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What was the opening of the mouth ceremony in ancient Egypt?

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Side view of the Sphinx with the Great Pyramid of Khufu rising behind it on the Giza Plateau near Cairo, Egypt. — ancient Egypt Side view of the Sphinx with the Great Pyramid of Khufu (Cheops) rising in the background, Giza, Egypt.

The "Opening of the Mouth" was a vital reanimation rite in ancient Egyptian religion designed to prepare the deceased for the afterlife. By performing this ceremony, the mummy or a statue of the deceased was believed to be endowed with the life and power necessary to breathe, eat, and enjoy the daily funeral services conducted at the tomb.12

During the ritual, which was performed at the entrance of the tomb, specially qualified priests would place the mummy in an upright position. They touched the face of the deceased with an adz while reciting a proclamation, such as: "thy mouth is opened by Horus with his little finger, with which he also opened the mouth of his father Osiris".2

This ceremony symbolized the death and regeneration concepts found in the Osiris myth, in which the god was restored to life. While the rite was essential for the deceased, it was also performed on statues of gods within temples as part of their daily rituals.1