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In ancient Egypt, Anubis was considered a guide of the underworld. His usual depicted form was that of a crouching desert dog or jackal. He was known to lead souls through the astral (as in dream state) as well as to Amenti, or land of the dead. It is interesting how the prefix “an” in both Sumerian and Egyptian means “of Heaven.” Anubis (Anpu in Egyptian) and Anu (Sumerian) both possessed the symbology of the jackal or dog, suggesting a direct connection to the Dog Star Sirius. – The Prism of Lyra
Names
- Inpu (or Anpu): This is the original Egyptian name for Anubis. It means “to decay” or “to putrefy.” That fits his tie to mummification and the afterlife.
- Imy-ut (or Imiut): This title means “He Who is in the Place of Embalming.” It points to his role in mummification.
- Khenty-amentiu (or Khentyamentiu): This name means “Foremost of the Westerners.” The “Westerners” are the dead. The name marks Anubis as protector of the dead and ruler of the necropolis.
- Neb-ta-djeser: This title means “Lord of the Sacred Land.” It shows his rule over burial grounds and cemeteries.
Anubis is one of the most important gods in ancient Egyptian mythology. He is mainly linked to mummification and the afterlife. Here is an overview of his features and roles.
Description and Symbols:
- Appearance: Anubis is usually shown as a man with the head of a jackal, or as a full jackal. The jackal is linked to cemeteries and the dead. That fits his role in funeral rites.
- Color: His head or body is often black. Black was the color of mummified flesh. It was also the color of the fertile soil of the Nile, a sign of rebirth.
Roles and Responsibilities:
- God of Mummification: Anubis was seen as the inventor of embalming and the protector of the dead. He oversaw mummification. He made sure the dead were properly prepared for the afterlife.
- Guardian of the Dead: He protected graves and cemeteries from desecration.
- Guide to the Afterlife: Anubis guided souls to the afterlife. He also oversaw the weighing of the heart. In this ceremony a soul’s heart was weighed against the feather of Ma’at (truth). The result decided if the soul was worthy of the afterlife.
Mythology:
- Parentage: Some sources make Anubis the son of Osiris and Nephthys. Other traditions make him the son of Ra.
- Weighing of the Heart: In the Hall of Ma’at, Anubis weighed the heart of the dead against the feather of Ma’at. If the heart was lighter or equal in weight, the soul could pass on to the afterlife. If it was heavier, the demon Ammit devoured it.
Worship:
- Temples and Cults: Anubis was worshipped across Egypt. Several temples were dedicated to him. His cult was strongest in places tied to burial.
- Priests of Anubis: These priests embalmed the dead and performed the rites for them. They often wore masks of Anubis during ceremonies.
The Egyptians took the afterlife very seriously. They had complex rituals around death. Anubis stood at the center of them, as the god who guided the soul on its journey after death.
Anubis is mainly linked to these animals:
- Jackal: Anubis is most often shown as a man with a jackal’s head, or as a full jackal. The jackal is a scavenger often found near cemeteries. It stands for his tie to death, burial and the protection of graves.
- Dog: In some settings Anubis is also linked to dogs. Dogs, like jackals, were seen as guardians of the dead.
The jackal is the main animal of Anubis. The dog comes second.
Arcturus/Sirius matrix
The Egyptians knew these connections and called upon the energies of the Arcturus/Sirius matrix for assistance in their rituals.
The Egyptian deity known as Anubis was a direct Sirian archetype, but worked with the Arcturan energy.
Anubis guided individuals into the underworld (the astral), or through the process of physical death. There the energies of both Sirius and Arcturus began the healing process with the soul. The representation of the jackal (or the “dog,” as in the Dog Star of Sirius) as Anubis is a blatant signal that the Egyptians were aware of the connection. Anubis (as a Sirius archetype) led the departed soul to the Arcturus realm where healing occurs.
The Prism of Lyra
Comparison between Anubis and Xolotl
Xolotl was a Mesoamerican god. He was linked to lightning, death and dogs. He guided souls through the underworld, as Anubis did.
| Feature | Anubis | Xolotl |
|---|---|---|
| Culture | Ancient Egyptian | Aztec |
| Roles | - God of mummification and embalming | - God of fire and lightning |
| - Protector of graves and cemeteries | - Protector of the sun in the underworld | |
| - Guide for souls to the afterlife | - Guide for the dead to Mictlan | |
| - Overseer of the weighing of the heart | - Associated with twins, deformities, and misfortune | |
| Depiction | - Man with the head of a black jackal | - Dog-headed man or monstrous dog with backward feet |
| - Full jackal | ||
| Symbols | - Jackal | - Dog |
| - Scales | - Fire | |
| - Mummification tools | - Lightning | |
| Mythology | - Associated with Osiris, often considered his son | - Twin brother of Quetzalcoatl |
| - Involved in the mummification process of Osiris | - Guides the sun through the underworld and aids souls to Mictlan | |
| Similarities | - Guides souls to the afterlife | - Guides souls to the afterlife |
| - Protective nature | - Protective nature | |
| - Associated with canines (jackals, dogs) | - Associated with canines (dogs) | |
| Differences | - Cultural context: Egyptian | - Cultural context: Aztec |
| - Involved in mummification and judgment | - Linked to fire, lightning, and sun protection | |
| - Depicted with a jackal’s head | - Depicted with more monstrous features |
Hermanubis
Hermanubis is a combined god. He joins features of the Greek god Hermes and the Egyptian god Anubis. The fusion came from the mixing of Greek and Egyptian cultures in the Hellenistic period. This was above all after the conquests of Alexander the Great and under the Ptolemaic dynasty that then ruled Egypt.
| Feature | Hermanubis |
|---|---|
| Culture | Greco-Egyptian |
| Roles | - Guide of souls to the afterlife |
| - Psychopomp (conductor of souls) | |
| - Protector of the dead | |
| Depiction | - Man with features of both Hermes and Anubis |
| - Often shown with a jackal head and wearing the caduceus (staff of Hermes) | |
| Symbols | - Caduceus (staff of Hermes) |
| - Jackal | |
| Mythology | - Represents the merging of Greek and Egyptian religious practices |
| - Combines Hermes’ role as a messenger and guide of souls with Anubis’ role in mummification and protection of the dead | |
| Attributes | - Psychopomp, guiding souls to the afterlife |
| - Protector of graves and cemeteries | |
| - Involved in rituals and ceremonies related to the dead |
Comparison with Anubis and Hermes:
| Feature | Anubis | Hermanubis |
|---|---|---|
| Culture | Ancient Egyptian | Greco-Egyptian |
| Roles | - God of mummification and embalming | - Guide of souls to the afterlife |
| - Protector of graves and cemeteries | - Psychopomp (conductor of souls) | |
| - Guide for souls to the afterlife | - Protector of the dead | |
| - Overseer of the weighing of the heart | ||
| Depiction | - Man with the head of a black jackal | - Man with features of both Hermes and Anubis |
| - Full jackal | - Often shown with a jackal head and wearing the caduceus | |
| Symbols | - Jackal | - Caduceus |
| - Scales | - Jackal | |
| - Mummification tools | ||
| Mythology | - Associated with Osiris, often considered his son | - Represents the merging of Greek and Egyptian religious practices |
| - Involved in the mummification process of Osiris | - Combines Hermes’ and Anubis’ roles |
