Why did they worship cats in Egypt?
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. When the cats died, they were mummified.
Why did Egyptians stop worship cats?
Why did the Egyptians stop worshipping the kitties? In the following centuries since the fall of Third Dynasty, even the common people started keeping domistacted cats and worshipping them. Hurting a cat was a punishable offence.
What did cats do to hurt Egyptian gods?
Ancient Egyptians worshiped the cat, literally. The goddess Bastet was the goddess of cats. And as such, she guarded against evil forces and illness, and was the most popular deity in Egyptian mythology. This angered the local Egyptians so much that they gathered into a mob and killed the soldier.
Were Black Cats Worshipped in Egypt?
In the ancient world, Egyptians worshiped a cat goddess named Bast, or Bastet. As both the goddess of protection and cats, she was often depicted as a black cat. Some families even kept black cats in their home hoping to be favored by her. Celtic mythology describes a fairy in black-cat form known as the Cat Sith.
Why are cats considered guardians of the underworld?
The most widespread belief was that domestic cats carried the divine essence of Bastet (or Bast), the cat-headed goddess who represented fertility, domesticity, music, dance and pleasure. For that reason, cats were to be protected and venerated.
What did cats represent?
Cat meaning and symbolism includes elegance, curiosity, independence, protection, magic, and other notable qualities. For thousands of years, people have been captivated by cats. Even before wild cats became domesticated, ancient cultures believed in the cat spirit animal.
Are cats considered evil in Egypt?
In Ancient Egypt black cats were known for keeping evil spirits away. A person caught killing a cat could face the death penalty. Bastet was portrayed as a nurturing mother and a terrifying avenger. In the Book of the Dead, it is written that “slaughterers of Bastet” will inflict plague and other disasters on humanity.
What cats were worshiped in Egypt?
From the 22nd Dynasty at around the mid 950s BC onwards, the deity Bastet and her temple in the city of Bubastis grew in popularity. She is now shown only with a small cat head. Domestic cats (Felis catus) were increasingly worshiped and considered sacred.