Why is Anubis given a scarf in some representations?

Question

Two links containing images of Anubis with scarf;https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anubis_Shrinehttps://de.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/AnubisIn some representations Anubis wears what seems to be a scarf. Why is he wearing a ‘scarf’ around his neck? Anubis seems only to wear it in dog/jackal form and in relation to shrines.

Answer 1

Great Question! The answer goes all the way back into Egyptian mythology and their religious practices. Anubis is associated with death and dying, often represented as a jackal or dog. In some depictions he is wearing a red "sash" or "Sa Sign" around his neck. He is known, in the legends, for being protective, not defensive and the sign signifies his protection of the other female deities. Sometimes he appears next to the dieity known for helping childbirth with this same sash on, representing that he is helping protect the deity to do her job, and not allow the child to die.