Anubis

What it is

Anubis serves as the guardian of graves and the guide for souls traveling to the afterlife within ancient Egyptian belief. He is most often recognized as a jackal or a human figure wearing a jackal head. His primary duty involves overseeing the transition of the deceased into the realm of the dead. He acts as a protector against tomb desecration and ensures the proper preparation of the body for eternity.

Where it comes from

The worship of Anubis dates back to the First Dynasty around 3100 BC. Early Egyptians associated jackals with cemeteries because these animals scavenged near burial sites. To counter this threat, they chose the jackal as a protective deity. Over time, his role shifted from the primary lord of the dead to a specialist in embalming and soul guidance, especially after Osiris became the ruler of the underworld during the Middle Kingdom.

How it is done

Artists depicted Anubis attending to the deceased during mummification rituals. He was shown weighing the heart of the departed against a feather of truth. This act determined the soul's fate. Priests performing burial rites sometimes wore masks resembling his form. The rituals involved preserving the body with natron and resins, symbolizing regeneration through the color black used in his imagery.

Tools and materials

He is associated with the Imiut fetish, an object linked to the embalming process. He holds a crook and flail, symbols of authority. A golden scale represents his role in judging the dead. His depiction in black signifies the fertile soil of the Nile and the discoloration of the corpse after treatment. These items mark his function as both a preserver of the body and a judge of character.

What it is for

People sought his protection for their tombs and bodies. He ensured the safe passage of souls to the afterlife. The weighing of the heart determined if a person could enter the realm of the dead. Those deemed worthy received eternal life, while the unworthy faced destruction. His presence provided comfort that the deceased would be judged fairly and guided correctly.

Who does it

No living priesthood performs his rites today. Ancient embalmers and priests acted on his behalf during funerals. He was viewed as a divine specialist rather than a general household deity. Scholars study his iconography and texts to understand ancient Egyptian views on death. His status remained high throughout pharaonic history despite changes in theological focus.

Peoples and places

The ancient Egyptians worshipped him across all periods. Greeks later merged him with Hermes, creating Hermanubis. This syncretism spread his image into Roman and Hellenistic cultures. Different regions held varying myths about his parentage, linking him to Ra, Set, or Osiris. Despite these variations, his core function as a guide and protector remained consistent among the Egyptian people.

What people believe

He operated within a worldview where physical preservation matched spiritual survival. Black represented rebirth and the fertile Nile silt. The weighing of the heart reflected a moral code where truth outweighed sin. Souls were believed to face judgment immediately after death. Anubis enforced this cosmic order, ensuring that only those who lived rightly could proceed to the afterlife.

When it is done

His rites were performed during funerals and burial ceremonies. His presence was required whenever a death occurred. The timing of his worship was tied to the lifecycle of the individual and the immediate needs of the deceased rather than seasonal agricultural cycles.

How scholars and sceptics see it

Historians note his evolution from a fearsome predator to a benevolent guide. Anthropologists view his jackal form as a practical response to local wildlife threats. Researchers observe how Greek writers reinterpreted him as Hermes. Modern scholars analyze his titles to understand the administrative structure of the afterlife in ancient Egyptian theology.

Compare and confuse

He is often confused with Wepwawet, another jackal-headed god. While Wepwawet had grey or white fur, Anubis was always black. Both deities share canine features but differ in symbolism. He is also compared to the Greek Hades due to his underworld association. However, he functions more like Hermes as a psychopomp rather than a ruler of the dead.

Law and persecution

Ancient laws protected tombs and prescribed severe penalties for robbery. Desecration was considered a crime against the gods. Modern legal systems do not recognize his authority. His worship ceased with the decline of ancient Egyptian religion. Today, his image is protected as cultural heritage under international law regarding archaeological sites.

Rites that involve Anubis

Questions people ask about Anubis

Good reading and sources

• Encyclopaedia BritannicaArticle

• Anubis on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
• Wikidata recordOpen data