Khaberni - The ancient Egyptians treated onions with a state of reverence and sanctity, believing they held secrets and remarkable manifestations that symbolize the circular rings as the origin of the universe and the layers of heavens and earth, and as a perfect companion accompanying the deceased on their journey to the afterlife, according to their beliefs.
This is revealed by researcher Dr. Mohamed Ahmed Ibrahim in his book "Scribbles in Egyptian Folk Heritage", published by the Egyptian Public Authority for Cultural Palaces, who notes that "the Pharaohs did not only use it as a strengthening and revitalizing food for the pyramid-building workers, but also placed it in coffins believing it would help the deceased breathe upon resurrection."
Linguistically, it is believed that its name evolved from "Badger" or "Basr" until it became "Bosla", and it is linked by myths to the story of healing a king’s son, where the physicians were unable to treat him until a priest of "Amun" ordered placing an onion under the child's head and hanging bundles of it on doors to ward off "evil spirits".
Since then, hanging onions over home entrances became a popular ritual still existing in some rural areas of Egypt today, symbolizing optimism and protection against envy and witchcraft.
Onions held a central position in the life of the ancient Egyptians; they were not just a dietary element but also a religious and medical symbol rooted in their civilization, and it was believed that its strong scent and ability to refresh stifled breaths granted "the breath of life" to the deceased.
From here, onions appeared intensively in funeral offerings, and were depicted on the walls of temples and tombs, and their remains were found inside the mummy wrappings, where they were placed in body cavities or over the eyes and ears to help the deceased regain their senses in the afterlife.
Nutritionally, it was the most popular crop alongside bread and lentils, relied upon by the workers who built the pyramids and temples as a primary source of energy and endurance, due to its ease of cultivation and year-round availability.
In ancient medicine, it was mentioned in the "Ebers Papyrus" as an effective treatment for many ailments, where it was used as a natural antibiotic to accelerate wound healing, treat digestive and respiratory disorders, expel parasites, and even for insect bites.
Onion's presence did not stop at the dining table or in medicine, but it was linked to religious rituals and national celebrations, and most notably "Sham el-Nessim", in a continued ritual, where they would wear bundles of onions around their necks in a joyful display.
Kings and priests would offer onions to the deity of the deceased in the ancient Egyptian capital "Memphis", as an expression of renewal and rebirth.
