Discover the Top 12 Fun Facts about Anubis: Unveiling the Secrets of Ancient Egypt's Jackal-Headed God

1. Jackal of All Trades

Who let the dogs out – err, the jackals? Anubis, that's who: Often portrayed as a jackal-headed deity, Anubis was actually the multitasking god of funerary rites, protector of graves, mummy makeover specialist, and underworld tour guide in ancient Egyptian mythology, all without starring in his own prime time myth.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

2. Divine Family Drama

Talk about a divine soap opera: Nephthys transforms into her sister-in-law, Isis, to seduce her brother-in-law, Osiris, resulting in the birth of Anubis. But don't worry, Isis eventually adopts Anubis as her own, explaining his role as a son of both Osiris and Nephthys in the world of Egyptian mythology.
Source => worldhistory.org

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=> Fun Facts about Egypt

3. African Golden Wolf Inspiration

Who let the dogs out? Apparently, ancient Egypt did: Recent studies suggest that Anubis, the iconic Egyptian God, might have been modeled after the African golden wolf (Canis lupaster) rather than the Egyptian golden jackal as previously thought, making it a howling good time for accurate canine representation in mythology!
Source => en.wikipedia.org

4. Heart vs. Feather Showdown

Can you weigh a heart? That's the million-dollar question at the world's strangest Weight Watchers meeting (don't worry, I've Anubis' number if anyone needs a personal weigh-in!): Contrary to popular belief, Anubis wasn't actually concerned with the weight of the heart during the afterlife judgment process. Instead, he oversaw the weighing of Maat's feather of truth against the heart, ensuring the accuracy of the process and recording the results. Now that's one way to keep a balance between the living and the dead!
Source => carnegiemnh.org

5. Anubis' Fabulous Accessories

As a true fashionista of the ancient world, Anubis believed in accessorizing his way to divinity, complete with a protective ribbon and a jackal-headed stick that even the pharaohs would die for: Anubis wore a "usekh" collar for its protective powers, signifying divinity and royalty, while sporting a "was" staff to symbolize authority and power, ensuring his reign over the afterlife remained undeniably fabulous.
Source => learnreligions.com

6. The Stylish God of the Underworld

Decked out like a doggy dandy and more emo than your average goth teen, Anubis made weighing hearts and feathers a spectacularly stylish affair: As the ancient Egyptian's go-to god for afterlife care, Anubis' jackal-headed figure symbolized his role in the underworld, while his black coloration represented regeneration, life, and the Nile's soil, securing his place as an iconic deity affectionately known by various names like Inpu and Anpu.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

7. Anubis' Roman Fan Club

Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither was Anubis' fan club in the empire: In ancient Rome, some saw the worship of Anubis as a symbol of decadence, yet he continued to have a loyal fanbase within the cult of Isis, which remained a hit among Romans until the 4th century AD.
Source => exhibitions.kelsey.lsa.umich.edu

8. Anubis as a Villain on TV

Oh, how the mighty have fallen – into villainous roles! From a feared supernatural figure to starring in cosmic soap operas, our favorite jackal-headed god has taken quite the turn: In Stargate SG-1, Anubis's divine credentials took the backseat, as he was portrayed as a member of the malevolent alien race known as the Goa'uld, stirring up trouble for Earth's finest.
Source => theancientplanet.wordpress.com

9. Participating in the Sed Festival

Step aside, 30-year high school reunions: ancient Egyptians knew how to party every 30 years with the Sed Festival, featuring their favorite jackal-headed god, Anubis! In a display of mummy-approved athleticism, this fest involved the ruling king proving his fitness through processions, running, and arrow shooting – all in the name of celebrating the good old wolf-god Sed, the OG of strength, justice, and balance. Bring on the food and beer!
Source => worldhistory.org

10. Mummy Makeover Expert

If Anubis was a Yelp reviewer, he'd say mummies were "wrapped to perfection": This ancient jackal-headed god was in charge of embalming and mummification, ensuring the dead had makeovers suitable for the afterlife, and even gave their hearts a weigh-in to determine their post-mortem fate.
Source => kids.britannica.com

11. Anubis and Dog Breeds: No Connection

If Anubis were a dog show judge, he'd have some familiar breeds to work with: behold the Pharaoh Hound and Ibizan Hound as ye olde Egyptian favorites! But alas: there's no evidence linking Anubis' jackal-headed portrayal with the breeding of such magnificent hounds, as they were originally bred for hunting and guarding endeavors in ancient Egypt.
Source => thesprucepets.com

12. Anubis: The Original Mouth-opener

While Anubis might not have been the original tooth fairy nor dabbled in afterlife orthodontics, he certainly cared about keeping you fed in the great beyond: As the ancient Egyptian god associated with the afterlife, Anubis didn't magically reopen mouths of the deceased, but rather, oversaw the "opening of the mouth" ritual, which reanimated an individual's life force (ka) and allowed them to eat and drink in the afterlife, while also guiding their soul through the peril-riddled journey to their final resting place.
Source => education.nationalgeographic.org