Anubis is one of the most famous gods in ancient Egyptian mythology. He is considered the god of mummification, guardian of tombs, and guide of souls to the afterlife. He is often depicted as a man with the head of a jackal, the animal believed to guard graves in the desert.
He held a special place in Egyptian funerary beliefs, associated with death and burial rituals, including mummification, to ensure the preservation of the body and its preparation for the afterlife. His images appear in many ancient Egyptian tombs and temples.
It was believed that he protected the dead from evil spirits and helped them reach the other world peacefully. His name was also associated with the concept of divine justice, as he was believed to oversee the weighing of the hearts of the dead to determine their fate in the afterlife.
Who is Anubis? And what did he look like?
Anubis is the god of death and mummification in ancient Egyptian mythology. He was considered the protector of tombs and the guide of souls on their journey to the other world. He played a pivotal role in the rituals of mummification and the scales of divine justice, overseeing the trial of the dead and the weighing of their hearts to ensure their passage to eternal life.
His association with the jackal is believed to stem from sightings of it roaming around cemeteries at night, leading ancient Egyptians to believe that it protected the dead. His worship evolved over the ages, initially as a local god associated with the tombs of Abydos, and later becoming a deity of great importance throughout Egypt.
As for his appearance, Anubis was depicted in ancient Egyptian art as a man with the head of a jackal, an animal believed to roam cemeteries and protect them from evil spirits. His black color symbolizes the color of fertile soil, decomposition, and rebirth, not evil as is common in some cultures. He was sometimes depicted wearing a white sash, symbolizing purity and cleansing.
Anubis in Ancient Egyptian Mythology
Anubis is considered one of the most prominent gods in ancient Egyptian mythology. His name was closely associated with the rituals of mummification, death, and the protection of souls in the other world.
He played a central role in funerary beliefs, as it was believed that he protected the body after death, guided souls on their journey to the other world, and oversaw the trial of the dead to ensure they received divine justice.
Egyptian mythology states that Anubis is the son of Osiris and Nephthys, and that Ra gave him the task of mummifying Osiris after Set killed him.
Anubis’s Role in Ancient Egyptian Mummification Rituals
The mummification process in ancient Egypt was complex and required many steps to ensure the proper preservation of the body, and Anubis played a pivotal role in this process. Here are the main steps of mummification and Anubis’s role in them:
- The mummification process begins with cleansing and purifying the body with water and natron. It was believed that Anubis oversaw this process to ensure the complete purification of the body. Priests wore Anubis masks during the mummification process, in reverence for him and to seek his blessing.
- Internal organs such as the liver, lungs, and intestines were removed and preserved in canopic jars, then the body was dried using natron for 40 days. Each canopic jar had a lid bearing the head of one of the four sons of Horus, who were under the protection of Anubis.
- After drying the body, it was anointed with oils and perfumes to preserve the skin and prevent decomposition. These oils and perfumes were made from natural materials such as myrrh, frankincense, and cinnamon.
- The body was then wrapped in linen bandages, and amulets and magical symbols were placed between the bandages to protect the body. These bandages were inscribed with religious texts to help the deceased on their journey to the other world.
- After the body was wrapped, it was placed in a coffin. The coffin was decorated with drawings and inscriptions representing scenes from the deceased’s journey in the other world.
Anubis in Archaeological Discoveries
Anubis is one of the most prominent symbols that appeared in Egyptian archaeological discoveries. Many statues and inscriptions depict him as the god of protection and mummification, which helped scientists understand the beliefs of ancient Egyptians about death and eternal life.
Archaeologists have found many amulets and small statues of Anubis in Egyptian tombs, believed to protect the deceased on their journey to the other world.
Anubis’s Shrine
Anubis’s shrine was found in the tomb of Tutankhamun in the Valley of the Kings in western Thebes. Howard Carter discovered Tutankhamun’s tomb on November 4, 1922, and the Anubis shrine was part of the king’s burial equipment. The presence of Anubis’s shrine in Tutankhamun’s tomb is believed to symbolize the king’s protection on his journey to the other world.
Anubis’s shrine is made of wood and covered with gold leaf, and contains a statue of Anubis in the form of a recumbent jackal. The statue is made of wood and covered with black paint, with gold details in the ears, eyes, and claws. Anubis’s shrine is one of the most important artifacts found in Tutankhamun’s tomb, and is currently on display at the Egyptian Museum in Cairo.
Anubis Statue
A statue of Anubis was found in the tomb of King Horemheb (Tomb 57). The statue is made of cedar wood and painted black, with a gilded plaster collar, gold-inlaid eyes, and copper claws. The Anubis statue is one of the finest examples of the skill of ancient Egyptian artists in sculpting statues.
Anubis is considered a symbol of reckoning and balance in Egyptian mythology, as he oversaw the weighing of the hearts of the dead to determine their fate in the other world. The Anubis statue caused controversy when it was chosen as the icon for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations. Some considered the choice of a statue of the god of death as an icon for the tournament inappropriate.
FAQs
What was Anubis god of?
Anubis was a god in ancient Egyptian mythology because he embodied the concepts of death, protection, and justice in the afterlife. His name was primarily associated with the rituals of mummification and the protection of the dead during their journey to the other world, which are among the most important beliefs that formed the basis of Egyptian religion.
Ancient Egyptians believed that the body must be preserved after death to ensure the survival of the soul, and Anubis was considered responsible for protecting the body from decomposition and guiding souls on their journey to eternal life. His worship was widespread throughout ancient Egypt, and temples and shrines were built for him.
Was Anubis good or bad?
Anubis in ancient Egyptian mythology was not considered good or evil in the traditional sense, but rather a god with a specific and important role in the lives of ancient Egyptians. Anubis was the god of the dead and mummification, and it was believed that he protected the dead and guided them on their journey to the other world.
He was not seen as a frightening or tormenting god, but as a protector and guide for souls on their journey to the other world.
Who killed Anubis?
There is no story or legend indicating his death. As a god, the concept of death for him is different from the concept of death for humans.
Is Anubis a guy or a girl?
Anubis was depicted as a male with the head of a jackal, and was considered the god of the dead and mummification. Anubis was never depicted as a female, but always as a male with the head of a jackal, reflecting his strength and protective role.
His depiction with the head of a jackal may be due to the association of this animal with cemeteries and the sight of it roaming around them at night.
Anubis is an important symbol in ancient Egyptian mythology, embodying the values of protection, justice, and the preservation of souls on their journey to the other world. Thanks to his role in mummification and guiding souls to eternal life, Anubis remained one of the most famous gods in ancient Egyptian civilization, and still represents a symbol of justice and protection today in modern culture. His influence appears in many contemporary works of art and literature, where he is used as a symbol of death, mystery, and the afterlife.