Cats were an integral part of ancient Egyptian society and religion. They were highly revered animals that were often worshipped and even mummified after their deaths. But why did cats garner such devotion in ancient Egypt?
The Role of Cats in Ancient Egypt
Cats first appeared in Egypt around 2000 BC and were quickly domesticated. They held an important position in Egyptian households, helping to protect food supplies from vermin such as mice, rats, and snakes. As a result, cats came to symbolize protection.
Beyond their practical role, cats were closely linked to divinities and royalty in ancient Egypt. The cat goddess Bastet was among the most popular deities in Egypt for over 3,000 years. She was the daughter of the sun god Ra and a fierce protector goddess associated with women, fertility, and childbirth.
Cats were so sacred that killing one, even accidentally, incurred the death penalty. When a household cat died, the entire family would shave their eyebrows as a sign of mourning. Families took their dead cats to be mummified and placed the mummified remains in elaborately decorated bronzes or stone coffins.
Associations with Divine and Royal Power
There were several key factors that contributed to the exalted status of cats in ancient Egyptian society:
- Cats were connected to divinity and royalty. Bastet was linked with the protection of the pharaohs, and so cats shared this sacred association.
- Cats embodied grace, poise, and dignity, qualities that were valued in rulers. The posture of the cat mirrored the seated pose of royal and divine figures in Egyptian art.
- Cats were thought to be a sacred animal of the sun god Ra, and Bastet was sometimes depicted with the head of a lioness representing the fierce, fiery eye of Ra.
- The cat’s mysterious nature and sinister-looking eyes linked them to the underworld and the gods. They seemed to bridge the divine and earthly realms.
In many ways, cats came to symbolize the divine royal authority of both gods and kings in ancient Egypt. Their close proximity to humans also made them mediators between people and deities or royalty.
Hunting Prowess and War-Like Nature
While cats are nowadays cherished for being gentle pets and lazy nappers, the ancient Egyptians also saw their more war-like capabilities. The cat goddess Bastet was envisioned as a fierce lioness who defended the king. Her son, the cat god Mafdet, also had a lion head.
Cats were admired for their swift hunting abilities, stealth, and sharp senses. As divine hunters and warriors, they protected against evil forces. When cats hunted venomous snakes, cobras, and scorpions around Egyptian homes, this defense against danger reinforced their protective symbolism.
Association with the Moon and the Lunar Cycle
In ancient Egypt, cats were also linked to the moon and the lunar cycle. The eyes and glowing feline gaze were thought to mimic the moon and its nighttime light. Cats’ semi-nocturnal behavior had them roaming houses when the moon was brightest.
For the Egyptians, the moon was also a protector that drove away darkness. The waxing and waning cycles of the moon symbolized renewal and rebirth, as did the sun. For these reasons, cats again were intertwined with Egyptian beliefs about divine powers and the afterlife.
Sinister Reputation and Magic
Interestingly, some of the spookier aspects of cats also made them seem powerful to the ancient Egyptians. Their eyes glowed in the night, and they moved in a mysterious, stealthy manner. Their noises could sound eerie and haunting.
These qualities made cats seem closely connected to magic and the supernatural. If a cat died prematurely or was killed, people believed its spirit would curse the perpetrator. Many myths and legends told of cats with vengeful spirits causing harm to humans if mistreated.
Overall, the air of magical danger and mystery around cats reinforced their divine status. Ancient Egyptians saw cats as having access to supernatural realms and possessing an otherworldly knowledge.
Strong Maternal Instincts
The ancient Egyptians greatly valued family and fertility in their society. Consequently, they honored animals that embodied strong maternal instincts like cats. The fierce devotion of mother cats to their kittens aligned with goddess figures like Bastet who protected women and children.
The Egyptians observed the care cats gave their young and linked them to the cycle of fertility and birth. Bastet was sometimes pictured surrounded by litters of kittens representing her alignments with femininity, fertility, and motherhood.
Grace, Beauty and Elegance
Cats were revered for their graceful movements, silky fur, meticulous grooming habits, and natural elegance. Their lithe movements captivated the Egyptians as did their ability to move silent and unseen. The soft fur and purring were soothing and conveyed comfort.
These elegant mannerisms again connected cats to divinity, royalty, and heightened abilities. Their beauty and refinement were admirable qualities that were divine in nature. Images of cats depict them moving with agility and regal posture. Their grooming habits conveyed order, wisdom, and attention to detail.
Association with the Afterlife
One of the most important contributions cats made to Egyptian society was their association with eternity and the afterlife. As mentioned, cats were mummified by the thousands to honor their lives after death. The expectation was that the preserved cat would join its owners in the next life.
This bond between humans and cats bridged the natural realm and the afterlife. Having cats mummified and buried with them offered Egyptians hope of reuniting with their beloved pets. It showed how deeply cats were valued and respected.
Numerous Divinities with Feline Imagery
A host of Egyptian gods and goddesses were depicted in cat form or as having feline heads and other features:
- Bastet – Goddess of protection, fertility, childbirth, women.
- Mafdet – Goddess of justice and execution who guarded tombs and killed snakes.
- Ra – Sun god, the cat embodied his watchful, protective gaze.
- Sekhmet – Goddess of war, pestilence, and medicine, depicted as a lioness.
- Tefnut – Goddess of moisture, dew, and rain, depicted as a lioness.
The prevalence of part-cat and cat-like deities shows just how strong the connection was between felines and powers of protection, fertility, femininity, royalty, and the afterlife.
Associated with Piety and Grace
Cats reflected many virtuous qualities that Egyptians wanted to embody – cleanliness, patience, poise, attentiveness, piety, grace. Honoring cats and elevating their status served as a model for people striving to be their best selves.
Treating cats humanely and with ritual care encouraged good morals. Instilling cats with a sense of the sacred reminded Egyptians to live with meaning, purpose, and divine reverence. So cats upheld cultural values and behaviors believed to be righteous and pure in nature.
Conclusion
For ancient Egyptians, cats were not just pets and pest-control, but creatures intricately tied to their religious beliefs and societal values. Cats embodied the protective and fertility powers seen in their lioness goddess figures. Their mysterious nature and secretive activities linked them to magic and the afterlife. Honoring cats was a way for Egyptians to show devotion to the gods and hope for eternal life.
From their hunting prowess to maternal devotion, cats aligned with many positive virtues in Egyptian culture. As creatures of beauty, elegance, and quiet power, they took on sacred associations. The Egyptians honored the cat for its intrinsic virtues and for all it represented about the divine, the mysterious, and the eternal. Cats offered comfort, familiarity, and spiritual meaning to everyday life.