The Egyptian god Anubis: History and cult

Egyptian mythology is known for its large number of gods and goddesses who influenced the religious, cultural, and political aspects of the ancient Egyptian people. One such influential god was Anubis, the god of the sky and air.

History of the god Anubis

The god Anubis originates from ancient Egyptian mythology, his history is known from papyri and images that date back to about 2700 B.C. He was considered one of the most influential gods in ancient Egyptian mythology, his cult is known from many centers in Egypt, including the city of Memphis.

The role of Anubis in the ancient world

Anubis (Greek) – Inpu (Egyptian) is one of the oldest and most revered gods of the pantheon of ancient Egypt. One of the functions of the god Anubis is to punish sinners in the Hell of the Egyptian afterlife. Also, Anubis is responsible for wisdom, karma, rewards and punishments that a person deserves in his or her earthly life. It is the god Anubis who decides how long a person will live on Earth, he determines who should leave and who has not yet fulfilled their tasks.

Key facts about Anubis

Anubis was worshipped throughout ancient Egyptian history, from the Ancient Kingdom to the Ptolemaic period. He was the son of Osiris and Nephthys, and he was often depicted as the faithful companion of the dead, accompanying them to the afterlife. In addition to his role in funerary rites, Anubis was also associated with the protection of tombs and the dead, and was sometimes depicted as the protector of the pharaoh.

Symbols and information about the cult of Anubis

Symbolism of Anubis

Anubis’ jackal head symbolized his connection to burial sites and the afterlife, and the black color often used to depict Anubis represented both the color of the mummification wrappings and the fertile black soil of the Nile Valley. Anubis was also associated with the principles of life, death and resurrection and was considered a symbol of the transition from life to death.

Majestic rituals associated with the cult of Anubis

Anubis, the ancient Egyptian god of mummification and the afterlife, was associated with several majestic rituals, including

– The Ceremony of Weighing the Heart: In this ritual, the heart of the deceased was weighed where on one side of the scale lies the heart of the deceased, light or burdened with sins, and on the other side the truth in the form of the feather of the goddess Maat, to determine if the deceased is worthy of entering the afterlife. If a person had led an honest and righteous life, his heart and the feather weighed equally; if he had sinned, the heart weighed more than the feather. Accordingly, a decision was made where to send the deceased, the righteous to the afterlife, and the sinner was eaten by the monster Amath.

– Embalming and mummification: Anubis was revered as the god of mummification and embalming, and he was often depicted in tomb paintings overseeing this process, and his statue was often placed in tombs to protect the deceased.

– Funeral processions: Anubis was believed to lead the dead to the underworld, and he was often depicted in funeral processions, as well as at the head of the procession, holding Ankh, the symbol of life. Processions with the statue of Anubis were often held during religious festivals, with participants wearing masks or costumes to represent the god.

– Offerings and sacrifices: Anubis was believed to accept offerings and sacrifices such as food, drink, and other items as a way to ensure a smooth journey to the afterlife. The offerings were often placed on tables in front of the statue of Anubis to honor and appease him.

The influence of the cult of Anubis on modern culture

Influence on art and architecture

The influence of the god Anubis on modern art and architecture is not as significant as the influence on the art and architecture of the Ancient Egyptian civilization. However, he may still be known in some European museums that house ancient Egyptian artifacts such as bas-reliefs and statues.

Some well-known art forms, such as science fiction and fantasy, may reflect elements of ancient Egyptian mythology, including Anubis. However, in modern architecture and art, its influence may be negligible or absent.

In the medieval era, Anubis’ influence on art was expressed in depictions of him in cartoons and illustrations, where he is presented as a great and powerful god.

Influence on religious beliefs and practices

Anubis, the god of funerary rites and mummification in ancient Egyptian mythology, had a profound influence on the religious beliefs and practices of the ancient Egyptians. As the protector of the dead, Anubis was associated with the underworld, and it was believed that he had the power to guide the souls of the dead to the underworld and judge their worthiness to enter the afterlife.

The worship of Anubis was widespread and his cult was considered one of the most important in ancient Egypt. He was depicted as a deity with the head of a jackal, symbolizing his connection with the dead and the underworld. Temples dedicated to Anubis were common and often located near burial sites, serving as places where people could offer prayers and sacrifices to the god.

Anubis was also closely associated with the process of mummification, the ancient Egyptian practice of preserving the dead for the afterlife. It was believed that Anubis was responsible for embalming the dead and preparing their bodies for the journey to the afterlife. Mummification was considered the most important aspect of Egyptian religion and was seen as a way to ensure the dead would have a successful afterlife.

In addition to his role in funerary rites, Anubis was also considered the god of justice and was associated with the weighing of the heart, a ceremony in which the heart of the deceased was weighed against the feather of Maat, the goddess of truth and balance. If the heart was lighter than the feather, the soul was considered worthy and allowed to enter the afterlife. If the heart was heavier, the soul was devoured by Amat, the devourer of the dead.

Conclusion.

The worship of Anubis played a significant role in the religious beliefs and practices of the ancient Egyptians. As a protector of the dead and a guide to the afterlife, he was highly revered and played a central role in their understanding of death and the afterlife. Anubis’ legacy continues to be felt today, as his image remains one of the most recognizable symbols of ancient Egyptian mythology.