Anubis is the ancient Egyptian god of mummification, the afterlife, and the protection of tombs, most often depicted as a black jackal or a man with a jackal’s head. He guided souls into the underworld and weighed their hearts against the feather of truth to judge their worthiness for the afterlife.
Origins and Early Worship
Anubis’s worship predates that of Osiris, the more famous god of the dead. In the Old Kingdom (c. 2686–2181 BCE), Anubis was considered the supreme god of the dead, and his name appears in the Pyramid Texts as a protector of the deceased king. His cult center was at Cynopolis (literally “Dog City”), located in the 17th nome of Upper Egypt, and he was also closely associated with the necropolis of Abydos.
Over time, as the Osiris myth grew in prominence, Anubis’s role shifted. He became the attendant who embalmed Osiris and oversaw the mummification of the dead, while Osiris took over as ruler of the underworld. This transition is reflected in the Book of the Dead, where Anubis is called “He Who Is Upon His Mountain” and “Lord of the Sacred Land.”
Appearance and Symbols
Anubis is almost always shown with the head of a jackal and the body of a man, though he can appear fully animal. The jackal was a fitting symbol because these scavengers were commonly seen around desert graves, and the ancient Egyptians associated them with protection of the dead. His black color is significant: black symbolized fertility, rebirth, and the rich soil of the Nile, not death or evil. He is often depicted holding an ankh (the symbol of life) or a flail, and he is frequently shown attending the mummy or standing beside the scales of judgment.
Role in the Afterlife
Anubis’s most important duty was the Weighing of the Heart ceremony, also known as the Judgment of the Dead. According to spell 125 of the Book of the Dead, the deceased’s heart was placed on one side of a balance scale, and the feather of Ma’at (truth and cosmic order) on the other. Anubis is depicted adjusting the scale, while Thoth, the god of writing, records the result. If the heart was lighter than the feather, the soul was deemed worthy and could enter the Field of Reeds. If it was heavier, the heart was devoured by Ammit, a fearsome creature that was part lion, hippopotamus, and crocodile, and the soul ceased to exist.
Anubis also oversaw the mummification process. The Embalming Ritual included prayers and spells addressed to him, and the priest who performed the mummification often wore a jackal mask to represent Anubis. The god was believed to protect the mummy from harm and to ensure that the deceased was properly prepared for the journey to the afterlife.
Mythology and Family
Anubis’s parentage varies in different texts. In the earliest sources, he is the son of Ra, the sun god. Later, in the Pyramid Texts, he is called the son of Osiris and Nephthys, though Nephthys was the wife of Set. One myth explains that Nephthys, disguised as Isis, seduced Osiris and gave birth to Anubis. In this version, Isis raised him as her own, which is why he is sometimes called the son of Isis. In other accounts, he is the son of Set or even of Bastet, the cat goddess.
His primary consort is Anput, a goddess who is essentially his female counterpart, and together they are sometimes said to have a daughter named Kebechet, who was associated with the purification of the dead. These family ties were not fixed, and different cult centers emphasized different genealogies.
Worship and Cult Centers
Anubis was worshipped throughout Egypt, but his main cult centers were at Cynopolis, Abydos, and Saqqara. At Saqqara, the step pyramid complex of Djoser includes a temple dedicated to Anubis, and the Serapeum, the burial place of the sacred Apis bulls, was also associated with him. Festivals in his honor were held, and he was invoked in funerary inscriptions and amulets. The Book of the Dead includes spells to be recited to Anubis, and his image was placed on tomb walls, coffins, and amulets to ensure his protection.
His popularity extended beyond Egypt’s borders. The Greeks, who identified him with their god Hermes, called him Hermanubis, and his worship spread to the Roman Empire. In the Greco-Roman period, he was often depicted in a more Hellenized style, but his core role remained the same.
Common Misconceptions
A common misconception is that Anubis is the “god of the dead” in the sense of ruling over the underworld. In fact, that role belongs to Osiris. Anubis is more accurately the god of the transition to the afterlife—the one who guides and protects the soul, but does not rule the realm of the dead. Another misconception is that Anubis is evil or demonic because of his jackal head. In ancient Egypt, jackals were not seen as sinister; they were simply scavengers of the desert, and their presence at graves was seen as a sign of the god’s protection.
Anubis in Popular Culture
Anubis has remained a recognizable figure in modern media, from films like The Mummy (1999) to video games such as Smite and Assassin’s Creed Origins. He is also a common figure in books and television shows about ancient Egypt. While these portrayals often exaggerate or alter his mythology, they have helped keep his image alive in the public imagination. In many of these works, he is shown as a stern but just judge, which aligns with his original role.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Anubis the god of?
Anubis is the god of mummification, the afterlife, and the protection of tombs. He guides souls to the underworld and oversees the weighing of the heart ceremony.
Why is Anubis depicted with a jackal head?
Because jackals were often seen in desert cemeteries, the ancient Egyptians associated them with the protection of the dead. The jackal head symbolizes Anubis’s role as a guardian of graves and a guide for the deceased.
Is Anubis the son of Osiris?
In many myths, yes. The most common version says Anubis was the son of Osiris and Nephthys, though some texts name Ra or Set as his father. The parentage varies depending on the source and time period.
What is the weighing of the heart?
It is the judgment ceremony in which the deceased’s heart is weighed against the feather of Ma’at. If the heart is lighter, the soul is worthy; if heavier, it is devoured by Ammit. Anubis is the one who performs the weighing.
Did Anubis have a wife?
Yes, his wife is Anput, a goddess who is essentially his female version. They had a daughter named Kebechet, who was associated with purification and the pouring of sacred water for the dead.
How was Anubis worshipped?
He had temples at Cynopolis, Abydos, and Saqqara, and was honored through festivals, prayers, and amulets. Priests who performed mummification wore jackal masks to represent him, and his image was placed on tombs and coffins for protection.
Related
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- Egyptian Moon Gods: Khonsu, Thoth, and Iah Explained
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