Avatars of the Gods: The Animals of Ancient Egypt Avatars of the Gods: The Animals of Ancient Egypt Updated: November 26, 2012 Animals have always been around in Egypt, however whilst some will be familiar to modern Egyptian people, other species have become extinct or moved further south, deeper into Africa. Both domesticated, such as cattle, cats and dogs, and wild animals, such as lions and hyenas, abounded in ancient Egyptian times. Animals were worshipped, feared and loved. This relationship even carried on in the underworld after death, as certain animals were mummified, including family pets as well as certain species sacred to the gods . Mummified remains, animal-related hieroglyphs, and detailed paintings, reliefs and sculptures of the animals of ancient Egypt clearly show the animals that were not only well known, but also very important, to the peoples of Egypt ever since predynastic times. Since the domestication of animals in the Neolithic Period, the ancient Egyptians' relationship to animals has taken several forms. The most significant domesticates were cattle. Their energy was harnessed, they were used to work the land, as food, and a source of raw materials.

Some animals, such as gazelles and birds were less useful, but had a more intimate relationship with their owners and were kept as pets. Animals also had a cultic function: they were worshipped as manifestations of gods. -- Salima Ikram & Mamdouh Eldamaty (2006), Bloved Beasts: Animal Mummies from Ancient Egypt, p. 5 Birds Along the Nile, some of the multitude of bird-life included the falcon, kite, goose, crane, heron, plover, pigeon, ibis, vulture and owl. It is possible that chickens were introduced during the New Kingdom from Africa. Sacred to Horus, the falcon (or hawk) was thought to be the guardian of the ruler, and is frequently found as spreading its wings protectively behind the head of the pharaoh. At Saqqara during the Late Period, there was a catacomb build for mummified falcons. These birds, though, were shown to be of different types of birds of prey, not just the falcon. To the Egyptians, the Horus-falcon may have been regarded as interchangeable with a whole range of different birds of prey.

The ibis, sacred birth of Thoth , was relatively common throughout Egypt until the 19th Century, but now has almost disappeared. Sacred ibises were mummified during the Late Period and Ptolemaic times, and buried in large numbers in different catacombs through Egypt. There were three types of ibis in Egypt - the sacred ibis, the hermit ibis and the glossy ibis. The hermit ibis is not a waterside bird, so it is depicted less frequently than the other two birds that were common along the banks of the Nile. The vulture was the manifestation of Nekhbet and Mut , who were depicted as the bird with their wings outstretched on the ceilings of temples as protection, or sitting on the ground in a symbol associated with kingship. The two main types of vulture depicted were the griffon vulture and the so-called Egyptian vulture. It was the griffon vulture that was usually related to the goddesses and to royalty. Fish In Ancient Egypt, the fish had both sacred and scorned species. Some were sacred in some places and not allowed to be eaten, whereas in other places, anyone could eat the fish.

Some of the fish in Egypt included the carp, perch and catfish. The goddess Hatmehit from the Delta city of Per-banebdjedet (Mendes), was known as the 'Chief of Fish', and was worshipped in the form of a fish, or as a woman with a fish emblem on her head. Both the Rilapia or Chromis and the Abdju fish were thought to act as pilots for Ra on his solar barque as it travelled, warning of the approach of the enemy of Ra, the water snake Apep , as they travelled through the underworld. The poor ate fish more often than meat, because of the availability of the fish. Richer people kept fish in ornamental ponds or as a source of food. The pharaoh, priests and the Akhu could not eat fish, because of the association with Set : Supposedly, it was the Nile carp, the Oxyrynchus or the Phagrus fish that ate the phallus of Osiris , when he was chopped into pieces by Set .

Despite this, the Oxyrynchus was thought to be sacred in the Faiyum area, where the people thought that this fish appeared out of the wounds of the god of the dead! Cattle The Ancient Egyptians domesticated many different types of animals - sheep, cattle, goats, pigs, geese and later horses. Mostly they used the animals to supply milk, wool, meat, eggs, leather, skins, horns, fat, and manual labour. The cow was sacred to many goddesses, including Hathor , Bat, Isis and Nut . Bulls were sacred to Ra as they had a strong connection with solar imagery to the ancient Egyptians. Cattle were branded with red-hot irons by the great estates belonging to the pharaohs, the rich owners and the different temples. The cattle in Egypt were, in the Predynastic Period , a long horned variety of cattle, but a thinner short-horned variety became the norm during the Old Kingdom onwards. The cattle were used for sacrificial purposes as well as being draft animals. Herdsman tended to the cattle, and grazed them in the Nile valley during the winter months, but they generally moved the cattle to the Delta during the hotter, summer months.

The cattle seemed to often be called names relating to the goddess Hathor - "Golden One", "Shining One" and "Beautiful" are some examples. The song of a herdsman who has travelled over much of Egypt is preserved in a tomb at El Bersheh, 'You have driven oxen along every road. You have trodden the sands, and now your feet tread grass. You are eating tufted plants, and now you are well satisfied, and here is goodness to nourish you.' -- Pierre Montet (1974), Everyday Life in Egypt in the Days of Ramesses The Great, p. 124 There were special farms for the fattening of oxen for slaughter. The long horned breed of oxen were fattened then adorned with ostrich feathers and displayed in processions with their owners before ritual sacrifice to the gods. Under Ramses III 16,000 cattle were sacrificed per year, just to the god Amen! Although cattle were raised, beef was a luxury item because much of the meat of the cattle was used for religious ceremonies and offerings. Pork, on the other hand, was eaten regularly but was not used in the Egyptian religion.

Goat meat, too, was eaten throughout Egypt, and even by upper class Egyptians. The skin of the goat was used as water containers and floating devices. The Egyptian farmers, in their early experimental phase, also tried to domesticate other animals such as hyenas, gazelles and cranes, but abandoned these attempts after the Old Kingdom. The general height of the Egyptian horse was 1.35m tall, though some were as tall as 1.5m, the skeleton of one such tall horse was found in the tomb of Senmut, a favourite courtier of Hatshepsut (1473-1458 BC). Pets The ancient Egyptians had numerous different types of pets - monkeys, ducks, geese, pigeons, hoopoes, falcons, cats, dogs and even ferrets (to keep the granaries free of vermin). Cats seem to have been domesticated during the Middle Kingdom from the wild cats in the Delta or the Western Desert. There were two main species indigenous to Egypt - the jungle cat and the African wild cat. Cats were both pets and symbols of cat deities, such as Bast .

