Anubis is a deity from ancient Egyptian religion, traditionally identified as the god of mummification, funerary rites, and the afterlife. He is commonly depicted as a man with the head of a jackal or as a fully jackal-like creature, reflecting the animal's association with cemeteries and tombs in Egypt.
Etymology
The name "Anubis" derives from the Greek rendering Ἄνουβις (Anoubis), which in turn originates from the Egyptian word inpw (also transliterated jnpw), meaning “royal child” or “he who belongs to the royal house.”
Historical Development
Anubis appears in the earliest phases of Egyptian religious practice, with evidence dating back to the Early Dynastic Period (c. 3100–2686 BCE). He was initially a prominent deity associated with the necropolis of Abydos, where he was revered as a protector of graves. Over time, his role evolved, and by the Middle Kingdom (c. 2050–1650 BCE) he became closely linked to the process of embalming and the protection of the deceased’s soul, known as the ka.
During the New Kingdom (c. 1550–1070 BCE) and later periods, Anubis was incorporated into the broader funerary pantheon, often depicted alongside other deities such as Osiris and Hathor. While Osiris assumed the primary role as ruler of the afterlife, Anubis retained a specialized function in guiding and weighing the hearts of the dead during the Weighing of the Heart ceremony, as described in the Book of the Dead.
Iconography
Typical representations of Anubian iconography include:
- A standing or seated figure with a black jackal’s head, symbolizing both the animal’s nocturnal habits and its association with the fertile black soil of the Nile floodplain.
- A recumbent jackal or canine positioned over a tomb or sarcophagus, signifying guardianship.
- Anubis holding a was scepter, a staff that denotes authority and protection.
- Scenes where Anubis conducts the embalming of a corpse or leads the deceased through the underworld.
The black coloration of his jackal head is symbolic of rebirth, regeneration, and the fertile silt deposited by the Nile.
Mythology and Functions
In Egyptian myth, Anubis is credited with inventing the embalming process. He is said to have taught the embalmer Imsety how to preserve bodies for the afterlife. The deity also performs the important judicial function of weighing the heart of the deceased against the feather of Ma’at (truth and justice) to determine the soul’s worthiness for entering the afterlife.
Anubis is occasionally identified as the son of either Ra or Set, depending on differing mythological traditions. In the Pyramid Texts and Coffin Texts, he is sometimes described as a sibling of Osiris, further emphasizing his close familial ties within the Egyptian divine hierarchy.
Cult and Worship
Anubis was venerated primarily in necropolises and funerary contexts rather than through large-scale temple cults. Notable sites associated with his worship include:
- Abydos: Early worship center with numerous tombs bearing Anubian iconography.
- Lisht and Saqqara: Middle Kingdom sites featuring chapels and offering tables dedicated to Anubis.
- The Ptolemaic and Roman periods saw the syncretic identification of Anubis with the Greek god Hermes (as Hermes Trismegistus) in the context of funerary rites.
Priests of Anubis (often designated as Imy-rŜ or “those who oversee the embalming”) performed embalming duties and conducted rituals to protect the deceased from malevolent forces.
Legacy
Anubis’s image persisted beyond the Pharaonic era, influencing later religious and artistic traditions. In Greco-Roman Egypt, he was integrated into the Hellenistic pantheon, and his symbolic role as a psychopomp (conductor of souls) continued into early Christian and Islamic folklore in the region. Modern popular culture frequently references Anubis as an embodiment of death and the afterlife, drawing upon his ancient attributes.
References
- Wilkinson, Richard H. The Complete Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt. Thames & Hudson, 2003.
- Hart, George. The Routledge Dictionary of Egyptian Gods and Goddesses. Routledge, 2005.
- Allen, James P. Middle Egyptian: An Introduction to the Language and Culture of Hieroglyphs. Cambridge University Press, 2010.