Which Egyptian God Guards The Underworld?
Welcome to our look at Anubis, the interesting Egyptian god who looks after the underworld. Think about a guardian that stands at the place between life and death, showing souls to their final place. This is Anubis, often shown with the head of a jackal, a creature that goes with cemeteries and keeping graves safe.
Key Points:
- Anubis is the Egyptian god who guards the underworld and guides souls to their final destination.
- Anubis is often represented with the head of a jackal, symbolizing his role as the protector of graves.
- Anubis’ role evolved over time from the Old Kingdom to the New Kingdom, focusing on guiding souls and assisting in the afterlife judgment process.
- Anubis is closely linked with other gods like Osiris, Ma’at, Thoth, and Ammit in the Egyptian afterlife beliefs.
- Key ceremonies involving Anubis include the Weigh of the Heart event, where souls are judged for their purity.
- Anubis is a central figure in Egyptian stories, guiding souls through the twelve rooms of the underworld and towards the Field of Reeds for eternal peace.
- Symbols linked with Anubis, such as the ankh, scepter, and scales, represent his role in guiding and protecting souls in the afterlife.
In this blog, we will dig into the different jobs Anubis does in Egyptian stories, from his job as the keeper of graves to his showing souls through the afterlife. We will also look at how his job changed over time, his link with other gods like Osiris, and the detailed rituals and signs tied to him.
Whether you are new to Egyptian stories or trying to understand more, this guide will give you a deep look at one of the most interesting figures in old Egyptian beliefs.
which egyptian god guards the underworld: Overview and Key Facts
| Key Point | Description |
|---|---|
| Name of God | Anubis |
| Looks Like | Jackal-headed god, usually has a black head and human body |
| Main Job | Guardian of underworld, keeper of graves, guide for souls |
| Symbols | Ankh, staff, scales, whip, jackal |
| Change Over Time | Job changed from Old Kingdom to New Kingdom, with different jobs |
| His Link to Osiris | Anubis shown often as under Osiris, boss of the underworld |
| Important Ceremonies | Weighing of the Heart event, Anubis has a key role |
| Gods Related to Him | Osiris, Ma’at, Thoth, Ammit |
| Cultural Importance | Well-respected in ancient Egypt, with many temples and things made for him |
What Anubis Does in Egyptian Stories
Now that we have a general summary of Anubis and his meaning, let’s look deeper into the specific jobs and stories that show his value in Egyptian stories.
Anubis: The Jackal-Headed Protector
Anubis is one of the most recognizable gods in Egyptian stories, often shown with the head of a jackal and the body of a man. Why a jackal? These animals were often seen around cemeteries, showing Anubis’ role as the keeper of graves. Think of Anubis as a watchful guardian, keeping the resting places of the dead undisturbed.
More than guarding graves, Anubis also guides souls traveling to the afterlife, leading them through the complex and dangerous underworld.
To help you see Anubis, here are some key symbols linked with him:
- Ankh: Means life.
- Scepter: Shows power.
- Scales: Used in the Weighing of the Heart event.
- Flail: Symbol of strength.
- Jackal: Shows his protective and leading nature.
These symbols not only show Anubis’ traits but also highlight his many-sided role in old Egyptian religion.
Anubis is a key figure in Egyptian mythology, symbolizing protection of graves and guidance of souls to the afterlife through various recognized symbols.
How Anubis’ Role Changed Over Time
Anubis’ job in Egyptian stories changed a lot from the Old Kingdom to the New Kingdom. In the Old Kingdom (c. 2686–2181 BCE), Anubis was mainly seen as the god of the dead and the keeper of graves. He was the main god linked with mummification and the afterlife, making sure the dead were properly embalmed and their tombs safe. But, when the Middle Kingdom (c.
2055–1650 BCE) started, Anubis’ job began to change. With Osiris becoming the god of the dead, Anubis took an under role, focusing more on leading souls to the afterlife and helping in the Weighing of the Heart event. By the New Kingdom (c. 1550–1070 BCE), Anubis’ jobs had changed more.
He was more closely linked with the process of judging in the afterlife, working with Osiris and other gods like Ma’at and Thoth. This time showed Anubis more often in grave writings and tomb pictures, showing his role as a guide and keeper in the journey through the underworld.
