What is the tall staff-like thing that is seen being held by many Egyptian gods and goddesses in ancient drawings?
This link is an example of what I mean. It is being held by Anubis in his left hand...
The staff that Anubis is wielding in that picture is called a was or was-scepter (w3s) . The was is the Egyptian hieroglyph for power. It can be found in many depictions of the gods in Egyptian art, and was common among their pharaohs. The handle was usually in the shape of an animal head and the shaft ended with two prongs.
A flagellum is a type of lash/flail/whip that was used to ward off evil spirits. That much is true. However, what Anubis is carrying in that picture (in his left hand), and many other Egyptian gods, like Set carry, clearly does not resemble a lash but a scepter, and is called a was.
Now, Anubis IS often depicted with a flagellum, but the flagellum he carries is usually held in the crook of his arm.
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