Anput facts for kids

Anput is an ancient goddess from Ancient Egypt. She was known as the goddess of the seventeenth Nome (or district) in Upper Egypt. Anput was also seen as a protector of the desert and a guardian. She was the mother of Kebechet.

Who is Anput?

Anput is an important figure in ancient Egyptian mythology. She was often linked with her husband, Anubis, who was the god of mummification and the afterlife. Anput's name is actually the female version of Anubis's name.

Anput's Appearance and Symbols

Anput was usually shown as a woman with the head of a canine (like a dog or jackal). Sometimes, she was shown as a jackal or a dog herself. She was often depicted wearing a special standard on her head, which included a jackal. This showed her connection to the desert and her role as a protector.

Her Role and Importance

Anput's main roles included protecting the dead and guiding them through the afterlife. As a goddess of the desert, she was also connected to the wild and untamed areas of Egypt. Her role as a protector meant she watched over people and places, especially in her home district, the seventeenth Nome.

The Seventeenth Nome

A "Nome" was like a province or a district in ancient Egypt. Each nome had its own capital city and local gods. Anput was the special goddess of the seventeenth Nome of Upper Egypt, which means she was highly respected and worshipped in that area.

Anput's Family

Anput was the wife of Anubis, the famous jackal-headed god. Together, they had a daughter named Kebechet. Kebechet was a goddess of purification, who helped the dead and refreshed their spirits. This family played a key part in the Egyptian beliefs about death and the journey to the afterlife.

See Also

• Anubis
• Kebechet
• Ancient Egyptian religion

Images for kids

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  Anput (right) depicted on a triad statue with Hathor and the Pharaoh Menkaure

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  Hathor, King Menkaura, and Anput