The earliest evidence of cats kept as pets was in a Predynatic tomb at Mostagedda. The Egyptian word for 'cat' was the sound that the cats made - myw - meow! Often, the cat accompanied the master to help with the hunting and fowling in the marshes. It was during the Late Period that sacred cats were mummified in large numbers, and placed in underground galleries such as at Per-Bast (Bubastis). The cat was also a personification of Ra, where the sun god, as a cat, battles the water serpent Apep . Dogs, while often depicted as hunting with the master or as watch dogs, but they were never shown as an animal to be petted. Known to the Egyptians as the sound-word iw , the sound for barking, or as thsm , meaning 'hound', they were given individual names and were often buried with their masters. Some of their names were "Brave One", "Reliable" and "Good Herdsman" as well as naming them for their colour, just as some people do today.

The types of dogs the Egyptians had were related to the basenji, the saluki, the greyhound and maybe even the mastiff and dachshunds. Unlike the cat, which was aloof and mysterious, the Egyptians thought of the dog as being subservient, and the dog was used as an insult - prisoners were sometimes known as "the pharaoh's dogs". But the dog, and the wolf or jackal, were regarded as sacred to Anubis , where they were buried as sacred animals to the god of embalming at the catacombs at Anubieion. The Nile goose had often the run of the house and the garden in spite of its vile temper. The goose was the sacred animal of Geb , who was also known as 'The Great Cackler' when he was in goose form. There were sacred lakes around Egypt that were home to the sacred geese, where they were well looked after. There were even some wild beasts that were used as pets - Ramses II had a tame lion, and the Sudanese cheetahs sometimes took the place of the house cat!

Wildlife As for the animals out in the wild, the Egyptians knew of lions, cheetahs, wolves, antelope, wild bulls, hyenas, jackals, wolves, snakes, the mongoose and desert hares. The Nile was filled with crocodiles, hippos, turtles, frogs as well as the numerous fish and water birds. Bees, scarab beetles, locusts, flies, centipedes and scorpions were some of the insects that lived in ancient times. Some wild animals, specifically the lion, the wild cattle and the cobra, came to represent royalty. The power and danger seen in the lion and the wild bull became synonymous with the pharaoh. Even from Predynastic times, images of the bull trampling the enemies of the king represented the pharaoh's triumph over his enemies. The bull implied strength and power. The pharaoh's mother was linked to the cow-goddess Hathor , and the pharaoh sometimes too the name 'Bull of his Mother'. The lion, too, was a symbol of the pharaoh's power and rulership.

As the lions lived in the eastern and western deserts around the Nile, the lion also came to symbolise the rising and the setting sun and its journey through the heavens and the underworld. The lion, though, was hunted by the pharaoh in a show of courage. The cobra, being the dangerous snake of Lower Egypt, came to symbolise Lower Egypt itself. Though a female symbol, the cobra came to mean protection over the ruler. The Egyptians kept bees for their honey and wax. They were kept in woven wicker hives that had been covered in clay. The main centre of bee keeping was Lower Egypt, where one of the symbols for that part of the country was the bee itself. Not only was the honey used for food and as offerings to the gods, but it was also used by the Egyptians to create makeup and medicine! (Honey has an antibacterial effect.) The wax was used for boat building, mummification and as a binding agent in some paints. The Egyptians didn't only keep domesticated bees - they also went out and hunted for the honey of wild bees. All of these animals played a large part in the lives of the Egyptians, and many were deified or seen as the avatar of the god or goddess on earth .

Reviled or loved, the animals each had their place in Ancient Egypt. Further Information about the Animals of Ancient Egypt Ancient Egyptian Animals Ancient Egypt For Kids Ancient Egyptian Animals The role of an animal in the modern age is primarily that of companionship or food. Older cultures, however, did not always behold animals in such a manner. In fact, cultures like that of ancient Egypt used some animals for survival purposes, and associated others with gods and goddesses, using them for sacrificial purposes. Certain animals were deified, according to their beliefs. Farm Animals Sheep, goats, cattle, pigs and geese supplied milk, wool, eggs, meat, leather, skins, horns and fat. Some species had associations with certain gods and attributes too. Cattle were an indispensable staple of agriculture in ancient Egypt. The cow was associated with female fertility and the following gods: Hathor , Isis , Nut , Mehet-Weret and Bat. The bull, on the other hand, was associated with power, masculinity, fertility and regeneration and the gods Ptah and Osiris. Consequently, the Egyptians often raised and slaughtered cows and bulls in the name of sacrificial offerings to the gods and goddesses. Pigs were associated with Set, the God of Chaos.

Ancient Egyptians viewed pigs as the source of chaos, sacrifice and light. They weren’t used in religious ceremonies like cattle were. Rather, there were primarily used for fat and oil in cooking. Of the sheep and goat families, the ram received special recognition from the ancient Egyptians. This animal was associated with the gods Banebdjedet and Khnum, and the attributes of fertility, strength and birth. The goose was associated with Geb, Isis and Amon, and its attribute was strength. Eggs were the primary use for geese. Donkeys were present in processions, hunting and to pull their chariots. Horses were a rarity and a status symbol because they were much more expensive than donkeys. Wild Animals Several types of wild animals had religious associations and were used for various ceremonial purposes. Antelopes were associated with Sokar and carried his royal and overseer attributes. Antelope heads graced the prow of ceremonial boats that stood in temple sanctuaries; this decorative arrangement was considered sacred. The baboon was associated with Thoth, Khonsu and Hapy, gods that possessed the qualities of eloquence, strength, fairness and responsibility.

Thoth was the god who was responsible for the lunar-based calendar and was often depicted with the head of a baboon in ancient Egyptian pictographs. All snakes in general were associated with justice, fertility, protection and royalty and were symbols of resurrection. However, the cobra in particular was associated with the god, Wadjet. Additionally, a giant snake named Methen guarded the sacred boat of Re as he sailed through the underworld and was a cobra, endearing the species to the Egyptians even more. Crocodiles were associated with Amnut, Sobek and Taweret, the gods of justice, power and respect. Amnut was a demon that had the head of a crocodile and ate sinners’ hearts for punishment of their sins. Sobek was depicted as a human that had the head of crocodile, and temples of Sobek were set throughout ancient Egypt and features sacred lakes were crocodiles were fed and cared for. Frogs were abundant in ancient Egypt.

Because there were so many of them, the Egyptians associated them were fertility, resurrection and childbirth and the gods, Heget and the gods of the Ogdoad: Nun, god of water; Amen, god of invisibility; Heh, god of infinity; and Kek god of darkness. Lions were associated with many gods and attributes, symbolizing strength, leadership, royalty, ferocity, war, healing and beauty. The earth god Aker was depicted as a double sphinx and was believed to guard the sun as it came and went from the underworld. The monkey was revered as one of the most important animal forms into which the gods could transform, and they symbolized rebirth and renewal. As such, they were extremely important from a religious standpoint. The scarab beetle was special, because it pushed its dung behind it in a ball, and then young scarabs were born out of the dung. This animal symbolized new life and creation to the ancient Egyptians. Birds Many species of birds were special to the ancient Egyptians and found their way into pictograph depictions, statues and other personifications. Falcons and hawks were associated with Horus , Montu and Socar, the gods of royalty, protection and strength.

