Significance of Bread-cakes
Bread-cakes in ancient Egypt held significant cultural and religious importance. They were considered food for deities like Ra, the UTAU, and gods in the Temple of Tem, often paired with offerings like water and meat. Bread-cakes symbolized sustenance and divine favor, provided to those deemed worthy, including the gods in the Tuat and those who spoke truthfully. They also appear in daily life, prepared for individuals like Sanehat, highlighting their role as a staple food item.
Synonyms: Loaves
The below excerpts are indicatory and do represent direct quotations or translations. It is your responsibility to fact check each reference.
Classical concept of 'Bread-cakes'
From: The Book of Gates
(1) A type of food that is consumed by the souls who are in the Lake of Serser.[1] (2) The food of the gods consists of bread-cakes, tchesert ale, and libations of water, signifying sustenance and offerings made to these divine beings in the Tuat.[2] (3) Bread cakes are ordered for them by their gods, with SAR (Osiris) saying that their bread shall be from that which comes forth from their mouths.[3] (4) This food is consumed by those who have spoken what is right and true upon earth; it is also the food of Ra.[4] (5) Bread cakes are the food of the UTAU, made of red grain, along with cool water, and meat is given to them because of the brilliance of their apparel in the Tuat.[5]
From: The Literature of the Ancient Egyptians
(1) Newly baked items that Bata would prepare and set before his elder brother, Anpu, in the morning before going to the fields.[6] (2) Bread-cakes were made for Sanehat each day, along with wine and roasted flesh and wild fowl, as the Shekh showed him very great favour.[7]