Anubis, also known as Inpu and Anpu in Ancient Egyptian mythology, is the god of funerary rites, protector of graves, and guide to the Underworld, in Ancient Egyptian mythology, usually depicted as a canine or a man with a canine head.
Appearance: in Egyptian mythology, Anubis is typically depicted as a jackal-headed deity or a man with the head of a jackal. He is often depicted wearing a loincloth and holding a flail or a pair of scales. The jackal head represents Anubis' role as the guide to the Underworld, while the flail and scales represent his role as the judge of the dead. Some later representations of Anubis also show him holding a scepter, which is a staff symbolizing power and authority.
Personality: he is often portrayed as a serious and mysterious figure. He is known as the guide and guardian of the Underworld, and he is responsible for helping the dead on their journey to the afterlife. Anubis is also depicted as just and fair, using his scales to weigh the heart of the deceased against the Feather of Ma’at to determine their worthiness for the afterlife. Despite his association with death and the Underworld, Anubis is also seen as a protector and guide for the living, and he is believed to help those who call upon him for protection and guidance.
Symbols: flail, crook, sceptre, and mummy gauze
God of: the dead, mummification, embalming, the afterlife, and tombs
Plants and trees: star anise, benzoin, cloves, cardamom, frankincense, myrrh, rosemary, cypress, pomegranate, cedarwood, blue lotus, juniper, lilies, and black roses.
Crystals: black obsidian, onyx, jet, garnet, smoky quartz, labradorite, bloodstone, hematite, and black tourmaline.
Animals: jackal, dog, flies, scarab beetle, Ibis bird, and snake
Incense: cinnamon, sage, frankincense, cedarwood, pomegranate, myrrh, copal, dragons blood, and vanilla
Colours: black, gold, green, and red
Days: Monday, Thoth (Thuty) Festival, Opening of the Mouth ceremony, Festival of the Divine Birth, Nile Flood Festival, Festival of the Dead, and Festival of the Jackal
Parents: Ra (his father originally), Hesat (mother), Bastet (sometimes referred to as his mother), Osiris (his father in later stories), and Isis (his mother in later stories).
Siblings: Horus, Babi, Sopdet, Wepwawet, and Bata
Partner: Anput and Nephthys
• Flail: the flail is associated with Anubis because it was believed to have been used by him in the process of mummification. In ancient Egyptian mythology, the flail was a tool used to separate the body of the deceased from its wrappings. It was also associated with the idea of balance and justice, as the flail had two heads that were believed to represent the balance of life and death. In some depictions, Anubis is shown holding a flail in his hands as a symbol of his role as a judge of the dead.
• Crook: it was a staff with a curved end and was used by shepherds to guide their flocks. In Egyptian mythology, the crook was associated with the god Osiris and later with Anubis as well. It was believed to represent Anubis' role as a shepherd of souls, guiding the deceased through the afterlife and protecting them from danger. Additionally, the crook was seen as a symbol of authority and power, as the pharaohs were often depicted carrying one as a sign of their divine rule.
• Sceptre: in ancient Egypt, a sceptre was a staff that was carried by the pharaohs and gods to symbolize their power and authority. For Anubis, his sceptre was known as the Pesesh-kef Sceptre, and it represented his role as a guide and protector of the dead. The Pesesh-kef was a symbol of his status as a god and was used to perform rituals and ceremonies related to the afterlife. It was also believed to have healing or magical properties and was sometimes buried with people to protect them on their journey through the afterlife.
• Jackal: Anubis is often depicted with the head of a jackal, which is one of the reasons why jackals are associated with him. Jackals were considered scavengers and were known to be present in the deserts where many Egyptian burials took place. For this reason, they were believed to have been closely associated with death and the afterlife. The jackal was also said to have the ability to navigate the underworld, which further strengthened its association with Anubis, who was considered the guide and protector of the deceased in the afterlife.
• Mummy gauze: the material used to wrap and bind the mummies of the deceased. Anubis, as the god of mummification and the afterlife, was closely associated with the practice of mummification and often depicted holding rolls of mummy gauze as a symbol of his role. In addition, mummy gauze was believed to have magical or protective properties, and some Egyptians would use it as a talisman to keep themselves or their loved ones safe from harm. As a result, mummy gauze became a potent symbol of Anubis' power and connection to the underworld.
• The colour black: often associated with death and the underworld, this is likely because of the dark, fertile soil of the Nile River banks, where many Egyptian burials took place. Anubis, as the god of death and the afterlife, was closely associated with the Underworld and the process of mummification, which required the use of black resin and tar. As a result, the color black became a powerful symbol of Anubis and his domain, and was often used in paintings, carvings, and other representations of the god.