To help you see the key times in Anubis’ change, here is a list of historical periods and their impact on his job:
- Old Kingdom (c. 2686–2181 BCE): Main god of the dead, keeper of graves, head of mummification.
- Middle Kingdom (c. 2055–1650 BCE): Changed to an under role to Osiris, focus on leading souls and helping in judging.
- New Kingdom (c. 1550–1070 BCE): Part of the judging process, shown in grave writings and tombs as a guide and keeper.
These changes show the changing nature of Egyptian stories and how the jobs of gods like Anubis changed with the growing religious and cultural world.
Keepers of the Egyptian Underworld
Now that we looked at Anubis’ changing job, let’s focus on the other key gods who have important jobs in the Egyptian underworld.
Osiris: The King Down Below
Osiris holds the respected place as leader of the underworld and judge of the dead in Egyptian stories. Think of Osiris as the main authority in the afterlife, much like a judge in a courtroom, deciding the fate of souls. His job fits well with Anubis; while Anubis leads souls to the afterlife and helps in the Weighing of the Heart event, Osiris makes the final call, deciding if a soul earns a place in the Field of Reeds. Osiris is often shown with several special traits and symbols that show his power and role:
- Crook and Flail: Kingship and power.
- Atef Crown: A white crown with ostrich feathers, showing his rule over the afterlife.
- Green Skin: Showing rebirth and renewal.
These symbols not only help in seeing Osiris in old art but also highlight his key role in the afterlife, making sure the good are rewarded and the bad are punished.
What Other Gods Do in the Afterlife
In the complex network of the Egyptian afterlife, many gods have important jobs. Ma’at, who is the goddess of truth and fairness, is at the center of the Weighing of the Heart ritual. Think of Ma’at as the one who keeps everything in order, making sure justice is served. Thoth, the god with an ibis head, handles wisdom and writing, noting what happens in the judgment.
Picture Thoth as the careful writer, keeping track of every single detail to make sure it’s fair. Ammit is the scary creature with the head of a crocodile, lion’s body, and back end of a hippopotamus. She eats the hearts of those found unworthy. Imagine Ammit as the one who stops only the right people from moving on to the afterlife.
These gods work closely with Anubis. Anubis leads the souls to the hall for judgment, where Ma’at’s feather of truth weighs their hearts. Thoth stands nearby, ready to write down the result, while Ammit waits to eat the hearts of those who don’t pass. This team effort makes sure the journey through the afterlife is fair and orderly. Here’s a table to show you what each god does and their key attributes:
| God | Role in the Afterlife | Attributes |
|---|---|---|
| Ma’at | Goddess of truth and fairness, keeps balance in Weighing of the Heart ritual | Feather of truth, ostrich feather hat |
| Thoth | God of wisdom and writing, notes the outcomes of the judgment | Ibis head, writing tools, moon on his head |
| Ammit | Eats hearts of the unfair, stops the unworthy | Crocodile head, lion body, hippo back |
This table shows the special jobs of each god, illustrating how they work with Anubis to keep balance and order in the afterlife.
The Trip Through the Underworld
After looking at the jobs of many gods in the afterlife, let us now look into the journey that souls go on through the underworld.
The Heart Weighing Ceremony
The Weighing of the Heart ceremony is an essential event in the Egyptian afterlife, which shows if a soul is good enough for forever peace. Think of it like a trial where the heart, believed to be where feelings and morality live, is weighed against the feather of Ma’at, who is the goddess of truth and justice.
If the heart is lighter or the same weight as the feather, the soul is seen as pure and can go into the Field of Reeds, which is a paradise-like afterlife. However, if the heart is heavier, it shows a life of sin, and the soul gets a terrible fate.
Anubis has a vital job in this ceremony, being both guide and leader. He takes the dead to the scales and makes sure everything is fair. Anubis places the heart on one side of the scale and the feather of Ma’at on the other. His presence is vital, as he keeps the fairness of the judgment process. Here are the steps involved in the Weighing of the Heart ceremony:
- Guide to Judgment: Anubis takes the soul to the hall of Ma’at.
