2006-06-28 03:22:31 · 11 answers · asked by barnes0515@sbcglobal.net 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
in greek culture and mythology, the coins were their payment to charon, the ferryman over the river styx (to the underworld.) if you didn't have the payment, you couldn't pass on.
the mythology sometimes also refers to the river acheron (as pp mentioned.)
2006-06-28 03:26:22 · answer #1 · answered by kwanyin_mama 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Here's an answer from 2 weeks ago...
Answered by Grendle
2 weeks ago
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker
Ackshally, ahem, ackshally these folks have it partly right.
The practice of putting coins on the eyes is rather recent ... more 16-17th century. The Greeks would put a coin in the dead man's MOUTH so he could pay the fare into the land o' the dead.
The later practice of putting coins over the EYES was for the convenience of the mourners, not the corpse.
Coins were traditional (the "fare"), and the funeral organizers needed something to cover the corpse's eyeholes.
See, pre-refrigeration, eyes were among the first targets of insects looking for dinner, if you'll pardon the indelicacy. Eyes are particularly vulnerable and are among the first body parts to go on an exposed corpse. The coins hid any maggots that might have started chowing down while the family was gathering for the funeral.
Gack.
2006-06-28 03:27:03 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's because it was once believed that in order to get to Hades, you need to cross the river Styx. To do so, you'd need to pay Charon, the ferryman. So, people put coins in dead people's eyes to pay for the fare. I learned that somewhere.
2006-06-28 03:26:30 · answer #3 · answered by psykhaotic 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To pay the ferry man who took the dead across the river styx .
2006-06-28 03:27:59 · answer #4 · answered by ? 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Done in some cultures (like greeks) to pay the ferryman who ferried you across the mythical river Styx to get Hades (hell). Otherwise you get stuck in limbo, as a tormented spirit/ghost.
I guess it was seen as better to go to hell than to be in limbo/purgatory
2006-06-28 03:29:07 · answer #5 · answered by Nadira V 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Bacause it was said that Charon (Death) crossed them over the other side of the river Acheron, where the dead were, when people died and he had to be paid for that. (in ancient greek mythology that is)
2006-06-28 03:26:13 · answer #6 · answered by metafrastria 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
so that when they got into heaven, they could give the angel the coins, that is what they used to believe..heaven was like riding a bus, you have to pay to get in..
2006-06-28 03:27:51 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
To make sure they stay closed.
2006-06-28 03:27:30 · answer #8 · answered by survivor 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it was to pay the ferry man.
2006-06-28 03:26:28 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
tell me more about it
2006-06-28 03:25:25 · answer #10 · answered by jackass 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