2006-11-04 06:11:46 · 8 answers · asked by rjs12no2 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Other - Society & Culture
Coins over the eyes were meant to pay for the trip to the underworld.
This is a very old ritual still popular in the Mediterranean portion of Europe. It dates back to the Greek Religion. It was changed and adopted by the Roman Christians.
When people died they went to the shores of the river Acheron a river that fed into the river Styx. To get into Hades realm they needed to be transported across the river. If a dead soul tried to swim across then they would lose their memories.
Charon (Chiron) was the soul doomed for eternity to ferry people across. He demanded to be paid for his surfaces. If the person was unable to pay then they spent eternity in a limbo like state. If the family made sure to include a coin with the spirit then that soul would have the money to pay for the trip.
Once ferried across the river Acheron the souls would appear before Hades himself to be judged. Those souls found wanting or with evil would be sentenced to an eternity with various punishments (as outlined in the book by the Italian author Dante). Those souls that were good would be sent to the Elysian Fields.
Originally the dead were buried with a coin under their tongue, but the habit changed to a coin over their eyes during Roman times after the start of Christianity (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_funerals_and_burial). Remember that the eyes are considered the window to the soul; so placing the coins over the eyes makes sure that the soul will have them in the afterlife. Before Christianity became popular the remains of the dead were cremated.
Placing coins over the eyes of the dead is actually a pagan ritual that became ingrained in the Italian culture. It was brought to the US by immigrants, and the ritual became famous in the Godfather movies where Mafia members were buried this way.
2006-11-04 06:40:36 · answer #1 · answered by Dan S 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This Site Might Help You.
RE:
Why did they place coins over dead peoples eyes before burial?
2015-08-15 14:26:15 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Coins On Eyes
2016-09-28 00:37:37 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Years ago this was done to make sure the eyes remained close before burial, who wants a dead person looking up at you? Some think it was some spiritual means but just practical measure.
2006-11-04 06:15:33 · answer #4 · answered by snowmom 2 · 2⤊ 2⤋
The coins are to pay the boat man in order to cross the river styx from limbo to the afterlife...without proper payment, that person will be stuck in limbo.
2006-11-04 06:16:36 · answer #5 · answered by VAWeddingSpecialist 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I was told by a mortician,that if a person died with they eyes shut there eyes stay shut ....rigor mortis-but if they die w/ them open....the rigor sets them as so- so coins were needed to set them closed. but I like to believe the spiritual tale as well.
2016-05-09 01:13:46 · answer #6 · answered by Monica 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
they believed it cost 2 coins (i dont remeber the vaule) to travel the river styx. that lead to the afterlife. without money they could not pass and therefore would be stuck in limbo.
2006-11-04 06:13:37 · answer #7 · answered by ? 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
This is to pay the ferry man called Kharon who took the dead by boat over the river Styx........
2006-11-04 06:17:03 · answer #8 · answered by benny_bull_frog 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
They did not know how to close them If they died with them opened.
2006-11-04 06:14:04 · answer #9 · answered by Sugar 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
So they won't pop open. It was easier than sewing them shut.
2006-11-04 06:15:49 · answer #10 · answered by cybefree 2 · 1⤊ 3⤋