Anubis

The God's Role

Anubis holds dominion over the embalming aspects of mummification and holds sovereignty over decay caused by time and the resistance to decay. He appears numerous times in the Kemetic Book of the Coming Forth/Going by Day or the [Page 61]Egyptian Book of the Dead, as well as in funeral text and tomb and coffin texts. Anubis was the original god of the dead before Ausar's reign. During the reign of Ausar, he serves as an aid and a helper. The scope and importance of his influence is evidenced by his role in the resurrection of Ausar. It was Anubis who judged Ausar's worthiness at death. He is depicted in some texts professing to be the protector of Ausar. Anubis used his influence against time and decay when wrapping Ausar's body in his characteristic linens, which were made by Auset and her twin sister, Nebt-het. In this way, Ausar's body would never decay.

Figure, Egyptian statue, Anubis. Anubis was the guardian of the dead, who greeted the souis in the Underworld and protected them on their journey. Ancient art photographed in Carisberg Giyptotek, Copenhagen, Denmark.

Source: Hans Laubel/iStockphoto.

As aid to Ausar in the underworld, Anubis is often depicted in funerary text assisting with the balancing of the heart of the dead against the feather of Maat. He presides over the questioning of the dead in the affirmations of Maat by a tribunal of 42 Gods in the Hall of Maati or the Hall of Double Truths. Anubis balances the Tongue of Great Balance, depicted as a scale, and received the heart of the Dead. He relays the worthiness of the Dead to Ausar, receives and presents the symbols of the dead's worthiness, and acts as an intermediary between the Dead and the gods. However, he also protects, prepares, and cares for the Dead on their journey in the afterlife. Anubis is instrumental in the preparation of the body of the dead and preparing the dead for the trial of Maat.

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