• He likes metal music (especially black metal), dark crystal jewelry, gothic style, and dark coloured sports cars.
• In the Egyptian Book of the Dead, it is said that Anubis weighs the heart of the deceased against the Feather of Ma’at to determine their worthiness for the afterlife.
• Anubis was regularly invoked for protection as well as vengeance.
• He helped Iris bring Osiris back from the dead.
• His time of day is dusk.
• Anubis is very caring and kind to his worshipper.
• The name “Anubis” is the Greek form of the Egyptian name “Anpu” which means to decay.
• He is not a demon or evil entity.
• Anubis was said to be the creator of embalming.
• The Greeks associated Anubis with Hermes, the Greek god who guided the dead to the afterlife. The two would be joined together to create Hermanubis, making him more accessible to non-Egyptians.
• A very sweet entity and only wishes to help guide people in the right direction.
• He knows the date of everyone’s death and may be petitioned to reveal it.
• Anubis is one of the oldest Egyptian gods.
• He is represented by the colour black.
Connect with Anubis as you would any other deity—with profound respect and gratitude. He selects devotees who are willing to face their shadows, and who aren’t afraid of spirts and death. Come to him with a pure heart and pure intentions.
To work with him, you can: read about him, create sacred altar space for him, leave offerings for Anubis in his sacred space, call him by his real name Anpu (to decay), research the mummification process and purpose, explore your beliefs about death, do shadow work and ritual work with him, and visiting cemeteries.
"Oh great and powerful Anubis, Lord of the Dead and guide of souls, I call upon you now in this moment. I honor and respect your wisdom and strength, and I seek your guidance and protection on my journey through this life and into the next.”
“Please bless me with your presence and wisdom as I embark on this new path. Show me the way to make the choices that will lead to a good and honorable life, and give me the courage to face the unknown with bravery and confidence.
I offer this prayer to you with gratitude and reverence. Hail to you, Lord Anubis.”
SIGNS THAT ANUBIS IS CALLING YOU:
• Spiritual signs, such as meditative visions or dream visitations.
• Seeing black dogs and bones.
• A strong feeling of connection to Anubis or the Egyptian pantheon.
• Finding yourself increasingly drawn to topics related to death, the afterlife, or spirituality.
• A sense of being guided or protected in times of difficulty or distress.
• Finding objects related to death, burial, or the occult in unexpected places.
• Experiencing unusual synchronicities or coincidences related to the god.
• Having a strong desire to learn more about the Egyptian pantheon or the lore surrounding Anubis.
• Strong liquor, like rum.
• Dark and bitter chocolate and beer.
• Strong incense: frankincense, cedarwood, and myrrh.
• Shadow work (only if you’re emotionally prepared for it).
• Red meat: beef (especially steak), pork, lamb, and goat.
• Crystals: black obsidian, onyx, jet, garnet, smoky quartz, labradorite, bloodstone, and hematite.
DEVOTIONAL ACTS FOR ANUBIS:
• Honour the dead and your ancestors
• Leaving flowers on graves.
• Support orphans and the homeless.
• Act as a guide for someone.
• Live your life as if it was your last (mindfully).
• Volunteer in cleaning cemeteries or in your local mortuary.
• Dress in neutral and dark colours.
• Collect animal bones. Clean then and breathe life into them (do so ethically, killing animals for bones is a blatant disrespect for Anubis, the animal, and the law).
• Adopt unwanted animals (the ones who are critically ill or are of old age) and give them the best life before they pass.
• Wearing black clothing in his honour.
• Volunteer or donate to local dog shelters.
• Get involved with spirit work.
• Practice divination; in the Papyri, Anubis is noted to be an intermediary for divination.
• Get into herbology: his priests were skilled herbal healers and dealt with many herbs during the mummification process.
• Draw, paint, or sculpt something in his honour.
IS IT SAFE TO EAT OR DRINK AN OFFERING I GIVE TO HIM?
It is generally considered unwise to consume an offering given to Anubis because it is believed that doing so goes against the spirit of the offering and may even be considered disrespectful to the deity. In Egyptian culture, offerings were often left to the gods and goddesses as a token of respect and devotion, and were not meant to be consumed by mortals. Additionally, there is often a cultural or symbolic significance attached to the offering. For example, food and drink may be left as an offering to sustain the deity, while a more symbolic item such as a statue or a piece of jewlery may be left as a symbol of reverence and veneration.