Because of this, these gods were oftentimes depicted with the head of a falcon, and the pharaoh often had a falcon with outstretched wings hovering above his head on his throne. The ibis was a particularly special bird in ancient Egypt, so much so that it was even mummified and buried in tombs and catacombs like cats. This animal was associated with the gods Thoth, Tehuty and Djehuty, and personified knowledge and the soul. This bird was associated with the gods who created magic, writing, were teachers of men and had the power of language. Vultures were figures of protection, associated with Nekhbet and Mut, the gods of eternity, monarchy and leadership. Depictions of vultures were often found on temple ceilings as a symbol of eternity in the vulture’s outstretched talons, offering eternal protection to the pharaoh. The ostrich personified order and the goddess Ma’at: she was depicted as a woman wearing an ostrich feather on her headdress, which is why many Egyptian women wore similar items.

Fish Fish were sacred to the ancient Egyptians because they were believed to swim alongside Ra’s barge as it sailed through the underworld, serving as lookouts for Ra’s enemy, Apep, the water snake. Rilapia and Abju fish were the most special. Pharaohs and priests were not allowed to eat fish since fish were said to have consumed part of Osiris when Set chopped him into pieces and scattered those pieces across the world. In fact, fish were often viewed as only fit for consumption by the poorest and lowest people. © Ashley Van Haeften - Fish Figurine Cats Of course, no history of animals in ancient Egypt would be complete without the mention of cats. The cat was an animal that was particularly esteemed among the ancient Egyptians. © Doug - Bastet - Cat Sculpture Not only were cats domestic companions, but there were also symbols of the goddess Bastet, and the god Ra . Egyptians believed that cats held some of the most divine powers. Because cats were seen as so tender and protective of their offspring, pregnant women would wear amulets of Bastet with kittens.

Because cats symbolized Bastet, one of the most important goddesses in ancient Egyptian religion, cats were given the rights of mummification, extending them the same respect after death that they were given in everyday life. They were extremely protected and were so revered that even accidentally killing one would incur the death penalty. In the event of a fire, Egyptian men would even go so far as to guard the fire to make sure that no cats ran into the flames. © SpeckledOwl - Cat Mummies The Worship of Cats Bastet was known as the Eye of Ra and represented fertility, motherhood, protection and aspects of the sun. The worship of cats became popular when Bubastis was erected to be the center of worship for the goddess Bastet. Thousands of Egyptians would journey to Bubastis every year to pay homage to Bastet, who was personified by the cat. As such, when cats died, they were wrapped in fine linen and transported to Bubastis where they would be mummified and buried in the sacred cemetery. Dogs Although dogs were not domesticated in ancient Egypt the way they are today, they had their place in Egyptian culture.

They were mostly used for hunting purposes, and were considered much lower than the cat. Whereas cats exhibited mystery and aloofness, the utter loyalty of the dog set it lower in the eyes of the Egyptians, and being called a dog was one of the worst insults imaginable. Still, the dog was sacred to the god Anubis , the god of embalming and mummified. Therefore, dogs were mummified in much the same fashion as other sacred animals. © Ashley Van Haeften - Dog Figurine Veterinary Medicine Veterinary medicine dates back to ancient Egyptian times. Because the Egyptians held so many types of animals in spiritual esteem, they took precautions to care for them, serving as “horse-doctors” to prevent animal diseases. Egyptians had knowledge of anatomy and dissection for both human and animal mummification. They were also able to diagnose and treat a variety of animal illnesses. Animal care flourished in Egypt where medical diviners tended to sacred animals, fattening them for slaughter for human consumption and sacrifices to the gods. Facts about animals in Ancient Egypt Although many of the animals in Egypt were associated with certain gods, goddesses and characteristics, many of them were also used for practical purposes.

The main animals found as pets in ancient Egypt were cats, monkeys and falcons. Some pharaohs even had lions and cheetahs as pets. Regardless of whether the animal was viewed as a sacred one or not, the Egyptians respected animals and their importance to their survival. The Animal Cults of Ancient Egypt Contact Us About us Tour Egypt aims to offer the ultimate Egyptian adventure and intimate knowledge about the country. We offer this unique experience in two ways, the first one is by organizing a tour and coming to Egypt for a visit, whether alone or in a group, and living it firsthand. The second way to experience Egypt is from the comfort of your own home: online. The Animal Cults of Ancient Egypt The Animal Cults of Ancient Egypt by Jimmy Dunn writing as Jefferson Monet During the classical age, there was no other aspect of Egyptian religion that elicited more derision from writers than the aspect of Egyptian animal worship. Among the various cults established by the ancient Egyptians, it seems to many even today to be one of the most strange and mysterious.

There is evidence of animal cults that dates back to at least the fourth millennium BC in Egypt, including predynastic ritual burials of animals such as gazelles, dogs, cattle, monkey and rams at sights such as Badari, Naqada , Maadi and Heliopolis . Erik Hornung notes that "the care with which these animals were buried and provided with grave goods is evidence for a cult of sacred animals". There is really no evidence of very early animal cults during Egypt's neolithic period, but by the last centuries of prehistory, there can be scarcely any doubt that the Egyptians worshipped divine powers in animal form. While the earliest evidence of the cult surrounding the Apis bull dates to the reign of King Aha of the 1st Dynasty , various animal cults received considerable emphasis beginning with the twenty-sixth dynasty, perhaps as a part of a resurgence of Egyptian nationalism. In reality, animals were rarely if ever worshipped as gods in ancient Egypt, but were instead thought of as manifestations of the gods. Like cult statues, they were actually one vehicle through which the gods could make their will manifest, and through which the faithful could demonstrate their devotion to the gods.

Therefore, individual animals were cot considered gods, but the god could take up his abode in them and they become become an image of the god and a vessel for him. In fact, the keeping of sacred animals seems a very logical extension of early many cult statues. Horus , for example, was frequently depicted in statuary and on temple walls in his manifestation as a fully formed falcon, so it is understandable that the ancient Egyptians might also venerate the living, breathing animal. We may categorize three different types of sacred animals that were honored by the ancient Egyptians. The temple animals, one type, functioned very similarly to the cult statues in temples. These animals lived in or near a temple and were distinguished by special markings. The Apis bull of Memphis , for example, had to be a black bull with a white triangle on its forehead, a crescent moon on its chest and another on its flanks, as well as having black and white in its tail. It was though to be the ka manifestation of Ptah , and like cult statues, these animals could visit other deities in their temples as well as give oracles .

