Skip to content

Unexplainable.net

Watching The World Change

  • What Happened to the Mogao Caves? Ancient Civilizations
  • Mystery of Area 51 Simply Unexplainable
  • ‘The Conjuring’ is a Movie that Shines a Light on the Reality of the Devil Religion Articles
  • Chemistry Pres Blames Bond Villain for Nuclear Image Political Conspiracies
  • The Last Wishes of Ancient Personalities Information and Theories
  • Should Genetically Modified Food be Banned? Technology Articles
  • Artificial Human Eye Inserted Into Dogs Eye Socket Other Exciting News
  • Interesting Religious Facts Religion Articles

Cats in Ancient Egyptian Culture: The Sacred Cat Explosion

Posted on May 31, 2009 By jim No Comments on Cats in Ancient Egyptian Culture: The Sacred Cat Explosion

In ancient Egyptian culture, cats came a long way from being wild felines to establishing their status as sacred animals. In this article, we will touch upon some of the associations that cats had in regards to worshipping ancient Egyptian gods and goddesses, such as Bastet.

Cats: Sacred Animals in Egyptian Culture

While other animals had been linked to a specific diety representing the locals, the cat never reached the process of gaining an official starus within the culture. The creature never became a “member of the divine community” according to Jaromir Malek, author of The Cat in Ancient Egypt. However, the cat was able to go beyond any recognition other animals received from worshippers. There is no mistaking the sacredness of the cat in Egyptian culture.

In the Pyramid Texts, the first recorded mention of a feline cat goddess was named Mafdet. She appears in the Texts as one that kills a serpent using her claws. Other cat deities would emerge, but the most significant of them all was Bastet and Sekhmet (with the head of a lion), who became worshipped by others outside of the Egyptian culture.

Also referred to as Bast, Pasch, and Ubasti, Bastet was described as possessing the body of a woman with the head of a domestic cat. She was also linked to the Eye of Ra, and believed to have the power to act in the same manner as the sun god. The Egyptians adore Bastet and made her a household goddess. She soon became the protector of women, children and domestic cats; and served as the goddess of the sunrise, music, dance, pleasure, and of course ,  family, fertility and birth.  

In Egyptian culture, Bastet was opposed by a sort of evil counterpart in the goddess Sekhmet. She represented the cat goddess’ destructive force and took on the position of war and pestilence. However, myths show that Sekhmet eventually becomes tamed, as Ra uses intoxication to get her to become a strong protector of the humans. When joined together, Bastet and Sekhmet create a balance within the forces of nature.

Cats , Everywhere

The sacred animals were seen as an important object and entity within everyday life. Their image emerged in many different facets of life for the Egyptians. Cats were etched in gold on elaborate bracelets. The Egyptians made small pendants shaped like cats out of gold. Soapstone serves as the material of choice for amulets depicting the cat that were used for necklaces and rings. The wooden handles on mirrors used by the women to apply makeup were shaped into the body of the cat. Their cosmetic pots highlighted feline images.

The power that the cat possessed was seen in the belief that anyone could benefit from the protection of the cat goddess. Simply place an amulet on your clothing or wear it in your ears or around your neck, and the Egyptians believed this would grant them protection.

Even in your dreams, the cat meant good luck. For instance, if a farmer saw one in the middle of their slumber, they were sure to enjoy a decent harvest.

Ancient Civilizations

Post navigation

Previous Post: Cats in Ancient Egyptian Culture: Part of the Family
Next Post: Important Egyptian Goddesses: Bastet and Hathor

Related Posts

  • Significant Children of Zeus Part 1 Ancient Civilizations
  • Unexplainable Medical Mysteries: Alexander the Great I Ancient Civilizations
  • Ancient Ties to Aromatherapy: Patchouli & Neroli Ancient Civilizations
  • Betrayals in Ancient Greek Myths: Jason and Medea I Ancient Civilizations
  • Ancient Egyptian Gods and Goddesses 1 Ancient Civilizations
  • Ancient Religious Sites , Pisidian Antioch II Ancient Civilizations

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recent Posts

  • The Meat Eater couple arrested for child abuse
  • The Meat-Eater boxer kidnapped and raped a young school Girl
  • Carnist man arrested for 198 years for raping and shooting a woman
  • Mitch McConnell- Eating Cow Corpses
  • Animal Flesh Eater Arrested: Felony Charges Serious Injury To 3 Month Old!

