A God of Predynastic origins, depicted either as a full jackal or as a jackal-headed man, Anubis originally as Khenty-amentiu or "Foremost of Westerners" was both the embalmer and caretaker of the deceased, and guardian of the tomb and necropolis.

His depiction was probably due to the fact that jackals would hunt at the edges of the desert, near to the cemeteries throughout Egypt.

Over time Osiris's popularity would absorb much of Anubis's nature, causing Him to be written into the myths as Osiris's son by Nephthys (or alternately Set's son or Isis's son). Anubis was relegated to the role of embalmer and overseer of the funerary processes. Anubis was also the guide for the deceased soul. In Egyptian iconography, Anubis can be seen leading the deceased person into the Hall of Double Truth, where He then weighs the deceased's heart against the Feather of Ma'at.

Masks of Anubis were routinely worn by the priest officiating at the funeral and the 70-day mummification process. The images seen of Anubis wrapping bandages, pouring oils or embracing the coffin are generally not actually images of the God Himself, but of His servants doing His work.

In later times Anubis would be syncretized with Greek Hermes and seen as a psychopompos or "Messenger of the Gods".