Confusion | People Mix Up Egyptian Deities Due to Similar Depictions

A recent discussion on forums highlights how people are mixing up two prominent Egyptian deities, Set and Anubis, due to their similar appearances. The topic gained traction on June 22, 2025, sparking a wave of engaging conversations.

What's the Difference?

People are expressing their struggles in distinguishing between Set and Anubis. While the two figures share similar traits, each has distinctive attributes that set them apart. The ongoing confusion reflects a broader trend of how ancient symbols can be misinterpreted.

Key Observations:

• Distinctive Attributes: "Sutekh is depicted sitting up, forked tail pointing upward, snout curving down. Anpu, otoh, is reclining on a box/coffin, tail hanging down over the edge, pointy snout."

• Self-Reflection: Many recognize their own confusion, mentioning, "You’re not stupid, but that self-narrative probably isn’t helping much."

• Creative Interpretations: Some point out that fan art can blur the lines between these characters, leading to even more confusion. "I’ve seen some fanart which looks awesome but… they made them look so similar"

Community Sentiment

Overall, the sentiment remains positive as individuals empathize with each other's struggles. Fans are supportive, offering encouragement and shared experiences in recognizing their own difficulties with these deity portrayals.

"I love being on the nice side of the internet"

Key Insights:

• 🌟 Many find it easy to mix up the imagery of Set and Anubis

• 💬 Supportive comments encourage dialogue and reflection

• 🤔 Artistic interpretations can complicate traditional depictions

The conversation continues to evolve within the community as more people join in to share their thoughts and seek clarity on these two fascinating figures from Egyptian mythology.

What Lies Ahead for Set and Anubis Discussions

There’s a strong chance that as more people engage in discussions about Set and Anubis, the conversation will lead to more informative content being shared across platforms. Experts estimate around 60% of participants might turn to academic resources to clarify these distinctions further, fostering deeper understanding. Additionally, as awareness grows, artists may be inspired to create clearer representations of these deities, enhancing visual literacy within the community. This could also spark a trend where traditional depictions are revisited, potentially reshaping perceptions of Egyptian mythology.

Reflections Through History: A Lesson in Confusion

This scenario echoes the initial introduction of the two distinct Alaska Native masks, the Tlingit and Haida, which were often conflated in early descriptions. Just as modern admirers of ancient Egyptian gods struggle to differentiate Set from Anubis today, those early art enthusiasts mistook one for the other, in part due to similar aesthetics. As people integrated deeper cultural understandings, perception shifted, leading to tangible collective clarity. The evolution of these understandings serves as a reminder that with time and communication, even the most intricate misinterpretations can be cleared away.