A Egyption Tale: The Hidden Twin of Anubis
Long ago, in the magical land of ancient Egypt, where pyramids touched the sky and the Nile flowed like a ribbon through the desert, there lived a god that everyone knew—Anubis.
With the head of a jackal and the heart of a protector, Anubis was the god of the afterlife. He helped guide the souls of the dead, carefully weighing their hearts to decide if they were worthy of peace. He was wise, kind, and strong.
But what many people don’t know is that Anubis once had a hidden twin—a brother forgotten by time, whose story was kept secret in the shadows.
A Secret Birth
Anubis was born to the goddess Nephthys, but in some versions of the story, she had two sons, not one. While Anubis was born under the light of Ra, the sun god, his twin brother was born in silence, during the dark hours of night.
This second child was named Anpu-Ra, a mysterious god who shared Anubis’s jackal features but had glowing golden eyes and powers that were a mixture of light and darkness.
But why was his birth kept hidden?
The gods feared that two brothers with powers over life and death might cause confusion or imbalance. So, the younger twin, Anpu-Ra, was taken far away—hidden in a temple deep in the desert, guarded by magic.
The Temple of Shadows
Anpu-Ra grew up surrounded by whispering winds and ancient scrolls. He learned to read the stars, speak to the spirits, and understand the balance between light and dark. While Anubis guided souls to the afterlife, Anpu-Ra watched over forgotten souls, lost in between worlds—souls with no one to guide them.
He became a guardian of the shadow path, the in-between space where lost souls wandered.
Though Anpu-Ra loved his duty, he often wondered, “Why must I live in hiding? Why does no one know my name?”
The Day the Balance Broke
One day, chaos struck the afterlife. A dark spirit, born from lies and fear, escaped its prison and began eating the hearts of innocent souls. Even Anubis, strong and wise, could not stop it alone.
The scales of Ma’at, which judged truth and lies, cracked under the weight of the spirit’s evil.
Desperate for help, Anubis called out to the sky, “Who will help me protect the path of souls?”
That’s when a golden light appeared from the desert. A figure stepped forward, glowing softly like the setting sun.
“I will,” said the voice. “For I am your brother.”
The Twins Unite
Anubis stared in shock. “Brother? How can this be?”
Anpu-Ra nodded. “I was hidden long ago, but I have watched from the shadows. Now, I have come to help restore the balance.”
Together, the twin gods stood side by side—Anubis with his black jackal head, calm and wise, and Anpu-Ra with golden eyes and a glowing staff. They entered the realm of lost souls and faced the dark spirit.
It was a battle of heart and courage.
Anubis used truth. Anpu-Ra used light.
In the end, the spirit was sealed away, and the scales of Ma’at were healed.
A New Role for the Hidden Twin
The gods, watching from above, were amazed. They had feared the twin would bring chaos, but instead, he brought harmony.
Ra, the sun god, spoke: “Let it be known. Anpu-Ra, the hidden twin, shall no longer be forgotten. He shall watch over the paths unseen, where even shadows can find light.”
Anpu-Ra bowed, not for fame, but because he was proud to help.
What We Can Learn from the Hidden Twin
- Everyone has a purpose, even if it’s hidden at first.
- Light and dark can work together to bring balance.
- Being forgotten doesn’t mean being unimportant.
- Helping others is the greatest way to be remembered.
To this day, some say that if you walk through the desert at dusk, when the sun meets the sand, you might see two jackals—one black and one golden—walking side by side, guarding the world of spirits.
And now, you know the truth: Anubis never walked alone.