God Anubis is one of the most recognizable figures in the pantheon of ancient Egyptian deities. Often depicted as a jackal-headed god, Anubis played a crucial role in the realm of the dead, guiding souls to the afterlife and overseeing the embalming process. In this comprehensive article, we delve into the multifaceted nature of Anubis, exploring his origins, symbolism, religious significance, and cultural impact in ancient Egypt.

Who was God Anubis?

Anubis was one of the most famous gods in ancient Egypt. He was the god of mummification and the guardian of the necropolis. He was the chief god of the 17th Nome of Upper Egypt, known as Cynopolis. Anubis was depicted either as a jackal or having a human body with the head of a jackal. He was painted in black because of his association with the death and resurrection.   

A regal portrayal of God Anubis

Why did the ancient Egyptians worship Anubis?

In ancient Egypt, the Egyptians used to worship some animals to avoid their harm. This happened to the jackal because it used to dig the grave and to disturb the corpse or the body of the deceased. So, to avoid the harm of the jackal, it was considered as guardian of the necropolis and god of mummification. It was worshipped under the name of Anubis, which means ‘royal child’.

Ancient devotion to Anubis

Names of God Anubis

Exploring Anubis’ various titles

Anubis God was also known in ancient Egypt as Anpu, Inpu, Ienpw, and Imeut (Lord of the Place of Embalming). Anubis supported the practice of mummification and the afterlife for the dead. Anubis was regarded as a man with a jackal- head like an animal.

Anubis’ name comes to us as a Greek translation of his Egyptian name, like many other deities in the Egyptian pantheon. 

Anubis had many Titles, including:

• Counter of Hearts
• The First of the Westerners
• Lord of the Mummy Wrapping
• Chief of the Western Highland (the land of the dead was thought to be in the west, where the sunset) 
• Chief of the Necropolis
• Prince of the Court of Justice
• Master of Secrets
• The One Who Eats His Father
• The Dog Who Swallows Millions

Origin and Family of God Anubis

Anubis was one of the first gods in the Egyptian pantheon, and his mythology was complex and occasionally contradictory. As the first chief god of the dead, Anubis was a son of God Ra. 

Anubis was supposedly the son of God Set or Bastet, according to a number of different mythologies. Anubis had a younger brother in “The Tale of Two Brothers” named Bata. 

In myths that consider him the son of Osiris, Anubis had numerous brothers, including Horus, Sopdet, Babi, and Wepwawet. 

Exploring Anubis’ divine lineage

Anubis God Symbolism

Anubis was portrayed with the color black, symbolizing regeneration and the Nile River’s fertile soil. He was one of the most commonly represented deities in Egyptian art and appeared as early as the First Dynasty in royal tombs. Craftsmen frequently included Anubis on the coffins of royalty and the elite. Most commonly, he appeared in art with the body of a man and the head of a jackal with pointy ears. He was also depicted in full canine form in all black. Anubis is often depicted holding a crook and flail, symbolizing authority. He was seen as the primary god associated with death during the Old Kingdom until the 4th Dynasty. Anubis then replaced him as the main god of death and resurrection.

Unraveling the symbols of Anubis

Roles of God Anubis

Anubis’ duties in the afterlife

I. Embalmer

As my-wt “He who is in the residence of embalming”, Anubis was connected with mummification. He was also entitled ḫnty zḥ-nṯr, “He who supervises over the god’s booth”, which refers to the place where embalming was held out or the burial chamber of the pharaoh.

Anubis assisted Isis in embalming Osiris in the myth. Osiris’s organs were probably offered to Anubis as a gift when Set killed him, according to the Osiris myth that first surfaced. This connection made Anubis embalmer’s patron deity.

II. Protector of tombs

God Anubis acted as a protector of tombs and cemeteries. His name was given a multitude of epithets in Egyptian literature and inscriptions that made references to that role.

Khenty Amentiu, which means “foremost of the westerners” and was also related to a different canine funerary god, indicated his protective role as the dead were buried on the west bank of the Nile.