At certain times of the day, the bull would be released into a courtyard where worshippers would gather to see him and receive oracles. Oracles were questions that had either a yes or no answer, and this answer was received when the bull entered into one of two stables. Upon the death of the Apis bull, it was elaborately embalmed and there was a time of general mourning. It was then buried in an enormous stone sarcophagus in the Serapeum at Saqqara , after which a search would be made for its replacement. There were a number of other bulls that were worshipped in this manner, including the Mnevis bull at Heliopolis , which was the manifestation of Atum - Re and the Buchis bull at Hermonthis, which represented Montu and was particularly important during the reign of Nectanebo II . Other animals included the ram of Mendes , which was considered the manifestation of Osiris - Re , and the ram of Elephantine which was associated with Khnum . A second class of sacred animals were those kept in large numbers near a temple.

In animal cults, we encounter the ability of Egyptian gods to extend their existence almost endlessly so that they could be manifest not just in one ibis or crocodile, but in all ibises or all crocodiles. At Saqqara , for example, there was an extensive complex of buildings dedicated to the priestly care of large flocks of ibises, considered to be the manifestation of Thoth , and of falcons, who represented Horus . These flocks provided the enormous number of animal burials found in Egypt, which included literally millions of mummified animals in necropolises throughout the country. Besides the ibis necropolis at Saqqara, there are necropolises for cats at Bubastis , rams at Elephantine , crocodiles, snakes, falcons and ibises at Kom Ombo and ibises and falcons at Abydos . The burial of sacred animals were frequently paid for by pilgrims during visits to the temples at festivals or when seeking divine blessings, and this must have created a considerable priestly industry for animal mummification.

The mummified animal corpse served as a votive offering for the god, and the devotee obviously expected to earn the goodwill of the deity by providing for the burial of one of its sacred animals. For example, one inscription preserved on a jar containing an ibis mummy is a prayer asking Thoth to be benevolent toward the woman who had embalmed his sacred animal. One wonders whether these animals were kept for this specific reason, and to profit the temple, for while only one temple animal was kept at any one time, which received a cult, this second class of sacred animal was kept in large numbers and really received no cult. Obviously the burial of the temple animals was also much more elaborate. A third type of sacred animal were those kept in private homes as representative of the gods. They included snakes, cats, dogs and other animals, which were kept in cages and buried upon their death. This practice is analogous to the construction of household shrines to allow for domestic worship. However, one must wonder how E gyptologists distinguish between animals kept in private homes for spiritual reasons, and those that were simply kept as pets.

See also: Ancient Egyptians: animal worship to the extreme Ancient Egyptians: animal worship to the extreme If you thought your neighbor worships their pet too much, have a read about ancient Egyptians. Ancient Egyptians did not adore animals as simply pets. Certain animals were considered gods. The Egyptian was taught to pay a religious regard to animals. In one place goats, in another sheep, in a third hippopotami, in a fourth crocodiles, in a fifth vultures, in a sixth frogs, in a seventh shrew-mice. They were sacred creatures, to be treated with respect and honour, and under no circumstances to be slain, under the penalty of death to the slayer. Besides this local animal-cult, there was a cult which was general. Cows, cats, dogs, ibises, hawks, and cynocephalous apes, were sacred throughout the whole of Egypt, and woe to the man who injured them! A Roman who accidentally caused the death of a cat was immediately "lynched" by the populace. Inhabitants of neighbouring villages would attack each other with the extreme anger if the native of one had killed or eaten an animal held sacred in the other.

In any house where a cat or a dog died, the inmates were expected to mourn for them as for a relative. Both these and the other sacred animals were carefully embalmed after death, and their bodies were interred in sacred repositories. Now consider some lucky bulls, known as Hapi of Apis, who lived in Memphis around 1650 B.C. This type of bull was believed to be the actual incarnation of the god Phthah. The Apis bull dwelt in a temple of his own, near the city. He had his train of attendant priests, a group of cow-wives, his meals of the most exquisite food, his grooms who kept his coat clean and beautiful, his chamberlains who made his bed, his cup-bearers who brought him water. And on scheduled days, he was led in a festive procession through the main streets of the town, so that the inhabitants might see him, and come out of their dwellings to revere him. When he died he was carefully embalmed, and deposited, together with magnificent jewels and statuettes and vases. He was placed in a polished granite sarcophagus, cut out of a single block, and weighing between sixty and seventy tons.

Actually, looking back at this article, do we regard our animals that much differently? Written by MJ IntelliChristian | Last Modified on: 0000-00-00 00:00:00 | Hits: 6111 Sources: 10 Most Sacred Worshipped Animals - List Dose 10 Most Sacred Worshipped Animals Article by surbhi jalan , January 19, 2015 Animal worship, also known as Zoolatry, is a religious ritual where animals are considered as deities. It forms a part of many ancient religions like cow is worshiped in Hinduism as well as ancient Persia. It is believed that these animals represent deities and have divine characteristics. Animal worship is a very important part of the ancient Egypt religion. It is partially based on the fact that animals have qualities that humans do not possess at all or in lesser measure, such as power or speed, and which stir fear. In different parts of the world, animals are worshiped for different reasons. Here are top ten most commonly worshiped animals across the world: 10. Pig In ancient Egypt pigs were considered as sacred to the god.

Their god appears as a pig with erect bristles and who watched for storms, darkness, deserts and chaos. Even pigs were sacrificed in the name of the God. Greeks also practice the ritual of sacrificing pigs to their goddess Demeter. The goddess represented grain, fertility, purity and also cherishing youth, preserving marriages and greenery. According to Chinese zodiac pigs are one of the twelve auspicious animals. The Celts also worshiped a ‘god of swine’ named Moccus, after the prayer ceremony cooked pork was served as one of the rituals. 9. Snake In Karnataka, India Serpent deities are worshiped. The worship of snakes is present in several old cultures and traditions. Especially in the Hindu culture Lord Shiva wears a Nag “Indian Cobra” around his neck as an ornament. Cobra’s is the most sacred among the entire snake in India. There is a special festival of snakes called Nag Panchami, where all worship snakes and their deities. It is a festival celebrated all over the India, peoples offer prayer, Milk and worship the snake. Not only in India, even in other parts of the Old World such as America serpents are worshiped. In south India live snakes are worshiped.

The Egyptians worship a number of snake gods and in some of the Native American tribes snake is the god who give fair winds and cause thunderstorm. 8. Tiger According to Chinese myth and culture tigers are among one of the 12 zodiac animals. The Chinese art and martial art consider tiger as an earth symbol. For eastern Asia culture tiger is a symbol of royalty, fearlessness and anger. In china there is a suburbs named Kunming which is a major tourist attraction for tiger worship. Here the worship of tiger is a tourist attraction. In Hinduism tiger is associated with the Hindu god Shiva and Durga. In Nepal, a tiger festival is celebrated called as Bagh Jatra. In many parts of Vietnam, there is a tiger temple in every village. Tigers are always admired for their strength, ferocity and royalty. One can easily see tiger statutes at the entrance of temples and palaces. It is believed that they keep evil spirits away from entering those places. 7. Cattle In Hinduism cattle’s are considered to be holy, even Zoroastrianism, ancient Egyptian and Greek also consider them to be auspicious.

