Sky Burial
Death is inescapable, even in the kingdom of a thousand wonders; however, for many, it is just the beginning of another journey. Soon after a death, be it by age, sickness or by accident, relatives and embalmers begin preparations for the departure of the deceased. They are bathed in fragrant oils and adorned with silken robes, embroidered with symbols showing their life’s journey. Then, the body is carried out into the desert,the place where all things have begun and all things will end, where the sky meets the earth and the stars watch over all.
Upon reaching the burial site, the body is placed upon a simple wooden platform, usually made from driftwood. Family and close friends gather, their voices rising in chants and prayers that echo into the desert winds, invoking the spirits of the ancestors and the names of the gods.
A kaharan saying stating that someone has died at peace with the gods.
Sky burials are performed as a sign of respect by the Kaharan people to the gods and the land itself, a gesture of gratitude to earth and sky. They serve as a reminder that life and death are part of an eternal cycle, and that the soul’s journey does not end with death but continues on the river of souls until all souls are juged by the gods. Each sky burial is a time for reflection, remembrance and joy, a celebration of a new beginning and a life well lived.
On vultures wings...
A kaharan saying stating that someone has died at peace with the gods.
Vultures, wise guardians of the sky, revered as the sacred creatures of the Goddess of Death, are soon to join this rite. As the descend upon the body, they release the soul from its earthly shackles, allowing it to leave behind their old shell.
On the vultures wings, the soul, now free of its burdens, is then carried to the river of souls where the long journey to the celestial realms begins. .
On the vultures wings, the soul, now free of its burdens, is then carried to the river of souls where the long journey to the celestial realms begins. .
It is customary to honor the deceased during the next celebration of the River of Souls festival. Usually, one person close to the deceased is elected to tell a story and share an anecdote. If someone outside the family is elected to do this, its considered a sign of great honor and not to be rejected.
The article reminds me very much of the towers of silence in Iran, which were still used for air burial until the 70s (until the Shah banned their use). At the same time, I get strong memories of Dune and the Dorne region in George R.R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire. The description of the events fits perfectly with the content to be presented; and the graphics are breathtaking. The constructed proverb rounds off the overall impression perfectly. Only one question "to the celestial realms begins. ." Does the second point have any meaning, or should it have been three points in a row to inspire further thoughts on the subject?
The towers of silence were actually the main source of inspiration for this, really glad somebody caught on. I found the custom super interesting and wanted to add my own spin on it. Thank you so much for your kind words and praise! (also, the second . is indeed a leftover from an edit and will be removed)