Anubis

Anubis jackal

Anubis attending the mummy of Sennedjem

Toutankamon-expo 62 anubis

Sousse mosaic calendar November

Opening of the mouth ceremony (cropped)

Anubis is an ancient Egyptian god associated with mummification and the afterlife. In ancient Egyptian religion, he was most notably worshipped in the city of Cynopolis. His name is often translated as "He Who is in the Place of Embalming," highlighting his strong association with the embalming process and the care of the dead.

Origins and Development

Anubis is one of the oldest deities of ancient Egypt, with his worship dating back to the Old Kingdom period. Initially, he was considered the lord of the underworld, but his role shifted with the rise of the god Osiris during the Middle Kingdom. From then on, Anubis was more closely associated with the mummification process and the care of the dead, serving as a guide to the deceased in the underworld, a role that complemented Osiris's position as the judge of the dead.

Iconography

Anubis is typically depicted as a man with the head of a jackal or as a full jackal, an animal associated with cemeteries because it was often seen in desert gravesites. This iconography emphasizes his connection to the dead and the afterlife. His black fur symbolizes both rebirth and the fertile, life-giving soil of the Nile, reflecting his role in the regeneration of life after death.

Cult and Worship

The cult of Anubis was widespread throughout Egypt, with a major center at Cynopolis, known in ancient Egyptian as "Sekhem" (meaning "powerful one"), located in Upper Egypt. Here, Anubis was venerated as the protector of graves and the primary god of the necropolis. His worship involved rituals of embalming and funerary rites, designed to ensure the safe passage and protection of the dead in the afterlife.

Mythology

In Egyptian mythology, Anubis plays a key role in the Osiris myth. He is said to have embalmed the body of Osiris after his murder by Seth, thereby establishing the practice of mummification. Anubis is also depicted presiding over the weighing of the heart ceremony, where the hearts of the deceased are weighed against the feather of Ma'at to determine their worthiness to enter the afterlife.

Legacy

Anubis's influence extended beyond the realm of the dead. He was a god of justice, watching over the scales during the weighing of the heart, and a protector against evil spirits. His worship continued well into the Roman period, and he remains one of the most recognizable deities of ancient Egyptian religion.