Heartfelt Tribute to the Heart

Be it the emoji or the real organ, the heart holds a special place in our culture. World Heart Day (29 September) celebrates the special organ that pumps blood relentlessly, day in and day out, and this is a good time to have a heart-to-heart conversation about the heart!

The Weight of the Heart

The ancient Egyptians thought highly of the heart – so much so that it was the only organ spared during the mummification process. It was considered as the single most important organ – the seat of emotions, wisdom and memory. The heart was also important for the afterlife. Otherwise, what answer can the person give during the judgement of the dead, when God Anubis would weigh the heart against the feather of Ma’at! If the heart was lighter or equal to the feather, the deceased was deemed worthy for the afterlife. If it was heavier, the person faced an oblivion of chaos. Dying with a heavy heart back then was never a good idea.

Get the digital edition of the September 2024 issue to read the full article.