A is for Ammit

I’m doing folklore and book review posts to reach and please a larger audience. Previous years have shown select interest in both and to minimise blogging throughout the year, I’m focusing my efforts on April.

If you’d rather check out my book review for today, go here.

A creature made up of several known animals is always a fascinating topic in folklore and mythology. Ammit is one such creature — and she devours the hearts of evil people. She is also close to Anubis.

Folklore

Book of the Dead: Becoming a God in Ancient Egypt [Ancient Egyptian text]

Amemet, “the devourer of the dead” a composite animal being with crocodile head, upper body part of a lion, and lower part of a hippopotamus, who is a constant presence during the final judgement for she is ready to destroy the life of those who are not judged favourably; her divine power was therefore only related to the retribution of the afterlife.

The menacing demonic creature is sitting on a shrine, as often on papyri of the later periods, where it seems that her status is upgraded to that of a worshipped god; the two ma’at feathers on her head accentuate the divine status of the Devourer.

Egyptian Mythology: Captivating Stories of the Gods, Goddesses, Monsters and Mortals by Matt Clayton

Ammit—Was not a god to be worshipped. He was the devourer or soul-eater who lived near the scales of justice in Duat (underworld). No one ever wanted to talk about him or ever to meet him.

Read more in the book.

A Wizard’s Bestiary by Oberon Zell Ravenheart

Ammut (or Ammet, Amemet, Amermait, Am-Mit, Amam; meaning “Bone Eater”)—A terrible female monster in the Egyptian Underworld, she has the head of a crocodile, a lion’s mane, a leopard’s forelimbs and spots, and the hindquarters of a hippopotamus. The Egyptians called her “the Devourer of the Dead.” She personified divine retribution for all the wrongs one had committed in life. In Osiris’ Hall of Justice, the hearts of the dead were weighed against Ma’at’s feather of truth, and those who failed to pass the test were fed to Ammut.

*More can be read in the book.

The Element Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures by John and Caitlin Matthews

A giant flesh-eating monster from Egyptian mythology, the Amemait was responsible for consuming the hearts of souls condemned for earthly crimes and misdemeanours. Its name can be translated as ‘Corpse Eater’, ‘Bone Eater’ or simply ‘Devourer’. The Amemait is described as being part hippopotamus, part lion, and part crocodile, and is often depicted as accompanying the god Osiris or as a guardian to the gateway of temples.

*More can be read in the book.

Encyclopedia of Beasts and Monsters in Myth, Legend and Folklore by Theresa Bane

Aman
Variations: Amamet, Amamet the Devourer, Amemait, Amemet, Amermait, Amit, Amit the Devourer, Am-Mit, Ammet, Ammit, Ammut, Amunet, the Devourer of Amenti, Eater of the Dead
In ancient Egyptian mythology Aman (“bone eater,” “water”) was believed to be an iatrical part of the Judgment of the Dead ceremony which took place in the afterlife. Described as having the body of a lion, the forequarters of a crocodile, and the hindquarters of a hippopotamus, Aman would wait at the base of the scales used to weigh the deceased’s ba, or soul; if the ba was too heavy with sin, it was tossed over to the awaiting Aman who would devour it in an instant. Interestingly, there has yet to be found a record of Aman having devoured the soul of anyone making their Negative Confession.

*More can be read in the book.

Egyptian Mythology: A Guide to the Gods, Goddesses, and Traditions of Ancient Egypt by Geraldine Pinch

Armed with these powers, the soul would eventually reach a divine domain. The last ordeal might be the judgment of the heart in the presence of Osiris and the assessors of the underworld. The goal of the journey was to be transformed into an akh, an “effective” or “transfigured” spirit. Those who failed to justify their existence in the divine court faced a second death in the jaws of the Eater of Souls.

AMMUT Ammut was a monstrous goddess who devoured the hearts of the evil dead.

*More can be read in the book.

Further Reading:

• Ammit
• Ammit
• Ammit The Devourer Of Souls – Egyptian Mythology

Folklore in a Nutshell by Ronel

Ammit is a goddess from Egyptian mythology tied to the afterlife. She is usually found in her animal form which comprises of the head of a crocodile, the upper body of a lion and the hindquarters of a hippopotamus. Her job is to devour the hearts of those who fail the test against the feather of Ma’at on the scales of judgement. The test is for the heart to not weigh more than the feather, thus not belonging to someone who did bad things in life. She’s not a goddess to be worshipped, just to be feared once one enters the Duat (the Underworld of Egyptian mythology). She’s the goddess of divine retribution of wrongs committed during life. The Ancient Egyptians called her “The Devourer” or “The Devourer of the Dead”.

Ammit in Modern Culture

In the Kane Chronicles by Rick Riordan.

Ammit is sleeping when Carter Kane, Sadie Kane, and Khufu are led to the Hall of Judgement by Anubis. She whimpers in her sleep when she hears her name, making Sadie wonder if she was dreaming of chasing rabbits. When Osiris returns to the Hall of Judgment, Ammit happily returns to her duty of devouring hearts.

Ammit has the head of a crocodile, the body of a lion, and the backside of a hippopotamus. She is the size of a poodle, and Thoth describes her as “an adorable little thing”. Carter assumed that she would be bigger, whereas Sadie calls her a hippodoodle. Carter also thinks that Ammit is a female. However, Sadie is sure that Ammit is a male.

Learn more here.

In the Marvel Universe

Ammit was among the Egyptian gods, worshipped by people of Ancient Egypt, however, she was feared for judging humans based on their past, present, and future to decided whether a person was worthy to live or not.^[2] Eventually, Ammit was betrayed by her fellow Ennead and her own Avatar, Alexander the Great, and was imprisoned in the ushabti by the Ennead Council. The Council tasked Senfu with hiding the ushabti in the Tomb of Alexander the Great, without disclosing its location, in fear that any Ennead might have a mercy to bring Ammit back.^[5]

Learn more here.

Ammit in My Writing

Ammit is everything scant mythological sources have to say about her: able to swallow a human heart in one gulp; has the head of a crocodile, the body of a lion, and the hindquarters of a hippopotamus; is merciless to evildoers. But she is also able to transform into her human form, which is just as formidable as she is an excellent fighter. Though she is connected more to Osiris in mythology, she is actually best friends with Anubis and they hang out together when not working. Neither enjoy being worshipped by mortals and both are ignored and despised by the other gods in equal measure. She prefers to stay in the Duat and in her animal form.

As she eats the soul of a bad person, this song came into my head (especially the lyrics):

See this immortal in action in my writing:

Over the Hills and Far Away (Irascible Immortals #7)

Remember that you can request all of my books from your local library!

I hope you learned something new. Where did you hear about Ammit for the first time? Any stories about her you’d like to share? Check out my Pinterest board dedicated to her.

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