Majorly Cow and buffalo are worshipped by people and the slaughter of an ox is seen as an offering to god. In south India, a Toda ritual is performed where in a year a bull calf is sacrificed and later eaten by the adult males. The Egyptian distinguishes bull by some redetermined traits. They celebrate their birthday every year and are mummified after their death and obscured in a tomb. Similar rituals are followed in Nile. In India cows are respected the most among all the animals and its products are magic for Indians. Cow is a symbol of wealth and drinking of cow urine is considered to bring good fortune and prosperity. 6. Elephant In Thailand people believe that a white elephant contain the soul of a dead person. In India, Lord Ganesha has the head of an elephant. During the festival called Alunam, the unmarried women worship elephants by dancing and singing songs. In certain cultures elephant figurines are used to display the importance. In Sumatran culture elephant statues were built as “seats of the souls”. The Culture of North Borneo holds a different significance at all. Wooden elephant figurines were placed at the top of bamboo pole once the tribe chief had collected a particular number of human heads.

It is regarded as a symbol of honor. The elephant holds a special place in Hindu culture and tradition. There are temples in south India that train elephants for temple worship. No tourist to India should miss this sight of elephants worshiping at temples. In India elephants are a part of Hindu ethos and culture. During ancient times it was used as an instrument of war. 5. Monkey According to Chinese zodiac calendar monkeys are the ninth in the twelve-year cycle of animals. As per their belief next time the monkey will appear as a zodiac sign will be in year 2016. In Hinduism the monkey is seen as Hanuman. Hanuman is a prominent god figure. Even monkeys are worshiped in Togo and in French West Africa. The Buddhist believes that the monkey is an incarnation of Buddha. But some also believe that they are dishonest and ugly. The Chinese Buddhist uses a metaphor called “mind monkey” which means disturbed, impatient state of human mind. In some culture monkey is also seen as a Senseless Creature symbolizing greed. But in Japan monkeys are seen as teaching proverbial principle to “see, hear and speak no evil”. 4. Wolf The wolf holds a significant position in foundational mythologies of Eurasia and North America.

The attribute of the wolf of a killer, dangerous, destructive makes it a warrior whereas on other hand these are traits of a devil. Among nomadic wolf holds great importance in their religions. In many cultures, wolves are identified with warrior. The Tlingit community god name means “wolf,” and they worship a wolf-head. The shamanic Turkic believes they are descendants of wolves. Both Zeus and Apollo are also associated with the wolf but there is little clarity about it. The most obvious example in western culture is the Rome’s foundation, and the use of wolves in imagery. 3. Dog In Nepal and parts of India dogs carry a religious significance. Dogs are worshipped in a five day festival known as Toyhar festival. In Hinduism, dog is considered as a messenger to the god of demise. It is also believed that they are guard to the doors of Heaven. In Nepal 14th day in November is celebrated as Kukur toyhar, meaning dog’s day. On this day dogs are worshipped with holy dot, incense sticks and garland. The Nosarii tribe of western Asia also worships dogs. The Karang of Java believes that dogs are reflection of wood.

They worship dogs after the loss of a family member and burn that after thousand days. 2. Goat During ancient times in Syria, goats were covered with silver necklaces and left open out in the city on the king’s wedding. It is believed that they carry evils with them. Certain communities like Silenus and the Fauns had part of their bodies shaped like goat. In northern Europe a community Leszi, have goat’s horns, ears and legs. In Africa people have goat as their primary divinity. Even in Greece and Egypt goats are worshiped in goat and phallic form. According to Chinese Zodiac sign, people with goat sign are shy, aloof, introvert and creative. 1. Horse Horse worship is mostly practiced by Turkish and Indo-European people. It is also believed that Poseidon, a water god, was formerly conceived in the appearance of a horse. The horse and the mule are holy to the Roman god. In Hinduism and Buddhism, a horse headed god named Hayagriva is worshipped. Gonds tribe in India also worships a horse, which is in the shape of a stone. Horses are also commonly worshipped in Europe.

In Balkan culture, a bachelor person is wrapped with a horse to transfer the sexual power of horse to the individual. Related posts: Animal or God: The Cults of Ancient Egypt – Nat Geo TV Blogs More » Photograph by NGT / Abigail Rodriguez Santeria altar set up in a sacred room in the house of Santeria high priest Ernesto Pichardo. Offerings of fruit, cake, candy, and recently sacrificed chickens are laid out for the gods. Throughout history animals have played a significant role in religious rituals. From sacrificial offerings to manifestations of gods, the roots of animal worship are complex. One of the most well documented cases of humans worshiping animals takes place in Ancient Egypt. Sculptures and drawings dating as far back as the fourth millennium BC provide clues to the relationship between Egyptians and their fellow creatures There were several animal cults throughout Egyptian history . The most widely recognized are those of bulls and cats. Followers of these cults believed certain gods or goddesses took the shape of a particular animal in order to show themselves to followers. The specific markings on the fur helped some priests determine if an animal was a manifestation of a god.

For example a black bull with a crescent moon on its chest was said to be Ptah, the chief god of the city of Memphis. Gods and goddesses did not always adhere to an individual animal, at times they were thought to have manifested themselves as a group of animals. As a result herds and flocks of scared animals were kept outside of the cult temples of the deity they represented. When archaeologists excavated Saqqara, the remains of millions of ibises were discovered. The Egyptians believed these birds represented Thoth, the god of wisdom and scribes. Though the animals worshiped throughout the animal cults of Egypt varied, many of the rituals surrounding them were similar. During the Twenty Sixth Dynasty animal cults began mummifying the sacred animals on behalf of their gods. Throughout Egypt archeologists have uncovered millions of mummified animals ranging from crocodiles to monkeys buried in the cemeteries of cult temples. In the temple of goddess Bastet alone, over 300,000 mummified cats and kittens were revealed. There is sizable information on Ancient Egypt that has helped shed light on the relationship between humans and animals. However, the role of animals in the household is still unclear and often debated.

Mummified animals such as cats and monkeys have been found in the tombs of what is perceived to be their owners. This discovery led to speculation that Egyptians owned pets, yet zoologists debate the time frame of when this transition took place. Even so, it is believed that perhaps Egyptians kept an individual animal at home for private worship. Today mummification and/or sacrifice are not routinely practiced. They are even looked down upon and illegal in certain places. Yet for the Ancient Egyptians these rituals were a way of life that brought them closer to their gods and in a way created a spiritual connect between them and the animals. For more on relationships between animals and people, tune in to Animal Underworld: Beast Worship, as part of a three-part event Keywords Why Ancient Egypt Worshipped Cats - Petcentric by Purina Why Ancient Egypt Worshipped Cats By Petcentric Why Ancient Egypt Worshipped Cats By Petcentric Article Besides being great companions, cats may have actually saved civilization from starvation and disease. Imagine living in a time and place where every home was teeming with tiny, dangerous beasts.

