If you're a fan of Egyptian mythology, chances are Anubis is one of your favorite gods. In Egyptian hieroglyphics and artistic representations, Anubis is often depicted as a man with the head of a jackal. God of mummification and funeral rites, Anubis played a crucial role in Egyptian antiquity. In this article, we'll explore Anubis' role in mummification and funeral rituals, as well as his significance in Egyptian culture.

Anubis, God of Embalmers

If you've studied Egyptian history, you may already know that embalming was a common practice in ancient Egyptian society.

The Egyptians believed in the survival of the soul after death, and so they sought to preserve the body so that the soul could be safely transported to the afterlife.

Anubis was the patron god of embalmers, responsible for overseeing the process of mummification. Mummification was a long and complex process. It required large quantities of materials and labor, as well as the specialized skills of the embalmers. Mummification could take weeks or even months, depending on the social position and status of the deceased.

Funeral Rituals

The process of mummification is an integral part of Egyptian funeral rites. The Egyptians believed that death was just the beginning of a new journey. And so, they organized rituals related to death and burial to ensure that the deceased had a safe and comfortable journey to the afterlife.

Funeral rituals consisted of several stages. Firstly, the relatives of the deceased organized a funeral procession to transport the body to the temple of Anubis. Once in the temple, the body was washed and embalmed. The embalmers, often assisted by other priests, performed several rituals to honor the deceased and ensure the safety of his journey to the afterlife.

The Symbolism of Anubis

Anubis was considered the guardian of the gates of death. The Egyptians believed that his presence protected the body of the deceased and ensured his safe passage to the afterlife. Because of his association with death and funeral rituals, Anubis is often seen as a symbol of safety and protection.

The Egyptians depicted Anubis in a variety of artistic forms, including a jackal-headed man, a bird-headed man, a lion-headed man , or simply as an animal. Egyptian artists often depicted Anubis with a scale to weigh the heart of the deceased against a feather. Egyptian beliefs stipulated that if the heart was heavier than the feather, the soul had sinned during its lifetime and was therefore condemned to wander for eternity.

Controversies And Recent Discoveries

Over the years, archaeological discoveries have sparked considerable debate within the academic community about the precise role of Anubis in mummification and funerary rituals. Some researchers maintain that Anubis was indeed the patron god of embalmers and that his role was crucial in the mummification process. Other researchers suggest that the priests in charge of mummification did not really worship Anubis.

Conclusion

Anubis played a central role in Egyptian funeral rites. As patron god of embalmers, Anubis oversaw the mummification process, a necessary procedure to ensure the safety of the soul after death. The artistic representations of Anubis, and the associated funeral rituals, have captured people's imaginations for centuries. Today, Anubis is a popular symbol in Egyptian culture and continues to intrigue historians and archaeologists the world over.