Anubis is the god of death, mummification, and the protector of tombs. He is depicted with a jackal head, jet-black skin, a flail, and sometimes the Imiut fetish.
Anubis was born from Osiris and Nephthys, the god of death and resurrection and the goddess of the dead. His portrayal as a jackal most likely comes from the jackals who roamed cemeteries in ancient Egypt, digging up and eating bodies that had recently been buried in shallow graves.
The Egyptians believed that when a person died, they went to meet Anubis in Duat (the underworld), where their hearts were placed on a scale and weighed against a feather. Those whose hearts were heavier than the feather were eaten by a demon; those whose hearts were lighter than the feather were worthy of continuing on to a heavenly ascent into Aaru. Anubis became their guide on their journey to that ascent.
Anubis had a wife named Anput, and together they had a daughter called Kebechet, who was the goddess of purification. Kebechet was thought to help her father as he kept watch over the embalming and mummification process of the dead. Once placed in the tombs, Anubis was thought to protect and watch over the dead’s physical body from thieves and bandits.
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Parents
Osiris and Nephthys
Domain / Power
Mummification, death, and tombs
Symbols / Attributes
- jackal head
- flail
- Imiut fetish
Notable Myths
- Guardian of the Scales
- Creation of Embalming
- Adoption by Isis
How Tos about Anubis: Egyptian God of Death
Introduce Anubis with an Engaging Classroom Discussion
Start by asking students what they know about ancient Egyptian gods, especially Anubis. Encourage students to share their ideas and make connections to myths or stories they've heard. This helps spark curiosity and sets the stage for learning!
Display and Analyze Pictures of Anubis to Build Visual Understanding
Show images of Anubis in different forms—drawings, statues, and hieroglyphs. Guide students in describing what they see, focusing on his jackal head and symbols. Visual analysis strengthens comprehension of Anubis's role in Egyptian culture.
Lead a Fact-Finding Activity Using the Encyclopedia Entry
Have students read the encyclopedia page about Anubis and work in pairs to list three key facts. This interactive activity encourages teamwork and reinforces informational reading skills.
Organize a Creative Project: Design a Poster or Mini-Book About Anubis
Invite students to create a poster or mini-book featuring Anubis's characteristics, history, and importance. Creative projects help students synthesize information and express what they've learned in fun ways.
Wrap Up with a Quick Quiz or Class Game to Review Key Facts
End the lesson with a short quiz or trivia game about Anubis. Use true/false questions or matching activities. This helps reinforce learning and makes review enjoyable for everyone!
Frequently Asked Questions about Anubis: Egyptian God of Death
Who is Anubis in ancient Egyptian mythology?
Anubis is the ancient Egyptian god associated with mummification and the afterlife. He is often depicted as a man with the head of a jackal, guarding tombs and guiding souls to the afterworld.
What does Anubis symbolize?
Anubis symbolizes protection, embalming, and the safe passage of souls to the afterlife. He represents the importance of funerary practices and the preservation of the dead in Egyptian culture.
Why is Anubis shown with a jackal head?
Anubis is shown with a jackal head because jackals were commonly seen near cemeteries, and Egyptians believed this animal protected the dead and warded off evil spirits.
What role did Anubis play in the process of mummification?
Anubis was thought to oversee the mummification process, ensuring that bodies were properly prepared for the afterlife and performing rituals to protect the deceased from harm.
How is Anubis different from other Egyptian gods like Osiris?
Anubis mainly focused on funerary rites and guiding souls, while Osiris ruled over the afterlife itself. Anubis prepared the dead; Osiris judged them.
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