Gold God Anubis Pendant Necklace

Anubis, one of ancient Egypt's most revered deities, is often depicted with the head of a jackal and associated with mummification and the afterlife. Here's a professional summary of his history:

Anubis, known as Inpu or Anpu in ancient Egyptian, emerged as a prominent deity during the Early Dynastic Period (c. 3100–2686 BCE). His role evolved significantly over millennia but centered primarily on funerary rites and the process of embalming. Anubis was believed to oversee the journey of souls into the afterlife, guarding the scales used in the judgment of the dead against the feather of Ma'at, symbolizing truth and justice.

Originally, Anubis was linked to the preservation and protection of the deceased. He was often invoked during the mummification process, where his guidance was sought to ensure the safe passage of the soul into the next realm. Anubis's association with jackals, scavengers known to frequent Egyptian burial grounds, likely contributed to his role as a guardian of the deceased and their tombs.

As Egyptian religious beliefs developed, Anubis became increasingly integrated into the mythology surrounding Osiris, the god of the afterlife and rebirth. In this context, Anubis was believed to be the son of Osiris and Nephthys or sometimes Bastet. He played a crucial role in the resurrection of Osiris and became an integral figure in the funerary rituals and beliefs of ancient Egypt.

Anubis's worship was widespread throughout Egypt, with major cult centers in regions such as Abydos, where he was revered as a patron deity. His popularity endured through various dynasties, evidenced by numerous depictions in tombs, temples, and funerary texts like the Book of the Dead.

In art, Anubis is typically depicted as a jackal-headed figure or occasionally in human form with the head of a jackal or wearing a jackal mask. His presence in Egyptian mythology underscores the profound importance of death and the afterlife in ancient Egyptian culture, where rituals and beliefs surrounding death were central to religious practice and societal beliefs.