Anubis

Features: Tall human male with the head of a jackal

Source: Egyptian Mythology

Habitat: Tombs and cemeteries



The Anubis was a large, tall and human-like creature with the black head of a jackal. The darkness of the head symbolized the color of rotting flesh and the black soil of the Nile Valley.

This significant dark soil represented rebirth. His main role was to guard the tombs and cemeteries of the dead and protect them during their journey to the afterlife.

With the merging of different religious beliefs, other gods took the place of and eventually lessened this creature’s importance. Nevertheless, he was made the patron god of embalmers. During the ceremonies of funerary rites, priests would adorn the black mask of a jackal.



In other accounts, this god of the dead was represented with the full, black jackal form wearing a ribbon and holding a flail. Statues were made of this version and placed over tombs for added protection into the afterlife.

IN THE MOVIES

This god of the underworld provides the Scorpion King with countless legions of jackal headed warriors to carry out his revenge. They sweep across Egypt destroying everything in their path. The powerful god of the underworld then takes the Scorpion King’s soul and his army.

An Egyptian cult resurrects Imhotep to use his powers to defeat the Scorpion King. This is carried out with the goal of having Imhotep in charge of the Scorpions King’s deadly army of jackal headed humanoid soldiers.