Jackals were associated with death, because they lurked around cemeteries and would eat decomposing flesh. Therefore, by making Anubis the patron deity of jackals, the Egyptians hoped to protect the bodies from being devoured.
What does Anubis head symbolize?
The symbol of Anubis — a black canine or a muscular man with the head of a black jackal — the ancient Egyptian god of the dead was said to oversee every aspect of the process of dying. He facilitated mummification, protected the graves of the dead, and decided whether or not one's soul should be granted eternal life.
What does jackal head mean?
The Egyptian jackal gods, represented with jackal heads on human bodies or entirely as animals, are distinctively Egyptian deities. They served essential functions in the Egyptians' understanding of what happened after death and acted as guides and protectors in the complex process of reaching the afterlife.
Why Anubis has a dog head?
Often represented by a man with the head of a jackal (cynocephalus literally means "dogheaded"), Anubis is said to have that feature because jackals specifically were associated with death and were known to lurk around cemeteries looking for meals of decomposing flesh.
What is a jackal Anubis?
Anubis, a supreme deity with a jackal or dog-like countenance, presided over mummification and the afterlife. In fact, Egyptian images of Anubis seem to merge the characteristics of jackals, dogs, and foxes. He is depicted as a black canine with pointed ears, or as a muscular man with a head of a canine.
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