1. God of the Dead:
Anubis was primarily known as the god of the dead, playing a crucial role in funerary rituals and the afterlife. He was considered the protector and guide of the deceased, ensuring their safe passage to the realm of the dead. Egyptians believed that Anubis conducted the weighing of the heart ceremony during the journey to the afterlife, where the deceased's heart was compared to the feather of Maat (truth) to determine worthiness for eternal life.
2. Embalming and Mummification:
As the god closely associated with the dead and the afterlife, Anubis was invoked and revered during embalming and mummification processes. He was seen as the divine protector of the deceased's body, ensuring its preservation for the journey to the next life.
3. Guide to the Underworld:
Anubis was believed to lead the souls of the departed through the underworld, often depicted in Egyptian art holding the deceased's hand or guiding them through the various stages of the afterlife journey.
4. Guardian of Tombs:
Anubis was revered as the guardian of tombs, ensuring the protection of the deceased from intruders and malevolent forces that may seek to disturb the peace of the departed. He was often depicted as a jackal or a man with a jackal's head, standing watch over tombs and funerary sites.
5. Opener of the Ways:
Anubis held the title of "Opener of the Ways," symbolizing his ability to open pathways and facilitate the journey of the deceased through the underworld. He was believed to possess the knowledge of secret passages and gateways leading to the afterlife.
6. Associated with the Jackal:
Anubis was frequently represented as a jackal or a man with a jackal's head. The jackal, commonly found in the desert regions of Egypt, was associated with funerary practices due to its scavenging habits, which were seen as a means of guiding souls through the underworld.
In conclusion, Anubis played a central and indispensable role in ancient Egyptian beliefs and funerary practices. As the god of the dead, he protected and guided the deceased, ensured the preservation of their bodies, led them through the underworld, guarded their tombs, and acted as a facilitator between the living and the realm of the dead.