Recent Comments

No comments to show.

Archives

  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • May 2020
  • June 2018
  • February 2018
  • July 2016
  • May 2016
  • February 2016
  • September 2015
  • July 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015
  • March 2015
  • January 2015
  • December 2014
  • November 2014
  • July 2014
  • March 2014
  • February 2014
  • January 2014
  • December 2013
  • November 2013
  • October 2013
  • September 2013
  • August 2013
  • July 2013
  • June 2013
  • May 2013
  • April 2013
  • March 2013
  • February 2013
  • January 2013
  • December 2012
  • November 2012
  • October 2012
  • September 2012
  • August 2012
  • July 2012
  • June 2012
  • May 2012
  • April 2012
  • March 2012
  • February 2012
  • January 2012
  • December 2011
  • November 2011
  • October 2011
  • September 2011
  • August 2011
  • July 2011
  • June 2011
  • May 2011
  • April 2011
  • March 2011
  • February 2011
  • January 2011
  • December 2010
  • November 2010
  • October 2010
  • September 2010
  • August 2010
  • July 2010
  • June 2010
  • May 2010
  • April 2010
  • March 2010
  • February 2010
  • January 2010
  • December 2009
  • November 2009
  • October 2009
  • September 2009
  • August 2009
  • July 2009
  • June 2009
  • May 2009
  • April 2009
  • March 2009
  • February 2009
  • January 2009
  • December 2008
  • November 2008
  • October 2008
  • September 2008
  • August 2008
  • July 2008
  • June 2008
  • May 2008
  • April 2008
  • March 2008
  • February 2008
  • January 2008
  • December 2007
  • November 2007
  • October 2007
  • September 2007
  • August 2007
  • July 2007
  • June 2007
  • May 2007
  • April 2007
  • March 2007
  • February 2007
  • January 2007
  • December 2006
  • November 2006
  • October 2006
  • September 2006
  • August 2006
  • July 2006
  • June 2006
  • May 2006
  • April 2006
  • March 2006
  • February 2006
  • January 2006
  • December 2005
  • November 2005
  • October 2005
  • September 2005
  • August 2005
  • July 2005
  • June 2005
  • May 2005
  • April 2005
  • March 2005
  • February 2005
  • January 2005
  • December 2004
  • November 2004
  • October 2004
  • September 2004
  • August 2004
  • July 2004
  • June 2004
  • May 2004
  • April 2004
  • March 2004
  • February 2004
  • January 2004
  • December 2003
  • November 2003
  • October 2003

Categories

  • Ancient Civilizations
  • Benjamin Fulford Story
  • Corrupt Carnivores
  • Cryptology and Monsters
  • Eating Healthy
  • Ghost And Demons
  • Information and Theories
  • Mars Coverage
  • Meditation And Spirituality
  • Mysteries
  • NASA Articles
  • Other Exciting News
  • Personal Accounts
  • Pictures And Multimedia
  • Political Conspiracies
  • Recent Submissions
  • Religion Articles
  • Self Improvement
  • Simply Unexplainable
  • Space and Astrology
  • Technology Articles
  • True Stories
  • UFOs and Aliens
  • Unexplainable Video Library
  • Unexplainable Weather
  • Archeology Headlines , April 2011 Ancient Civilizations
  • Top 10 Indicators that One Experiences When Kundalini Awakens Religion Articles
  • Ancient Fertility Goddesses Ancient Civilizations
  • Additional Haunted Places in Oregon Ghost And Demons
  • Russain Astronaut Claims He Saw A UFO In Orbit UFOs and Aliens
  • ‘Ghost Adventures’ A Sampling of Episodes Ghost And Demons
  • Summary of Book of First Samuel Part I Religion Articles
  • The Missing Link Has Been Found Information and Theories

Copyright © 2023 Unexplainable.net.

Powered by PressBook News Dark theme