Cats In Ancient Egypt

Cats are a common household pet for many people, what many people don't know however is how important those furry friends were to Egyptians. The Egyptians incorporated them into their everyday lives, some cats were considered gods, All of these a lot different than how we see cats today. Cats were known as Mau (May-you) in ancient Egypt, they stood as a symbol of Grace and poise. They were considered sacred and were praised as they had the abilities to control pests like rats and mice, but also the ability to kill snakes including cobras. Due to the fact that they were held high in the people's eyes the Egyptians had severe punishments for harming or killing a cat. Sometimes the cats were even mummified with the same rituals as humans.

This started a symbiotic relationship with the cats. Soon the cats were bred for certain abilities and even became hunting partners with the Egyptians. It was these abilities that cats had that caused them to be worshipped by the Egyptians (S) The earliest cat goddess known was Mafdet. She is known as the goddess of judgement, Justice, and execution. She was the first feline goddess, Often being shown with the head of a cat and a lady’s body. Her hair is usually in a braid with tails or other parts of scorpions with in the braids.

As a goddess she was commonly know as a protector against venom, more specificly snake or scorpion venom. This was one of her traits do to her feline features. She was also believed to be the protector of Ra. Ra is known as the kind of the gods, or the sun god. In the Egyptian culture it was thought that his weaknesses included Snakebites and Scorpion stings. Mafdet was invoked in rituals made for those afflicted by venom.

Mafdet was also known as the protector of the pharaoh. Her sharp claws are symbolized as similar to the harpoon that protects the pharaoh from his enemies that are know to come from the underworld. Because of that connection she was known to protect the pharaoh’s tomb, chamber and other sacred

Researchers believe there about 300,000 cats mummified and buried in their own cemetery next to their human owners. The goddess had two natures, a protective nature that shows in her lioness form while assisting Raa on his way across the sky. The other nature she was said to contain was destructive, This aggressive side was said to come out in battles when fighting battles to protect Raa from apep a serpent demon. When this side of the goddess come out she was known to take a different form of herself, or the form of her twin sister. Even with the two natures Bastet was one of the most beloved goddesses in Egypt there were many statues built in her honor and in many towns there large festivals called multiple things like “the carnival of bast”. In one town called the city of bubastis, about 700,000 people came yearly to celebrate the festival. Cats may not be as praised as they were back then but they do seem to keep the act up of acting like royalty. Egyptians hold a lot of mysteries and secrets, cats were prominent in their culture and lifestyle. Many people think that dogs were a man's best friend, but that wasn't the case for