The widespread popularity of onions is not limited to modern-day kitchens. There is evidence of onions being used for culinary and medicinal purposes all over the ancient world. Nonetheless, no culture onions quite as much as the ancient Egyptians. For them, the onion was not just food or medicine; it held significant meaning. Onions were considered to be of eternal life. The circle-within-a-circle structure of an onion, for them, the eternity of existence. According to certain documents, ancient Egyptians also used onions for medicinal purposes, but they likely would have viewed the power of the vegetable as magical, rather than medical.
Onions are depicted in many paintings inside pyramids and tombs that span the history of ancient Egypt. They as a funeral offering shown upon the altars of the gods. The dead were buried with onions and onion flowers on or around various of their bodies. Mummies have also been found with onions and onion flowers their pelvis, chest, ears, eyes, and feet.
Some scholars theorize that onions may have been used for the dead because it was believed that their strong scent would the dead to breathe again. Other researchers believe it was because onions were known for their special curative properties, which would be helpful in the afterlife.
