Anubis: The Egyptian God of the Dead in Art and Mythology
The Jackal-Headed Guardian
Anubis, the jackal-headed god of ancient Egypt, stands as one of the most recognizable figures in Egyptian mythology. For over 3,000 years, this dark-furred deity watched over the dead, guiding souls through the perilous journey to the afterlife. His image appears on tomb walls, papyrus scrolls, and funerary masks throughout the Nile Valley. From the earliest dynasties to the Roman occupation, Anubis remained a constant presence in Egyptian religious life.
But Anubis was more than a psychopomp. He invented mummification, protected cemeteries, and served as the ultimate judge of a soul's worthiness. His presence meant the difference between eternal paradise and oblivion. Ancient Egyptians carved his likeness into amulets, painted his form on coffins, and called upon his name in funerary prayers.
The name Anubis comes from the Greek rendering of his Egyptian name, Inpu or Anpu. Ancient Egyptians believed his black coloring represented both the fertile Nile soil and the discoloration of mummified corpses. This dual symbolism connected death with renewal.
Anubis in Egyptian Mythology: Origins and Legends
According to Egyptian mythology, Anubis was originally the chief god of the dead before Osiris rose to prominence. Some texts name him the son of Ra, while others describe him as the child of Nephthys and Osiris. This shifting parentage reflects how Egyptian religion evolved over millennia as different cities gained political power.
His most famous role appears in the Weighing of the Heart ceremony. When a person died, Anubis led them to the Hall of Two Truths. There, he placed their heart on a scale opposite the feather of Ma'at, the goddess of truth.
A heart heavier than the feather meant the soul had lived wickedly. It would be devoured by Ammit, the crocodile-headed demon. A balanced scale meant passage to the Field of Reeds, the Egyptian paradise where the deceased would live eternally among the gods.
The Inventor of Mummification
Mythology credits Anubis with creating the first mummy. When Set murdered Osiris and scattered his body across Egypt, Isis gathered the pieces with the help of her sister Nephthys. Anubis then wrapped Osiris in linen bandages, performing the first mummification and allowing the god to live on in the afterlife. This act established the ritual that would be performed on pharaohs and nobles for thousands of years.
This story explains why Egyptian priests wore jackal masks during the mummification process. They were literally embodying Anubis, invoking his protection over the deceased. Cemetery workers and embalmers considered themselves servants of the jackal god. The mummification process itself took 70 days, mirroring the period when Sirius disappeared from the night sky.
Anubis Protected Several Sacred Duties:
• Embalming – Overseeing the 70-day mummification process and blessing the preserved body
• Tomb guarding – Preventing grave robbers and evil spirits from disturbing the dead
• Soul guidance – Leading the deceased through the dangerous underworld passages
• Heart weighing – Determining the worthiness of each soul through the scales of justice
The Anubis Jackal: Symbolism and Meaning
Why a jackal? Ancient Egyptians observed these wild canines prowling around desert cemeteries, drawn by the scent of burials. Rather than fear the association, they embraced it. If jackals were naturally drawn to burial sites, perhaps they served as guardians. Depicting the god of death as a jackal transformed a potential threat into a divine protector. This is typical of Egyptian religious thinking, which often turned dangers into sacred forces.
Anubis typically appears with a human body and a sleek black jackal head. His ears stand alert. His eyes watch. In statues and paintings, he often holds the was-scepter of power and the ankh, symbol of eternal life.
Sometimes he's shown in full jackal form, lying atop a shrine or chest, eternally vigilant.
Black represented regeneration in Egyptian culture, not death. The color connected to the rich black silt deposited by the Nile floods, which brought life to the desert. When Egyptians saw black, they thought of fertile soil and new beginnings.
Anubis and the Eye of Horus
In some versions of the Osiris myth, Anubis played a crucial role in restoring the Eye of Horus. After Set tore out Horus's eye during their legendary battle for the throne of Egypt, Anubis helped heal it. The restored eye, called the Wadjet, became one of Egypt's most powerful protective symbols. You'll still see it today in jewelry and tattoos worldwide.
This connection between the Eye of Anubis and the Eye of Horus reinforces his role as a healer and protector. He didn't just usher souls to judgment. He actively worked to preserve and restore what had been damaged or lost. This healing aspect of Anubis is often overlooked, but it was central to how ancient Egyptians understood his nature.
Egyptian Art in Modern Spaces
The power of Egyptian imagery hasn't faded after thousands of years. Anubis, with his watchful stance and mysterious aura, brings a sense of ancient wisdom to contemporary interiors. Egyptian wall art works particularly well in studies, home offices, and spaces meant for contemplation. The imagery carries weight and gravitas that few other artistic traditions can match.
The typical color palette of black and gold complements modern decor while maintaining that sense of timeless authority.
From mythology enthusiasts to those who simply love striking visuals, Egyptian-inspired pieces command attention without overwhelming a room. Our black and gold collection features several Egyptian-inspired pieces, from royal portraits to symbolic imagery. Each one carries that distinctive blend of mystery and grandeur that made Egyptian art legendary across the ancient world.
Pro tip:Pair Egyptian art with warm metallics and dark woods. The combination echoes the gilded treasures found in pharaohs' tombs and creates a sophisticated atmosphere.
FAQ
What is Anubis the god of?
Anubis is the Egyptian god of mummification, the afterlife, and the dead. He guided souls through the underworld to face judgment and oversaw the weighing of hearts ceremony that determined whether a person was worthy of eternal paradise. Ancient Egyptians also credited him with inventing the mummification process that preserved bodies for the afterlife.
What does Anubis symbolize?
Anubis symbolizes protection, guidance, and the transition between life and death. His black coloring represents regeneration and the fertile Nile soil that brought life to Egypt each year. As guardian of the dead in Egyptian mythology, he represents safe passage between the world of the living and the afterlife.
What is the Eye of Anubis?
The Eye of Anubis refers to the watchful, protective gaze of the jackal-headed god. It's sometimes confused with the more famous Eye of Horus (the Wadjet), which Anubis helped restore according to Egyptian mythology. Both Egyptian eye symbols represent divine protection and the watchful presence of the gods over the living and dead.
Why does Anubis have a jackal head?
Ancient Egyptians observed wild jackals prowling around desert cemeteries and burial sites. Rather than view them as threats, Egyptian mythology reimagined them as natural guardians of the dead. By depicting Anubis with a jackal head, they transformed a potential graveyard predator into a divine protector who watched over tombs.
Is Anubis good or evil?
Anubis is a benevolent god in Egyptian mythology. He protected the dead, guided souls safely to judgment, and ensured proper burial rites were performed. While his association with death might seem dark to modern audiences, ancient Egyptians viewed the jackal god as a comforting presence who helped loved ones reach the afterlife.
What is the difference between Anubis and Osiris?
Anubis guides souls to the afterlife and oversees mummification, while Osiris rules the underworld as king of the dead. In Egyptian mythology, Anubis was the original death god, but Osiris later took the primary role. The myth says Anubis performed the first mummification on Osiris after his murder by Set.
How do you pronounce Anubis?
Anubis is pronounced "uh-NOO-bis" with emphasis on the second syllable. This name comes from the Greek version of his Egyptian name. In ancient Egyptian, he was called Inpu or Anpu, pronounced roughly as "IN-poo" or "AN-poo." The Greeks changed the pronunciation when adopting Egyptian gods.
Written by Luxury Wall Art · Art experts passionate about helping you find pieces that speak to your space.
