have not cursed God27- I have not behaved with violence28- I have not caused disruption of peace29- I have not acted hastily or without thought30- I have not overstepped my boundaries of concern31- I have not exaggerated my words when speaking32- I have not worked evil33- I have not used evil thoughts, words or deeds34- I have not polluted the water35- I have not spoken angrily or arrogantly36- I have not cursed anyone in thought, word or deed37- I have not placed myself on a pedestal38- I have not stolen that which belongs to God39- I have not stolen from or disrespected the deceased40- I have not taken food from a child41- I have not acted with insolence42- I have not destroyed property belonging to God |
Get our specially designed poster of The 42 Laws Of Ma’at
|
The 42 Ideals Of Ma’at (Positive Affirmations)
In recent years, a list of 42 Positive Ideals was compiled by a group of priestesses as a parallel to the Negative Confessions of Ma’at.
1- I honor virtue2- I benefit with gratitude3- I am peaceful4- I respect the property of others5- I affirm that all life is sacred6- I give offerings that are genuine7- I live in truth8- I regard all altars with respect9- I speak with sincerity10- I consume only my fair share11- I offer words of good intent12- I relate in peace13- I honor animals with reverence14- I can be trusted15- I care for the earth16- I keep my own council17- I speak positively of others18- I remain in balance with my emotions19- I am trustful in my relationships20- I hold purity in high esteem21- I spread joy22- I do the best I can23- I communicate with compassion24- I listen to opposing opinions25- I create harmony26- I invoke laughter27- I am open to love in various forms28- I am forgiving29- I am kind30- I act respectfully of others31- I am accepting32- I follow my inner guidance33- I converse with awareness34- I do good35- I give blessings36- I keep the waters pure37- I speak with good intent38- I praise the Goddess and the God39- I am humble40- I achieve with integrity41- I advance through my own abilities42- I embrace the All |
Get our specially designed poster of The 42 Laws Of Ma’at
|
You might also like
The Goddess Ma’at Meaning
The 7 Principles Of Ma’at
The Powers Of Ma’at
The Meaning of The 42 Laws Of Ma’at
The Physical Description Of Ma’at