Some new threat lurked at every corner: asps hiding in clay jars, rats spoiling massive amounts of stored grain, venomous scorpions creeping under cradles. In this time and place-- Ancient Egypt-- one creature existed that could make the world safe from these little monsters: the cat. The same graceful creatures that now sleep on our pillows were life-saving companions to the people of ancient Egypt. It's no wonder that generations of Egyptians were drawn to worship them. One of the earliest deities of ancient Egypt was the goddess Mafdet , who was highly revered by people seeking protection against venomous animals like snakes and scorpions. She was shown with a variety of fierce, feline forms, most often as a woman with the head of a lion, cheetah, or house-cat (though sometimes she was shown as a cat with a woman's head). Because cats could protect against the tiny monsters that made Egyptian homes unsafe, Mafdet was regarded as the protector of the home-- and of the kingdom itself! Later in Egyptian history, the goddess Bastet (sometimes just "Bast") replaced Mafdet as the feline goddess of choice.

Like Mafdet, she was regarded as a fierce protector of the home (and especially of children and royalty), largely because of cats' renowned ability to kill snakes, scorpions, and other vermin. Her followers called her the "Eye of Ra," the sun god, and believed that she fiercely watched the world and guarded Egypt against invasion. As Egyptians truly domesticated their cats, making them valued family members rather than just semi-feral animals that stalked and protected their owner's homes, Bastet's image became a lot softer-- she became a goddess of family, fertility, and love. Egyptians began regarding their cats as loving, important members of their families, and treated them with as much respect and dignity as their own children. Followers of the cult of Bastet would mummify their cats and mourn them in the same way they mourned human family members-- and in much the same way we cat-lovers mourn our own furry family members today. We tend to joke about how cats feel entitled to worship. Anyone who's ever known a spoiled tomcat knows that cats have never forgotten the days when they were worshiped. The worship of cats in ancient Egypt was well-founded. Cats once saved lives by defending families from vermin.

Without them, civilization as we know it might have never survived! > Animals of Ancient Egypt - Facts for Kids Worksheets Ancient Egyptian Animals Ancient Egypt had a number of animals that were local to the area and that they used as pets, farming, transportation, food and fat for cooking and oil. Because they conquered so many countries, they often brought in animals to their areas that were not ‘native’. Many of the pictures from Egypt show a lot of different types of animals that you might be surprised to see. The Egyptians made use of domesticated animals such as pigs, geese, sheep and goats. They used almost all of the animals for eggs, meat, milk, skins, fat and horns. If an animal was killed, nothing went to waste. While it was common to eat almost all animals, they don’t believe that they consumed pork. Even the dung of the animals was used as fertilizer and the goat skin was used for floating devices and water containers. Early in Egyptian times, they tried to domesticate other animals such as cranes, gazelles and hyenas, but when they failed, they gave up due. The addition of domesticate chickens began in the New Kingdom era, but they weren’t found everywhere.

Egyptians also grew a number of types of cattle: the African horned oxen, a smaller non-horned, and the long horned wild cattle. Zebu were added in the New Kingdom and became quite popular. Most of the cattle were used in farming as well as for their religious ceremonies. However, cattle were highly valued possessions and it appears that they kept them penned in the same way we do today. From the 13th dynasty on, Egyptians had horses. Since horses were expensive to own and keep, only the wealthy could afford them. Horses were rarely ridden but were attached to pull chariots. For transportation, the Egyptians used mules. These were sturdy animals that could carry a lot of weight and were cheaper than horses to feed. Camels were also domesticated and used for longer desert travel like they are today. Camels have the ability to walk very long distances while carrying heavy loads and don’t need that much water. The Egyptians were very fond of their pets and they often had cats, ferrets, Vervet monkeys, doves and falcons. Some of the pharaohs and members of the royal family had lions and cheetahs as pets.

They had dogs, but they were mostly used for guarding purposes and not as pets. The most favorite pet of the ancient Egyptians was the cat. They thought that the cat was a divine or god-like being and when they died, they mourned their death in the same way they would a human, including mummifying them. Cats were so important that it became a crime to kill a cat. There were many wild animals in ancient Egypt including crocodiles, hippos, jackals and snakes. The abundance of animals was due to so much water from the Nile River. There were also a lot of different types of birds and fish. Animals played an important part of the ancient Egyptian religions. While they didn’t worship the animals themselves, they would sometimes show their various gods and goddesses with the heads of certain animals of power. A specific god could also have more than one animal to represent him. There are many animal statutes that have been found throughout Egypt, which shows how important they thought they were. The later Egyptians developed more religious ceremonies around specific animals. The Apis Bulls were bred for sacrificial ceremonies as a symbol of power. Some of the ancient tombs have been found that were designed just for the bulls.

These weigh hundreds of tons and are big enough to hold the largest bull mummy. Sponsored Links Animals in Ancient Egypt - Society for the Protection of Animal Rights in Egypt Animals in Ancient Egypt The Complete Gods and Goddesses of Ancient Egypt, Wilkinson, Richard H. 2003 Dictionary of Egyptian Gods and Goddesses, A Hart, George 1986 Egyptian Religion, Morenz, Siegfried 1973 Cornell University Press Gods and Myths of Ancient Egypt Armour, Robert A. 1986 American University in Cairo Press The Gods of the Egyptians (Studies in Egyptian Mythology), Budge, E. A. Wallis 1969 Animals in Ancient Egypt Ancient Egyptian religion was not based on a set of theological principles, but rather the gods were connected to nature and the elements (earth, air, fire and water), or to animals. The ancient Egyptians believed in the infinite powers of the universe, and respected and worshiped each element that comprised it; they believed that the divine existed in everything. Respect and veneration for animals was fundamental in all their traditions. They were given important status throughout the ancient Egyptiansï¿½ life and afterlife.

Therefore, any appearance of the animal in their lives is in itself of religious importance, and often the worship of the animals was very direct, to the point where pets were found mummified and buried with their owners. The ancient Egyptians were very sensitive to the characteristics of the animals: Anubis, who was a jackal (dog) weighed the heart of the dead for Osiris; any dog owner today will tell you that dogs can see the true heart and intent of a person. Bastet, who was a cat, was an important and infinite source of power throughout the ancient Egyptian religion: she was seen as the protector of home and hearth, and the goddess of fertility ï¿½ the ancient Egyptians saw that cats were tender and protective of their young. The gods (almost 80) were represented as humans, animals or a combination of human and animal form. The ancient Egyptians also believed that many of their gods and goddesses were reincarnated on earth as animals, and honored these animals in and around Ancient Egyptian temples, through daily rituals and annual festivals. They offered them food, drink and clothing. In temples, the high priests would watch over the statues being washed, perfumed and dressed in clothes and jewelry three times a day.

