In Egyptian mythology, the jackal-headed god known as the “Opener of the Ways” was Wepwawet.
Wepwawet was a canine deity whose name means “Opener of the Ways.” He was associated with clearing paths for armies, kings, and the dead. In funerary settings, this could mean opening the route into the next world, making him a natural companion to Anubis.
Wepwawet and Anubis are often confused because both have canine forms and funerary connections. They were not simply two names for the same god. Wepwawet had especially strong associations with warfare, royal processions, and Abydos, while Anubis was more closely identified with embalming, tomb protection, and the care of mummies.
Wepwawet was commonly represented as a standing animal or an animal-headed figure. His standards could appear in religious processions, where the image symbolized divine guidance and the opening of a safe route.