In ancient Egyptian culture, dogs were revered as sacred animals, often associated with gods and goddesses.
The Egyptians believed that dogs possessed a deep connection to the afterlife, as they were seen as guides for the deceased on their journey.
One of the most iconic dog gods was Anubis, often depicted as a jackal-headed deity.
Anubis was associated with mummification and the afterlife, where he would protect and guide the dead through the underworld.
Egyptian Dog Gods
Egyptian dog gods names are a fascinating way to connect with ancient Egyptian culture. You can choose from a variety of powerful and meaningful names for your furry friend.
Ra is the Sun god, perfect for a bright and energetic pup. Isis is the Goddess of magic, marriage, and fertility, making her a great choice for a loving and nurturing dog.
Osiris is the God of the afterlife, resurrection, and agriculture, which could be fitting for a dog that's always coming back to life after a nap. Anubis is the God of embalming and the dead, which might suit a dog with a mysterious or quirky personality.
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Bastet is the Goddess of home, fertility, and protection, ideal for a dog that's always looking out for its family. Horus is the God of the sky, kingship, and protection, making him a great choice for a brave and loyal pup.
Here are some other Egyptian dog gods names you might consider:
- Ra
- Isis
- Osiris
- Anubis
- Bastet
- Horus
- Amun
- Hathor
- Sobek
- Nut
- Seth
- Ma'at
- Thoth
- Sekhmet
- Ptah
- Nephthys
- Khnum
- Tefnut
- Hapi
- Wadjet
Characteristics and Symbolism
Anubis, one of the most important deities of ancient Egypt, was often depicted in animal form or mixed form with the body of a man and the head of an animal.
The animal that symbolized Anubis has been identified as a wild dog, an Egyptian wolf, or a jackal, but its exact species remains unclear due to its physical characteristics that somewhat distinguish it from all three.
In ancient Egyptian art, Anubis is usually depicted in black, a color that holds significant symbolic meaning beyond its physical reality.
Black was associated with regeneration and rebirth in ancient Egyptian culture, a stark contrast to its modern connotation of night and death.
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Anubis's ability to change shape is another notable characteristic, which became more prominent during the Old Kingdom era when he became the most important god of the dead.
He was often depicted holding the hand of the dead to guide them to Osiris, a powerful symbol of his role in the afterlife.
Facts and Epithets
Anubis was known by many names, reflecting his importance in ancient Egyptian mythology. He was often referred to as the "Lord of the necropolis".
One of Anubis' most notable titles was "Lord of the Sacred Land" or "Lord of the Sacred Country". This emphasizes his role in protecting the sacred spaces and rituals of ancient Egyptian society.
Anubis was also associated with the afterlife, where he was said to "preside over the divine chapel" and "count hearts". This suggests a deep understanding of the mysteries of death and the afterlife.
Some of Anubis' most intriguing titles include "He who stands upon his mountain" and "He who presides over the divine chapel". These epithets paint a vivid picture of a powerful and majestic deity.
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Here are some of Anubis' notable titles:
- “Lord of the necropolis”
- “Lord of the Sacred Land”
- “Lord of the Sacred Country”
- “Lord of Rosetau”
- “He who stands upon his mountain”
- “Lord of the caves”
- “He who presides over the divine chapel”
- “The one who is in the chamber of embalming”
- “Lord of the embalmers”
- “He who is over the bandages”
- “He who counts hearts”
- “The Lord of Nubia”
- “The one who eats his father”
Specific Gods
If you're looking for a unique and meaningful name for your dog, consider drawing inspiration from Ancient Egyptian gods. Egyptian culture is rich in mythology, and many of their gods have fascinating stories and characteristics that could make for a great dog name.
Here are some specific Egyptian gods that might suit your pup: Ra, the sun god, and Isis, the goddess of magic, marriage, and fertility, are both excellent choices. Osiris, the god of the afterlife, resurrection, and agriculture, could also be a fitting name for a dog. Anubis, the god of embalming and the dead, is another interesting option.
Some other Egyptian gods worth considering are Bastet, the goddess of home, fertility, and protection, and Horus, the god of the sky, kingship, and protection.
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Wepwawet
Wepwawet was a god of war, hunting, and the underworld in ancient Egyptian mythology. His name means "Opener of the Ways" and he was often depicted as a wolf or a jackal-headed man.
Wepwawet's symbols were the mace, wolf, and arrows, which reflect his association with war and hunting. He was also associated with the pharaohs and their military campaigns.
Wepwawet played a crucial role in guiding the souls of the deceased through the underworld, as one of the few ancient Egyptian gods that can open a gate to the underworld of Duat. This makes him a key figure in funerary rites and the afterlife.
Wepwawet was sometimes identified with Anubis as his son, another jackal-headed god of the underworld, or with Osiris, the lord of the dead. His parents were Set and Nepthys.
Here are the key roles and attributes of Wepwawet:
- Role: Deity of Funerary Rites and War
- Attributes: Protector of the sacred places, guide for the souls of the deceased, and opener of the ways to the underworld
Anubis Origins
Anubis was initially the most powerful son of Ra, the sun god, who later became powerful in the underworld.
As the preeminent deity of the early Egyptian dynasties, Anubis was often depicted as a jackal-headed god or a jackal.
He was first invoked to ask for protection from the dead, and often appears caring for the corpse of the king, presiding over mummification rites and funerals.
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Anubis' association with Nephthys, known as the "Friend of the Dead", and Qebehut emphasizes his enduring role as protector of the dead and guide to the souls in the afterlife.
His name, Anubis, is actually a Greek deformation of his real name Inpu in Egyptian or Anoub in Coptic.
Some translations of hieroglyphs suggest that Anubis had several epithets and names that referred to him, such as "Lord of the necropolis", "Lord of the Sacred Land", and "He who stands upon his mountain."
Here are some of the epithets and names of Anubis:
- “Lord of the necropolis”
- “Lord of the Sacred Land”
- “Lord of the Sacred Country”
- “Lord of Rosetau”
- “He who stands upon his mountain”
- “Lord of the caves”
- “He who presides over the divine chapel”
- “The one who is in the chamber of embalming”
- “Lord of the embalmers”
- “He who is over the bandages”
- “He who counts hearts”
- “The Lord of Nubia”
- “The one who eats his father”
Sources
- https://www.dogster.com/lifestyle/dog-gods
- https://www.trustedhousesitters.com/blog/pets/god-dog-names/
- https://www.glencairnmuseum.org/newsletter/2023/10/25/companions-and-guardians-dogs-and-jackals-in-ancient-egypt
- https://jakadatoursegypt.com/egyptian-dog-god/
- https://www.egypttoursportal.com/en-us/the-most-famous-ancient-egyptian-mythology-gods-goddess/
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