Gods: Sokar Attributes: royal, overseer The head probably graced the prow of a ceremonial boat that stood in a temple sanctuary. Boats decorated with antelope heads were sacred to the god Sokar, who was the overseer of the desert and the royal cemeteries near Memphis, Egypt's capital in the north. Baboon Gods: Thoth, the god of writing and recording; Khonsu - youthful moon-god; Hapy, the son of Horus was depicted with the head of a baboon. Attributes: Eloquence, strength, fairness, responsibility. Among other things, Thoth was responsible for the lunar-based calendar, and was sometimes depicted with the head of a baboon on the scales of judgment Hapy was responsible for the canopic jar that held the lungs. Bull Gods: Ptah, Osiris Attributes: Power, masculinity, fertility, regeneration The bull was one of the most important animal gods in ancient Egypt. When an Apis bull died, it was embalmed and buried in great honor. From 1390 B.C. onwards, the Apis bull burial grounds were a huge and growing underground system of chambers called the Seapeum.

The mothers of Apis bulls had their own cult and burial places. Cat Gods: Bastet Attributes: Protector, defender, fertility, offspring, childbirth. Cats were thought to have some of the most important divine powers. They were also seen as tender and protective of their offspring, and expectant mothers would wear amulets of Bastet with kittens. Cow Gods: Hathor, Isis, Nut, Mehet-Weret, Bat Attributes: Female fertility These goddesses were often represented with cow horns or cow ears. The cow symbolized the pharaohï¿½s mother (as bulls represented the pharaoh). Cobra Gods: Wadjet Attributes: Justice, fertility, protection, royalty Snakes in general were symbols of resurrection, and a giant snake called Methen guarded the sacred boat of Re as he sailed through the Underworld. Crocodile Gods: Ammut; Sobek; Taweret Attributes: Justice, power, respect Ammut, the female demon in the judgement hall, had the head of a crocodile. She was known to devour the dead, and punished sinners by eating their hearts. Sobek was portrayed as a human with the head of a crocodile, or as the crocodile itself.

The temples of Sobek usually had sacred lakes where crocodiles were fed and cared for. Taweret, the hippo goddess of childbirth, was thought to have the back and tail of a crocodile, or was shown with a crocodile perched on her back. Falcon Horus was often depicted with the head of a falcon. There was often a falcon with outstretched wings hovering over the head of the pharaoh. Montu God of war also held the falcon as sacred. Socar was the god of the Memphite cemetry. Frog Gods: Heget; The four male primeval gods of the Ogdoad ï¿½ Nun (water), Amen (invisibility), Heh (infinity), Kek (darkness) Attributes: fertility, resurrection, childbirth Because the Egyptians saw that there were many frogs, all from the Nile, they associated the frog with fertility and resurrection Goose Gods: Geb; Isis (his daughter); Amon Attributes: Strength It was believed that Geb laid the egg from which the sun was hatched. His laugh was also known to create earthquakes. He is known as the god of the earth.

Attributes: Strength, protectiveness, justice, benevolence (female hippos), the household Set was thought to have turned into a hippopotamus during his fight with Horus Ibis Gods: Thoth, Tehuty, Djehuty Attributes: Knowledge, part of the soul, Though some stories place him as a son of Ra, others say that Thoth created himself through the power of language. He is the creator of magic, the inventor of writing, teacher of man, the messenger of the gods (and thus identified by the Greeks with Hermes) and the divine record-keeper and mediator. Jackal/Dog Gods: Anubis; Duamutef; Wepwawet; Sed Attributes: Fairness, clairvoyance, sensitivity, judgment, guide Anubis was the god of embalming and mummification. He guarded the canopic jar that held the stomach, and was given the title of ï¿½Opener of the Waysï¿½, performing the Opening of the Mouth ceremony on the pharaoh so he would be able to speak in the afterlife. Anubis also weighed the heart of the dead for Osiris.

The jackal was also thought to be a guide to the newly dead because they were often seen around the desert and mountains where the tombs were usually built. Lion Gods: Aker; Shu; Tefnut; Hathor; Wadjet; Mut; Maahes; Sekhmet; Nefertem; Shesmu; Apedemak; Bes Attributes: Strength, leadership, royalty, ferocity, war, healing, beauty. The rising and the setting of the sun; guardian of the horizon The earth god Aker was shown in the form of a 'double sphinx' - two lions seated back to back - and was thought to guard the sun as it entered and exited the underworld at the eastern and western horizons. Monkey Gods: one of the more important animal forms into which many of the gods might be transformed Attributes: rebirth, renewal The maternal image was a symbol of rebirth and renewal, recurring concepts in the Egyptian belief system. Monkeys (and baboons) were also considered very important religiously, God: Ma'at Attributes: the personification of order Maï¿½at was shown as a seated woman wearing an ostrich feather as her headdress or as the feather itself.

God: Set, god of chaos Attributes: chaos, sacrifice, sight Set took the form of a pig and blinded Horus then disappeared. Eventually Horus regained his sight. The eyes of Horus was thought to represent the sun and the moon, and the legend of the blinding of the god was an explanation of solar and lunar eclipses. Ram Khnum created men on his pottery wheel. Scarab Beetle Gods: Khepri; Amen Attributes: Solar resurrection, new life, creation As the scarab pushes its dung behind it in a ball, so the Egyptians thought that Khepri pushed the sun across the sky. Young scarabs emerged, born out of the dung, and so the scarab also came to symbolise new life and creation. Snake Gods: Apep; the four primeval goddesses of the Ogdoad - Naunet (water), Amaunet (invisibility), Hauhet (infinity) and Kauket (darkness); Nehebkau Attributes: danger and cure The snake had mixed popularity in Egypt because snakes caused the danger and the cure to the venom.

Apep was a water snake-demon of the underworld, who tried to stop Ra on his nightly journey through the land of the west. Scorpion Gods: Serqet, Tabitjet Attributes: Poison and protection; prevention and cure; virginity The scorpion was sacred to Isis, who was thought to have been protected by scorpions while Horus was young. Vulture Egypt The Cat in Ancient Egypt Contact Us About us Tour Egypt aims to offer the ultimate Egyptian adventure and intimate knowledge about the country. We offer this unique experience in two ways, the first one is by organizing a tour and coming to Egypt for a visit, whether alone or in a group, and living it firsthand. The second way to experience Egypt is from the comfort of your own home: online. Egypt The Cat in Ancient Egypt The Cat in Ancient Egypt By Ilene Springer After the pyramids and the kohl painted eyes, almost nothing evokes more awe and mystery than the fascination ancient Egyptians had with cats. They were not only the most popular pet in the house, but their status rose to that of the sacred animals and then on to the most esteemed deities like no other creature before them.