- Get the Scales Ready: Anubis gets the scales ready for weighing.
- Put the Heart: The heart of the dead is put on one side of the scale.
- Put the Feather: The feather of Ma’at is put on the other side.
- Watch and Record: Thoth, the god of wisdom, writes down the result.
- Decision: If the heart is lighter or the same, the soul gets to go into the afterlife; if it is heavier, Ammit eats it.
This ceremony highlights how important it is to live a good life, as the outcome directly affects the soul’s forever destiny.
The Twelve Rooms of Hell
In Egyptian stories, the underworld has twelve rooms. They are called the twelve rooms of hell. Each room is a different tough test that the soul must get through. Think of these rooms like stages in a game, and each one has its own special problem you must solve. Anubis, the god with a jackal head, acts as the guide for souls who are going through these dangerous rooms.
He helps with protection and advice, helping the souls handle the dangers and problems in each room. These tests are made to check the soul’s purity and if it is good enough, only the good souls can go to the final judgment.
Anubis’ part is very important, because he not only leads the souls through these tests, but also gives the needed help for them to win, which shows how important he is in the journey through the underworld.
Anubis guides souls through tough tests in the Egyptian underworld, providing protection and advice to help them pass each room and reach final judgment.
The Last Judgment and the Field of Reeds
The last judgment in the Egyptian afterlife is like a graduation event, where the soul’s journey ends in a big moment. Anubis has a big role in this, taking the soul to the scales where its heart gets weighed against the feather of Ma’at.
When the soul passes this test, it can go into the Field of Reeds, which is a paradise-like place that is the main prize for a good life. The Field of Reeds is seen as an endless, perfect version of Egypt, where the good people can have never-ending peace and happiness.
This final place shows how important living a good life is, as only the ones who lived just lives can reach this happy afterlife. Anubis guides through the judgment process, making sure the move to the Field of Reeds is fair and orderly, showing his key role in the soul’s journey.
Symbols and Pictures of Anubis
Now, after looking at Anubis’ main roles in the afterlife, let’s look at the symbols and artwork that show this interesting god.
Symbols Linked with Anubis
Anubis is often shown with several main objects that signal his job in the afterlife. The ankh, a cross with a loop at the top, means life and never-ending life, like a key that opens forever life. The scepter, seen in his hand, means power and control, showing his place as a guard and protector. The scales are likely the most important, as in the Weighing of the Heart ceremony they are used to judge the purity of souls. All of these things are important in showing Anubis’ duties and importance in Egyptian stories. Here are the main objects connected with Anubis and what they mean:
- Ankh: Means life and never-ending life.
- Scepter: Means power and control.
- Scales: Used in the Weighing of the Heart ceremony to judge souls.
These objects not only define Anubis’ tasks but also show how important he is in leading and protecting souls on their way to the afterlife.
Anubis in Art and Buildings
Anubis shows up a lot in old Egyptian art and buildings, often with a jackal head and a human body, showing his job as a protector of the dead. His pictures decorate the walls of tombs, where he watches over the mummification process or guides souls to the afterlife, like a guardian in today’s memorials.
For example, in King Tutankhamun’s tomb, there’s a statue of Anubis at the entrance, and at the Temple of Hatshepsut, there are detailed carvings of Anubis in different ceremonial roles. Items like amulets and statues show Anubis a lot too, showing how important he was in funerary practices and the afterlife.
These artistic pictures not only show Anubis’ protective and guiding jobs but also prove his lasting importance in old Egyptian culture.
FAQs
1. Who is the main guardian of the underworld in Egyptian mythology?
The main guardian of the underworld in Egyptian mythology is Anubis, who oversees the protection of graves and guides souls to the afterlife.
2. How did Anubis get tied to the underworld?
Anubis got tied to the underworld through his role as the protector of graves and guide of souls to the afterlife in ancient Egyptian mythology.
3. What part does Osiris play in the afterlife?
Osiris plays the part of the judge of the dead and ruler of the underworld in the afterlife.
4. Are there any other gods involved in the Egyptian view of the afterlife?
Other gods involved in the Egyptian view of the afterlife include Ma’at, Thoth, and Ammit.
