Who is the Egyptian god associated with embalming, described as having the head of a jackal?

The Egyptian god associated with embalming and often depicted with the head of a jackal is Anubis. In ancient Egyptian mythology, Anubis was primarily recognized as the god of funerary rites, responsible for protecting the dead and overseeing the process of mummification. His jackal head symbolizes his connection to the cemeteries, where jackals were known to scavenge, linking him to death and the afterlife.

Anubis played a crucial role in guiding souls to the afterlife and ensuring the deceased's safe passage through judgment. His importance in the embalming process stems from the religious practices surrounding death in ancient Egypt, where mummification was essential for preserving the body for the afterlife, a duty closely associated with Anubis.

Each of the other deities has distinct roles in Egyptian mythology; for example, Horus is often linked to kingship and the sky, Osiris is associated with resurrection and the afterlife, and Bastet is known as the goddess of home and fertility, often represented with a lioness or domestic cat head. Therefore, Anubis stands out distinctly as the god of embalming and the protector of the dead.