The Egyptians are extremely religious, more so than any other people. Religion shapes almost every part of their daily life. Their customs, clothing, food, and personal habits are closely connected to their beliefs about purity and respect for the gods. Because of this, they follow many strict rules and ceremonies that may seem excessive to outsiders.
Daily Cleanliness and Ritual Purity
One of the most important religious practices among the Egyptians is cleanliness. They drink from cups made of bronze, and these cups are carefully cleaned every single day without exception. Cleanliness is not optional; it is a religious duty Ephesus Sightseeing Tours.
Their clothing also reflects this belief. Egyptians wear garments made of linen, and they take great care to keep these clothes freshly washed at all times. Linen is considered pure and suitable for religious life.
Circumcision is another important practice. The Egyptians follow it not for beauty, but for cleanliness. They believe it is better to be clean than merely attractive. This idea of physical purity is closely tied to spiritual purity.
The Strict Life of the Priests
The priests live under even stricter rules than ordinary people. Every other day, they shave their entire bodies. This includes their heads and all body hair. They do this so that no lice, dirt, or any unclean thing may touch them while they are serving the gods.
The priests wear only linen clothing and shoes made from the papyrus plant. It is forbidden for them to wear garments or shoes made from any other material. These rules are strictly followed and never broken.
Bathing is also a major part of priestly life. The priests bathe twice during the day and twice during the night, always using cold water. Along with these baths, they observe countless ceremonies and religious duties. Their daily lives are filled with ritual actions meant to honor the gods and maintain purity How Egyptian Customs Differ from Other Lands.
Food Provided by the Temples
Although the priests live under strict rules, they also enjoy certain benefits. They do not have to spend their own money on food or daily needs. They are not allowed to use their personal property for such purposes.
Every day, bread is baked for them using sacred grain. Each priest also receives a generous portion of beef and goose meat, as well as a supply of wine made from grapes. These provisions are given to them by the temples and are considered offerings from the gods.
However, there are also strict limits on what they may eat. Fish is completely forbidden to them. Beans are also considered unclean. In fact, no Egyptian plants beans or eats them, whether raw or cooked. Priests will not even look at beans, as they believe this type of food is impure.
Organization of the Priesthood
In Egypt, each god is not served by a single priest but by a group of priests, known as a college. This group works together to perform religious duties. At the head of each group is a chief priest who holds the highest authority.
When a chief priest dies, his position does not pass to a stranger. Instead, his son takes his place. This keeps religious knowledge and authority within the same family and ensures continuity in worship.
