Table of Contents
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, meaning “to decay” or “to putrefy,” which aligns with his association with mummification and the afterlife.
- Imy-ut (or Imiut): This title translates to “He Who is in the Place of Embalming,” emphasizing his role in the mummification process.
- Khenty-amentiu (or Khentyamentiu): This name means “Foremost of the Westerners,” where “Westerners” refers to the dead. It signifies Anubis’s position as a protector of the deceased and ruler of the necropolis.
- Neb-ta-djeser: This title means “Lord of the Sacred Land,” indicating his dominion over burial grounds and cemeteries.
Anubis is one of the most significant deities in ancient Egyptian mythology, primarily associated with mummification and the afterlife. Here’s an overview of his attributes and roles:
Description and Symbols:
- Appearance: Anubis is typically depicted as a man with the head of a jackal or as a full jackal. The jackal is associated with cemeteries and the dead, highlighting his role in funerary rites.
- Color: His head or body is often shown in black, symbolizing the color of mummified flesh and the fertile soil of the Nile, indicating rebirth.
Roles and Responsibilities:
- God of Mummification: Anubis is considered the inventor of embalming and the protector of the dead. He presided over the mummification process, ensuring that the deceased 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 and oversaw the weighing of the heart ceremony, where a soul’s heart was weighed against the feather of Ma’at (truth) to determine its worthiness for the afterlife.
Mythology:
- Parentage: Anubis is sometimes depicted as the son of Osiris and Nephthys, though other traditions suggest he is the son of Ra.
- Weighing of the Heart: In the Hall of Ma’at, Anubis would weigh the heart of the deceased against the feather of Ma’at. If the heart was lighter or equal in weight, the soul was granted passage to the afterlife. If it was heavier, it was devoured by the demon Ammit.
Worship:
- Temples and Cults: Anubis was widely worshipped across Egypt, with several temples dedicated to him. His cult was especially prominent in areas associated with the burial process.
- Priests of Anubis: These priests were responsible for embalming and performing the necessary rites for the dead. They often wore masks of Anubis during ceremonies.
Anubis’s role in Egyptian mythology underscores the importance of the afterlife and the complex rituals surrounding death in ancient Egyptian culture. His iconic representation and the mythology surrounding him highlight the Egyptians’ profound reverence for the journey of the soul after death.
Anubis is primarily associated with the following animals:
- Jackal: Anubis is most commonly depicted as a man with the head of a jackal or as a full jackal. The jackal, a scavenger often found around cemeteries, symbolizes his connection to death, burial, and the protection of graves.
- Dog: In some contexts, Anubis is also associated with dogs, reflecting similar protective and funerary attributes as the jackal. Dogs, like jackals, were seen as guardians of the dead.
The jackal and, to a lesser extent, the dog, are the primary animals linked with Anubis, emphasizing his roles in mummification, protection of graves, and guiding souls to the afterlife.
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, a Mesoamerican deity associated with lightning, death, dogs, and guiding souls through the underworld, parallels Anubis.
| 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 syncretic deity combining elements of the Greek god Hermes and the Egyptian god Anubis. This fusion reflects the blending of Greek and Egyptian cultures during the Hellenistic period, particularly after the conquests of Alexander the Great and the subsequent rule of the Ptolemaic dynasty in 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 |
