13 Facts About Anubis the Egyptian God

Anubis is an ancient Egyptian deity who played an important role in their mythology and religion. He was a god of the dead, mummification, and embalming, and was often depicted as a man with the head of a jackal or dog.

Anubis was believed to have weighed the hearts of the deceased against the feather of Ma’at to determine their worthiness for the afterlife, and was also responsible for guiding them through the underworld.

He was closely associated with the god Osiris and was one of the most important gods in ancient Egyptian mythology. Anubis remains a popular figure in modern culture, and his image can often be seen in art, literature, and film.

Anubis Facts

1. Anubis was an ancient Egyptian god of the dead, mummification, and embalming

Anubis was an ancient Egyptian god of the dead, mummification, and embalming.

He was a very important deity in the Egyptian pantheon, and was closely associated with death and the afterlife.

2. He was often depicted as a man with the head of a jackal or dog

He was often depicted as a man with the head of a jackal or dog.

Anubis

This is because jackals were often seen around tombs and burial sites in ancient Egypt, and were therefore associated with death and the afterlife.

The jackal-headed form of Anubis also reflected his role as a protector of the dead.

3. Anubis was the one who weighed the hearts of the deceased against the feather of Ma’at

The ancient Egyptians believed that Anubis was the one who weighed the hearts of the deceased against the feather of Ma’at to determine whether they were worthy of entering the afterlife.

Anubis and the Weighing of the Heart

This judgment was a crucial part of the Egyptian belief system, as it determined the fate of the deceased in the afterlife.

If a person’s heart was found to be heavier than the feather of Ma’at, they were deemed unworthy and were not allowed to enter the afterlife.

4. Anubis was also responsible for protecting the tombs of the dead

Anubis was also responsible for protecting the tombs of the dead and guiding them through the underworld.

His role as a protector and guide was especially important because the ancient Egyptians believed that the dead needed to navigate a series of dangerous obstacles and challenges in order to reach the afterlife.

5. Anubis was one of the earliest gods in the Egyptian pantheon

The worship of Anubis dates back to the Old Kingdom period of ancient Egypt, around 2686–2181 BC.

Anubis was one of the earliest gods in the Egyptian pantheon, and his worship continued throughout the pharaonic period and into the Ptolemaic and Roman eras.

Anubis was one of the most important gods in the Egyptian religion, and his influence can be seen in many aspects of ancient Egyptian culture, from art and literature to religious rituals and practices.

6. Anubis was closely associated with the god Osiris

Anubis was closely associated with the god Osiris, who was the lord of the underworld.

Also Read: Osiris Facts

The two gods were often depicted together, and Anubis was seen as one of Osiris’ chief assistants in his role as lord of the dead.

7. He was often depicted wearing a ribbon and holding a flail

Anubis was often depicted wearing a ribbon and holding a flail, which were symbols of authority and power.

The God Anubis

The ribbon was a symbol of divine authority, while the flail was a symbol of agricultural abundance and divine power.

8. Anubis was one of the most important gods in ancient Egyptian mythology

Anubis was one of the most important gods in ancient Egyptian mythology, and he was also one of the most widely worshiped.

His cult was particularly strong in the city of Memphis, which was an important religious center in ancient Egypt.

Anubis was also worshiped in other parts of Egypt, and his popularity continued to grow throughout the pharaonic period.

9. Anubis was believed to have a wife named Anput

Anubis was believed to have a wife named Anput, who was also a goddess of the dead.

Anput was often depicted as a woman with the head of a jackal, similar to her husband. She was also associated with mummification and embalming, and was sometimes depicted as a protector of the dead alongside Anubis.

The cult of Anput was particularly strong in the city of Cynopolis, which was named after her.

10. Anubis was sometimes referred to as the “Opener of the Way”

Anubis was sometimes referred to as the “Opener of the Way” because he was responsible for opening the mouth of the deceased so they could speak in the afterlife.

This was a crucial part of the mummification process, as the Egyptians believed that the dead needed their mouths to be opened in order to speak and eat in the afterlife.

11. Anubis was also associated with the color black

Anubis was also associated with the color black, which symbolized death and the underworld.

This association is reflected in the black color of the jackal, which was the animal associated with Anubis.

In ancient Egyptian art, Anubis was often depicted wearing a black kilt or robe.

12. Anubis had no dedicated temple

Anubis was one of the few Egyptian gods who did not have a temple dedicated solely to him. Instead, he was often worshiped in association with other gods, particularly Osiris.

Anubis’ role as a protector of the dead also meant that he was often worshiped in the context of funerary rituals and ceremonies.

13. Hermes was often equated with Anubis

The Greek god Hermes was often equated with Anubis, as they were both gods of the dead and messengers of the gods.

This association was particularly strong during the Ptolemaic period of ancient Egypt, when the Greek and Egyptian cultures were heavily intertwined.

In art and literature from this period, Hermes and Anubis are often depicted together, or one is shown wearing the clothing or symbols of the other.