Definition

Proper noun * Egyptian god of tombs and ruler of the underworld: Anubis is a deity in ancient Egyptian religion, associated with mummification, the afterlife, cemeteries, and the protection of graves. He is traditionally depicted as a man with the head of a jackal or a wild dog.

Usage Examples

• Proper noun:
  • In Egyptian mythology, Anubis weighed the hearts of the dead against the feather of Ma'at.
  • Priests performing mummification rituals often wore masks of Anubis.
  • The ancient Egyptians prayed to Anubis for protection in the afterlife.

Advanced Usage

• "Cult of Anubis": Refers to the religious worship and practices dedicated to this god.
  • The Cult of Anubis was particularly prominent during the Early Dynastic Period.
• "Anubis gate" or "gate of Anubis": A symbolic or mythological entrance to the underworld guarded by the god.
  • The deceased hoped to pass safely through the gate of Anubis.

Variants and Related Words

• Anubian (adj): A modern, non-standard adjective meaning "of or relating to Anubis."
  • The artifact had distinct Anubian imagery.
• Inpu/Anpu: The original Egyptian name for the god, which "Anubis" is derived from.

Synonyms

• Psychopomp: A general term for a deity or spirit that guides souls to the afterlife (Anubis is a specific psychopomp).
• Funerary deity: A god associated with death and burial rites.

Related Concepts

• Weighing of the Heart: The specific judgment ceremony presided over by Anubis.
  • The "Weighing of the Heart" was a central moment in the journey to the afterlife.
• Jackal-headed: Describes the most common iconographic form of Anubis.
  • The jackal-headed statue was an effigy of Anubis.

Noun

1. Egyptian god of tombs and ruler of the underworld; usually depicted as a man with the head of a jackal