Cats domesticate the ancient Egyptians Although no one can pinpoint the time exactly, we know that the cat was domesticated in Egypt, probably around 2000 B.C., and that most modern cats are descendants of the cats of ancient Egypt. One reason it is difficult to say precisely when domestication occurred is that the ancient Egyptians did not distinguish between wild and tame cats in their descriptions of them. There was one word for cat-and that was miu or mii, meaning "he or she who mews." So then how did domestication of the cat come about? Dogs, associated with hunting, had actually been domesticated thousands of years before, according to archeologists. But cats, being the aloof, aristocratic creatures they are admired for, apparently took their time in fully befriending the ancient Egyptians. Modern Egyptian Wild Cat: The Sand Cat Possibly one of the ancestors of the Modern Cat There is a cat known as the African wild cat (Felis silvestris libyca)-one of the closest wild relatives of the modern cat. It is larger than the average domesticated cat of today.

The feline's tawny, yellow-gray fur, long tapering tail and striped markings, affording it ideal camouflage among the rocks and sand of the desert. This cat is known as a predator-a hunter of small game-rather than a scavenger. The other cat native to Egypt is the swamp or jungle cat-(Felis chaus), but it is the wild cat which is believed to have been the cat to "domesticate the Egyptians." In the villages, the greatest danger to Egyptian households were the numerous poisonous snakes, rats and mice which attacked food supplies in the home and the village granaries. The wild cat, it is assumed, strayed into the villages and hunted down the vermin, keeping them at bay. It's easy to imagine the grateful Egyptians leaving out scraps of food to encourage the wild cats on their vigils. A symbiotic relationship occurred between animal and human. Next, the felines found their way into the Egyptian homes, spent some time there, allowed themselves to be tamed and raised their kittens in a human environment. As soon as the Egyptians began supplying the cats with food, thereby significantly changing their diet, and breeding them for certain characteristics, the cats were domesticated.

They were perfect pets-playful, intelligent, affectionate and helpful to the farmers who sustained life in ancient Egypt. Tomb paintings with cats as part of family life began to show up during the New Kingdom-about 500 years after the first attempts at domestication. But the most direct evidence for domestication comes from cemeteries of mummified cats. These appear to be from around 1000 B.C. (the late Pharonic era). And they were most likely domesticated cats from ordinary households or temple catteries; it wouldn't make sense to go to such trouble for wild animals who died. The lovable and helpful pet During the New Kingdom (1540 to 1069 B.C.), there were many tomb scenes that started showing cats as part of everyday life. The ancient Egyptians took their cats on hunting excursions, especially in the marshes where cats may have been trained to retrieve fowl and fish. Another very common scene in tomb paintings was a cat seated under a woman's chair, showing that the cat had become an integral part of the ancient Egyptian family life. Modern Egyptian Mau Many Egyptian parents named their children after cats, especially their daughters. Some girls were called Mit or Miut.

The mummy of a five-year-old girl named Mirt was found at Deir el-Bahri in King Mentuhotep's temple. Cats were also valued for their mysterious and superstitious qualities. There is a myth that the Egyptians once won a battle because of cats. They were fighting a foreign regiment and just at the time of attack by the foreigners, the Egyptian released thousands of cats at the front lines. Seeing the onslaught of these terrifying creatures, the foreign army retreated in panic. Cats as sacred animals "The progress of the cat in Egyptian religion was quite remarkable and in many respects unusual," writes Jaromir Malek, author of The Cat in Ancient Egypt. "Unlike some other animals, the cat was not primarily associated with an important local deity at the beginning of Egyptian time. It never attained a truly elected 'official' status which would have enabled it to become a full member of the divine community encountered on the walls of Egyptian temples. But in spite of all this, the cat's popularity eventually surpassed that of any other animal and reached far beyond Egypt's boundaries." The earliest feline cat goddess recorded was called Mafdet and is described in the Pyramid Texts as killing a serpent with her claws.

But the most famous cat goddesses in the world, first revered by the ancient Egyptians were Bastet (also known as Bast, Pasch, Ubasti) and the lion-headed Sekhmet. Bastet was often depicted as having the body of a woman and the head of a domestic cat. She was associated with the Eye of Ra, acting within the sun god's power. The Egyptians loved Bastet so much that she became a household goddess and protector of women, children and domestic cats. She was also the goddess of sunrise, music, dance, pleasure, as well as family, fertility and birth. Her supposed evil counterpart was the goddess Sekhmet who represented the cat goddess' destructive force. She is known as the goddess of war and pestilence. But even she was tamed by Ra (who supposedly got her drunk) and she eventually became the powerful protector of humans. Together, Bastet and Sekhmet represented the balance of the forces of nature. Cats began to appear on objects of everyday life. There were gold cats on intricate bracelets, small golden cat pendants, cats amulets made of soapstone for necklaces and rings. Women made up their faces holding mirrors with cats on the wooden handles and on their cosmetic pots.

The best part was that ordinary people could enjoy the protection of the cat goddess through their amulets on their clothing or around their necks or in their earlobes. Cats even figured in dream interpretation. In one book of ancient dreams, it was said that if a man sees a cat in a dream, it means he will have a good harvest. In the late periods of Egyptian history, the popularity of the cat increased and a great many bronze cat statuettes were made; most were intended for shrines or funerary purposes. Most had pierced ears and silver or gold earrings. Their eyes were made of inlaid rock crystal or a similar opaque material. The ancient Egyptians considered the female cat as a good mother, and there have been several statues of mother cats and kittens discovered. Cats were held in such high esteem that at one point, the penalty for killing a cat-even accidentally-was death. Feline festivities Probably the greatest testimony to cats were the cults and celebrations the ancient Egyptians devoted to Bastet. In northern Egypt, around 3200 B.C., the city Bubastis came into being.

This was the center of worship for the goddess Bastet, which simply means "she who comes from Bast." Once a year around October 31, the festival of Bastet would occur with hundreds of thousands of people making pilgrimages to Bubastis and other ancient cities including Memphis. There was singing and wine and wild behavior. And as the evening ended, there was also prayers to Bastet, accompanied by music and incense. Bubastis was destroyed by the Persians in 350 B.C. But her most famous residents live on-not only in the streets of Cairo and the villages of rural Egypt but all over the world. Through the common domesticated cat, the ancient Egyptians achieved a most uncommon mission-immortality. ### Ilene Springer writes on ancient Egypt and archaeology and is a student of museum studies at Harvard University. Source: The Cat in Ancient Egypt by Jaromir Malek (British Museum Press, 1993)

Question: Which domestic animal was worshipped by the ancient Egyptians?
Answer: The cat