Anubis: Guardian of the Afterlife

Anubis is one of the most iconic deities of ancient Egypt, known as the god of mummification, embalming, and the afterlife. Usually depicted as a man with the black head of a jackal or wild dog, Anubis symbolized both protection and guidance for the dead. The black color, representing the fertile soil of the Nile, also symbolized regeneration and rebirth.

As the divine embalmer, Anubis was believed to oversee the mummification process and protect the body for its journey into the next world. He was also a psychopomp—a guide of souls—leading the deceased through the underworld and standing by during the “Weighing of the Heart” ceremony. In this ritual, the heart of the dead was weighed against the feather of Ma’at (truth). If the heart was pure, the soul would pass into the afterlife; if not, it would be devoured by the goddess Ammit.

Though eventually overshadowed by Osiris in the Egyptian pantheon, Anubis remained a deeply respected and revered figure. His image was often placed in tombs and sarcophagi for spiritual protection. Even today, Anubis symbolizes the mysteries of death, transition, and the eternal balance between life and the afterlife.