Why did Egypt love cats so much?

Ancient Egyptians’ love of cats developed from an appreciation of their rodent-catching skills to revering them as sacred creatures. Cats likely became so entwined with Egyptian life for practical reasons: Agriculture attracted rodents, which attracted wild cats.

What did Egyptians think about animals?

They thought animals were the embodiment of particular gods. Most Ancient Egyptian towns chose a particular god to worship. This meant the animal attached to that god was sacred. These animals were given both power and respect.

How did cats become pets?

The two main theories surrounding the domestication of cats are that either the original wildcats (Felis sylvestris lybica) were deliberately tamed and selected for friendliness, or that rather than being specifically selected they were more ‘tolerated’ by humans and gradually diverged from their ‘wild’ relatives …

Do ancient Egyptians worship cats?

But Egyptians did not worship felines. Rather, they believed these ‘feline’ deities shared certain character traits with the animals. Bastet is probably the best-known feline goddess from Egypt. Initially depicted as a lioness, Bastet assumed the image of a cat or a feline-headed woman in the 2nd millennium BCE.

Why were cats worshipped in ancient Egypt?

Ancient Egyptians worshipped many animals for thousands of years. Animals were revered for different reasons. Dogs were valued for their ability to protect and hunt, but cats were thought to be the most special. Egyptians believed cats were magical creatures, capable of bringing good luck to the people who housed them.

Why do Egyptians feed cats jewelry?

Egyptians believed cats were magical creatures, capable of bringing good luck to the people who housed them. To honor these treasured pets, wealthy families dressed them in jewels and fed them treats fit for royalty.

Who is the Egyptian cat god Bastet?

For instance, the goddess Mafdet, who resembled a cheetah, was one of Egypt’s earliest deities. She was worshipped by those who sought protection from venomous creatures, such as snakes, and also because she represented justice. However, Bastet was the most famous among all cat goddesses.

Why was the Egyptian goddess Mafdet worshipped?

For instance, the goddess Mafdet, who resembled a cheetah, was one of Egypt’s earliest deities. She was worshipped by those who sought protection from venomous creatures, such as snakes, and also because she represented justice.