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Egyptian Artifacts

Lord of the Nine Bows

Did you know that Anubis 𓇋𓈖𓊪𓅱𓃣 was referred to as the “Lord 𓎟 of the Nine Bows 𓐀𓏺𓏏” in certain religious texts? The most famous example of the use of this title for Anubis 𓇋𓈖𓊪𓅱𓃣 is from the Pyramid Texts! Let’s take a closer look at what this means! 

The “nine bows 𓐀𓏺𓏏” was a phrase that was used to refer to the enemies of Egypt 𓆎𓅓𓏏𓊖. Egyptologists and historians actually still don’t know the exact countries or territories were represented by the nine bows 𓐀𓏺𓏏, but they are agreed to be foreign lands. 

Lord of the Nine Bows
Anubis, the Lord of the Nine Bows on a scarab/seal on display at the MET.

In statues 𓏏𓅱𓏏𓀾𓏪, pharaohs 𓉐𓉻𓏥 can be depicted standing on nine bows 𓐀𓏺𓏏, however on scarabs 𓐍𓊪𓂋𓂋𓆣𓏪 or seals such as this one pictured, the nine bows 𓐀𓏺𓏏 are represented by the images of nine captives with their hands tied behind their backs. A recumbent jackal (aka Anubis 𓇋𓈖𓊪𓅱𓃣) is seen presiding over the nine captives. 

Anubis 𓇋𓈖𓊪𓅱𓃣 is most commonly known as the god 𓊹 of mummification 𓋴𓂧𓐍𓅱𓐎, however, in many early myths he had proven himself in battle hence why he was given the title “Lord 𓎟 of the Nine Bows 𓐀𓏺𓏏.” 

Seals such as these were popular in the Theban necropolis during the 18th Dynasty. This is such a small piece, but one that contains so much meaning. I of course love it because I look for any representation of Anubis 𓇋𓈖𓊪𓅱𓃣 that I can find! 

This is my personal photograph and original text. DO NOT repost. 

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