Dec
3
Grave Goods & Votives
Filed Under Book of the Dead, Day of the Dead, Grave Goods & Votives, Pets, Photography, Statues
Throughout history and around the world, people have left goods for the dead. They may be buried with the deceased, or brought to be placed on their grave site throughout the year. These goods are usually personal possessions and supplies. In some belief systems, these may be necessary to ensure that the soul crosses over to the other side unharmed. Others believe that goods improve the deceased's comfort in the afterlife, while others may believe that while the goods may not be usable in the afterlife, the deceased is pleased to see the living remember them by decorating their grave site with things that they enjoyed when alive.
Historically, the grave goods of the Ancient Egyptians are probably best known. They often had every day objects such as bowls, combs, and food. Wealthier Egyptians would also have jewelry, furniture, and small statues of servants, called ushabti, to serve the deceased in the afterlife. Collected spells, written on tomb walls or on scrolls were often included; the spells were to help the deceased in their journey in the afterlife. Eventually these spells were compiled into The Book of Going Forth By Day better known today as The Book of the Dead.
Today, El Día de los Muertos (November 1st & 2nd) is well known, especially in the Americas. November 1st honors deceased children and infants, while the 2nd is for deceased adults. Thus, November 1st is "Día de los Angelitos" (Day of the Little Angels) and November second as "Día de los Difuntos" (Day of the Dead). The 1st of November is also known in some areas as All Saints' Day, and the 2nd as All Souls' Day. Families usually clean the graves, decorate them, and leave offerings, such as orange marigolds, bottled drinks, candy, and food. The spirits of the dead eat the essence of food, so even if the celebrators eat it afterwards, it is believed to lack nutritional value.
Grave offerings are still a common site in the western world when cemeteries do not have rules against it. Statues of dogs and cats often represent pets the deceased had when alive. Are these simply seen by the living as something that makes the site more beautiful and evokes good memories, or are are they akin to the Egyptian ushabti, becoming animate in the afterlife to accompany the souls of their masters?
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