Ashwin Lewis
Ancient Egyptians had a complex relationship with sleep, which they considered akin to a 'near-death experience'. They believed that sleep granted access to the afterlife and enabled communication with the dead and the gods. Ancient Egyptians also had unique sleeping arrangements, including beds with a raised head and footboards to prevent sleepers from sliding off. To combat Egypt's hot climate, they would soak their blankets in water before bed to keep cool.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ancient Egyptians' beliefs about sleep | Sleep was considered a near-death experience, akin to death, or a way to communicate with the dead and the gods |
| Ancient Egyptians' beds | Wooden frames with leather or linen stretched across them; some beds were slanted with a footboard to prevent sliding off |
| Pillows | Not commonly used; headrests made of wood or other hard materials were used instead, believed to magically protect the sleeper |
| Blankets | Soaked in water before bed to stay cool |
| Modern interpretation of 'sleeping like an Egyptian' | Sleeping on an incline, with the head raised above the feet, is believed to have health benefits such as reducing inflammation and making it easier to get in and out of bed |
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What You'll Learn
Ancient Egyptians believed sleep was akin to death
The phrase "sleep like an Egyptian" may refer to the Ancient Egyptians' complex beliefs surrounding sleep and death.
Sleep was a taboo subject for the Ancient Egyptians, akin to death, which they also avoided referring to directly. They believed that sleep was a 'near-death experience', a daily death of sorts, in which a person entered a different state or world, and their soul (or 'ba') could travel beyond their physical body. This is reflected in their hieroglyphics, where the ba is depicted as a human-headed bird floating above the sleeping body.
The Ancient Egyptians were strong believers in the afterlife, and sleep was considered a way to access this mysterious world and communicate with the dead and the gods. They believed dreams served as oracles, bringing messages from the gods that could guide their actions, from curing an illness to deciding when to wage war. To receive divine guidance, they would travel to sanctuaries or shrines, where they slept on special dream beds.
The Ancient Egyptians also had a variety of prayers, charms, and spells to protect people, especially children, from harm during sleep. Mothers, for instance, would use spells to prevent demons from stealing their infants' breath while they slept.
The Ancient Egyptians' beliefs about sleep and death are further evidenced by the importance they placed on headrests, which were believed to confer protection and prevent decapitation in the afterlife. The headrest's design, a slope, may also have been intended to improve dream content and quality, promoting calm and peaceful dreams.
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They slept on inclined beds
The phrase "sleep like an Egyptian" may refer to the ancient Egyptian belief that sleep was akin to a "near-death experience." Sleep and dreams were strongly associated with death and the supernatural. Ancient Egyptians believed that each person had five bodies, including the "'ba' or soul, which could travel beyond the physical body during sleep.
Now, onto the focus of your query: "They slept on inclined beds."
Indeed, ancient Egyptians slept on beds that were inclined or slanted, with the head angled upwards. These beds were raised off the floor and had a footboard to prevent sleepers from sliding off. This practice was not unique to ancient Egypt, as old Eurasian cultures also had various ways of raising the head in bed.
The use of inclined beds has been linked to several health benefits. Sleeping on an incline makes it easier to get in and out of bed and is said to aid in brain detoxification by allowing gravity to draw out heavy metals from the brain. Additionally, sleeping with an elevated head can help stop mouth breathing.
The ancient Egyptians also had unique practices related to their bedding and pillows. Wealthier Egyptians, such as pharaohs, slept on wooden frames with leather or linen stretched across them. Egyptians generally did not use soft pillows but instead utilized headrests made of hard materials like wood. These headrests were believed to provide magical protection to the sleeper, both during sleep and after death.
Furthermore, to combat the heat, ancient Egyptians employed the "'Egyptian Method'" of sleeping, which involved soaking their blankets in water before going to bed to stay cool.
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They used wooden headrests, not pillows
The phrase "sleep like an Egyptian" may refer to the ancient Egyptian practice of using wooden headrests instead of pillows. While the ancient Egyptians are believed to have viewed sleep as akin to a "'near-death experience'", they also seemed to have had a variety of practices and beliefs surrounding sleep.
Firstly, the ancient Egyptians did not use pillows as far as we know. Instead, they used headrests made of wood or other hard materials. These headrests served both practical and magical functions. Practically, they provided support for the head while sleeping, and in hot climates, they allowed air to flow under the head and cool the sleeper. They were also believed to protect the sleeper magically, both during sleep and eternally after death.
The use of headrests may have been influenced by cultural expressions involving elaborate hairstyles, as they helped to protect coiffures during sleep. Additionally, sleeping on an incline, with the head angled upwards, was a common practice in ancient Egypt, particularly among the wealthy. This may have been for comfort and ease of getting in and out of bed, as well as for potential health benefits such as reducing inflammation and avoiding mouth breathing.