He took other names connected with his funerary role, such as tpy ḏw.f (Tepy djuef), “He who is upon his mountain” (keeping guard over tombs from above), and nb t3 ḏsr (Neb ta djeser), “Lord of the sacred land”, which describes him as the god of the necropolis.

III. Guide of Souls

The “weighing of the heart,” as described in Hunefer’s book of the Dead. Under the watchful eye of the ibis-headed Thoth, Anubis is shown moving the corpse ahead and adjusting the scales. In 664-332 BC, By the end of the Pharaonic era, Anubis was commonly seen helping people cross the border between the world of lives and the netherworld. 

IV. Weigher of Hearts

A portion of the Papyrus of Ani depicts the “weighing of the heart,” with God Anubis controlling the scales and balancing the departed person’s heart against Maat’s feather of truth.

 

 Anubis God without Temples

There wasn’t a large temple discovered by archaeologists yet that is devoted to this god. Cemeteries and tombs are his “temples”. His cult’s principal centers were in Asyut (Lycopolis) and Hardai (Cynopolis).  

His name is mentioned in the earliest First Dynasty mastabas (mud-brick tombs), and various temples to the god have been discovered. For instance, at Anubeion, a location east of Saqqara, a shrine and a cemetery filled with mummified dogs and jackals were found. It appears that he was even more important than Osiris at the time of the earliest dynasties. This changed during the Middle Kingdom period, but Anubis was one of the most vital deities in ancient Egypt.

Anubis’ enduring presence

Cult of Anubis, the Egyptian God

The Anubis God cult was widespread and important throughout ancient Egypt. Temples dedicated to Anubis were established in regions such as Saqqara and Cynopolis, where his worship was particularly prominent. These temples served as centers for funerary rituals, offering a place for mourning, remembrance, and the veneration of the god. Priests and priestesses devoted themselves to the service of Anubis, carrying out rituals, offering prayers, and performing sacred rites on behalf of the deceased. They wore distinctive jackal masks during ceremonies, embodying the presence of Anubis and channeling his divine authority.

Unveiling the Anubis cult

Legacy and Cultural Impact of Egyptian God Anubis

The influence of the Egyptian God Anubis can be seen in various aspects of ancient Egyptian culture. His symbolic representations adorned amulets, tomb decorations, and funerary art, highlighting his significance in the journey to the afterlife. Anubis’s image was often carved onto the sarcophagi lids or painted onto the walls of tombs, serving as a protective guardian for the deceased.

Furthermore, Anubis’s enduring cultural impact extended beyond religious and funerary contexts. His role as a psychopomp and guardian of the dead made him a recognizable and respected figure in ancient Egyptian society. His presence offered solace and reassurance to the living, providing a sense of comfort and hope in the face of mortality.

Anubis’s influence also extended to the realm of symbolism. As his animal counterpart, the jackal became associated with death, transformation, and the liminal space between life and the afterlife. This symbolism can be seen in ancient Egyptian art, literature, and religious iconography.

In modern times, the allure of The Egyptian God Anubis continues to captivate people’s imaginations. His distinctive appearance and role as the guardian of the dead have made him a popular figure in popular culture, appearing in books, movies, and various forms of entertainment. Anubis’s iconic image has also been adopted as a symbol in multiple subcultures and artistic expressions, representing mystery, spirituality, and the eternal cycle of life and death.

Anubis’ enduring cultural impact

conclusion

 God Anubis, the enigmatic guide of the underworld in ancient Egypt, held a crucial role in the funerary ceremonies and theories of the ancient Egyptians. From his origins as a jackal-headed deity to his responsibilities as a protector, guide, and judge in the afterlife, Anubis’s presence permeated every aspect of the journey from earthly existence to the realm of the dead. 

His enduring legacy can be seen in the numerous depictions, temples, and cultural representations that continue to captivate our fascination with ancient Egypt. Anubis’s significance as a symbol of death, transformation, and the eternal cycle of life serves as a reminder of the ancient Egyptians’ profound understanding and acceptance of the mysteries of mortality.