Anubis From God of Embalming to God of the Dead in Ancient Egyptian Beliefs

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Anubis From God of Embalming to God of the Dead in Ancient Egyptian Beliefs - Anubis, the jackal-headed god of ancient Egypt, is one of the most recognizable deities from ancient Egyptian religion. He is often depicted in art and literature as a protector of the dead and a guide to the afterlife. 

However, Anubis's role in ancient Egyptian belief was not always limited to death and the afterlife. In fact, Anubis's origins can be traced back to a god of embalming and mummification.


Anubis is first mentioned in texts from the Old Kingdom, around 2600 BCE. At this time, he was known as "Anpu" or "Inpu" and was primarily associated with the process of embalming and mummification. The ancient Egyptians believed that the preservation of the body was essential for the soul's journey to the afterlife, and Anubis was considered the patron god of embalmers and the protector of the dead.


Anubis was also closely associated with the god of the dead, Osiris. In many myths, Anubis helped Osiris become king of the dead and protected his body after his death. Anubis was also believed to have helped Isis, Osiris's wife, embalm her husband's body and restore him to life. This association with Osiris and the afterlife solidified Anubis's role as a god of the dead.


Anubis's role as a god of the dead and protector of the dead was further reinforced by his role in the "Weighing of the Heart" ceremony, which was believed to determine whether a person's soul would go to the afterlife or be devoured by the demon Ammit. Anubis was often depicted as the god who weighed the hearts of the dead on a scale against the feather of Ma'at, the goddess of truth and justice. If the heart was found to be heavy with sin, it would be devoured by Ammit. But if it was found to be pure, the soul would be granted eternal life in the afterlife.


In addition to his role in the afterlife, Anubis was also a god of funerary rites and funerary cults. Many tombs and funerary complexes were dedicated to Anubis, and he was often depicted on the walls of these tombs as a protector of the deceased. He was also a popular god among the living, who would often leave offerings to Anubis in hopes of gaining his protection in the afterlife.


As the cult of Anubis grew, so too did his prominence in the pantheon of ancient Egyptian gods. He was associated with other gods, such as Horus and Set, and was considered a god of the sky, of the moon, and of the stars. He was even believed to be the father of the god of the morning, Khenti-Amentiu.


In conclusion, Anubis was not only a god of the dead but also a god of embalming and mummification. He played a vital role in the ancient Egyptians belief and was a protector of the deceased and a guide to the afterlife. He was also a popular god among the living who would often leave offerings to Anubis in hopes of gaining his protection in the afterlife. He was considered a god of the sky, of the moon, and of the stars and was even believed to be the father of the god of the morning, Khenti-Amentiu. As the cult of Anubis grew, so too did his prominence in the pantheon of ancient Egyptian gods.

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