The ancient Egyptians also had unique beliefs about sleep and its connection to the supernatural. They believed that sleep was similar to death, in which a person entered a different state or world. They considered each person to have five bodies, including the "'ba' or soul", which could travel beyond the physical body during sleep. Dreams were strongly associated with the supernatural, and the ancient Egyptians believed that gods could show themselves in dreams, delivering important messages and guidance. Various prayers, charms, and spells were used to keep people safe during sleep, especially children.
Overall, the phrase "sleep like an Egyptian" may refer to the unique sleeping practices and beliefs of the ancient Egyptians, including the use of wooden headrests and the cultural significance of sleep and dreams.
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They soaked their blankets in water to stay cool
The phrase "sleep like an Egyptian" may refer to a unique aspect of ancient Egyptian sleep culture: the practice of soaking blankets in water before bedtime to stay cool. This method, known as the "Egyptian Method," is a simple yet effective way to combat heat and improve sleep quality, especially in warm climates.
In ancient Egypt, the climate could be extremely hot, and sleeping comfortably was a challenge. Egyptians often lived in houses with few or no windows, which could make their living spaces stuffy and warm. To counteract this, they employed various strategies, including sleeping on rooftops, using headrests instead of pillows, and most notably, adopting the "Egyptian Method" of cooling their bedding.
The "Egyptian Method" involved soaking blankets in water before retiring for the night. By doing so, the Egyptians could take advantage of the cooling effects of evaporation. This method was particularly useful for those who did not have access to modern conveniences like air conditioning or electric fans. While the practice may seem unusual to some, it is a practical solution to sleeping in hot environments.
Today, people can adapt this ancient technique to their modern sleeping arrangements. Instead of soaking a blanket, one can soak a sheet, a large bath towel, or a t-shirt in water and then sleep without another blanket on top to maximize the cooling effect. This modern variation on the ancient Egyptian practice can provide a comfortable and cool sleeping experience without the inconvenience of a dripping wet blanket.
Additionally, the ancient Egyptians are known for their use of headrests, typically made of wood, instead of pillows. These headrests served both practical and magical purposes. They elevated the head and neck, allowing air to flow underneath and cool the sleeper. Furthermore, the headrests were believed to provide magical protection to the sleeper, both during sleep and eternally after death.
In conclusion, the phrase "sleep like an Egyptian" can be interpreted as adopting ancient Egyptian strategies for comfortable sleep in warm climates. The "Egyptian Method" of soaking blankets in water and the use of headrests are testaments to the ingenuity of ancient Egyptian sleep culture, offering practical solutions to common sleep challenges that are still relevant and useful today.
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Dreams were strongly associated with the supernatural
The phrase "sleep like an Egyptian" may refer to the ancient Egyptian practice of soaking blankets in water before bed to stay cool. This method is still used today, with some opting to soak a t-shirt and wear it to bed instead.
Now, onto the role of dreams in ancient Egyptian culture. Dreams were strongly associated with the supernatural in ancient Egypt. The ancient Egyptians believed that dreams were a direct line of communication from the gods, bringing messages that required careful interpretation. They also believed that dreams were like oracles, providing divine revelation and guidance in their lives. For example, dreams could help them decide where to build a new temple or when to wage war.
Dreams were also associated with death and the afterlife. The ancient Egyptians believed that each person had five bodies, including the “ba,” or soul, which could travel beyond the physical body during sleep. Sleep was, therefore, viewed as similar to death, a state in which a person is in a different world. This belief is reflected in the ancient Egyptian word for "dream," "resut," which means "awakening."
Dream interpretation was considered extremely important, especially when dreams involved pharaohs and gods. Pharaoh-related dreams were considered particularly significant because pharaohs were seen as god-kings, bridging the gap between the divine and human worlds. Dreams about pharaohs were thought to be messages from the gods, offering access to heavenly counsel and assistance.
To aid in dream interpretation, the ancient Egyptians had a well-developed system of dream symbolism. For example, seeing oneself with a more beautiful face than one actually had was considered auspicious, while seeing a cat could signify betrayal. They also had a variety of prayers, charms, and spells to protect people from nightmares, which were blamed on hostile demons and the dead. Bedposts, headboards, and headrests were often decorated with spells for good sleep or images of guardian genii wielding weapons to protect the sleeper.
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Frequently asked questions
Sleeping like an Egyptian involves sleeping on an inclined bed, with your head angled upwards.
Sleeping on an incline has many health benefits, such as reducing inflammation in the body and improving brain detoxification.
The ancient Egyptians believed sleep to be a near-death experience. They also believed that the soul could travel beyond the physical body during sleep. As such, they used prayers, charms, and spells to keep themselves and their children safe during sleep.
Ancient Egyptians used to soak their blankets in water before going to bed to keep themselves cool while they slept. They also slept on wooden headrests, which were believed to magically protect the sleeper at night and eternally after death.
