Egyptian God of Death: Anubis

Death is a topic that has been explored and discussed by many cultures throughout history. In Ancient Egypt, the god of death was Anubis. He was the one responsible for the weighing of the heart, which determined whether the soul was allowed to enter the afterlife or be devoured by the monster Ammit. Anubis was also the protector of mummified bodies, and he was the guardian of lost souls. This article will explore the role of Anubis in Ancient Egypt and the ancient myths surrounding him.

The Role of Anubis in Ancient Egypt

Anubis was a very important figure in Ancient Egypt. He was the god of death and mummification, and he was responsible for the weighing of the heart, which determined the fate of a soul in the afterlife. He was also the guardian of the dead, and he was the one who guided souls to the underworld. Anubis was associated with the jackal, and he was often depicted wearing a jackal-headed mask. He was also associated with the god Osiris, who was the god of the underworld and ruler of the dead.

Anubis was also associated with funerary rites and embalming practices. He was believed to be the one who wrapped and mummified the bodies of the deceased. He was also believed to protect the tombs of the dead and guard the entrance to the underworld. In some myths, Anubis was said to be the son of Osiris and Nephthys, and he was believed to have been born from the union of these two gods.

The Myths Surrounding Anubis

In Ancient Egypt, there were many myths surrounding Anubis. One of the most famous myths was the story of the weighing of the heart. According to this myth, when a person died their heart was weighed against the feather of Ma’at, the goddess of truth and justice. If the heart was lighter than the feather, the person’s soul was allowed to pass into the afterlife. If the heart was heavier than the feather, the person’s soul was devoured by the monster Ammit.

Another popular myth was the story of the god Osiris and his son Anubis. According to this myth, Osiris was murdered by his brother Set and his body was cut into fourteen pieces. Anubis was said to have gathered the pieces of Osiris’ body and reassembled them, thus bringing him back to life. This myth was used to explain why Anubis was associated with embalming and mummification.

Conclusion

Anubis was an incredibly important figure in Ancient Egypt. He was the god of death and mummification, and he was responsible for guiding souls to the underworld. He was also associated with funerary rites and embalming practices, as well as protecting the tombs of the dead. There were many myths surrounding Anubis, including the story of the weighing of the heart and the story of Osiris and his son Anubis. Anubis was an important figure in Ancient Egypt, and his role in the afterlife continues to be remembered today.