They didn’t name them but revered them as gods: What was the real connection between the ancient Egyptians and cats?

In ancient times, ancient Egyptians and cats had a deep bond that went beyond simple friendship. According to GreekReporter , the felines were revered for their complex nature, embodying both elegance and cruelty.

Focus.Technology has its own technology. Telegram channel. Subscribe so you don’t miss the latest and most exciting news from the world of science!

At first they were kept for practical reasons such as pest control, but over time they became integral members of the home. Evidence of this particular situation can be found in archaeological sites where mummified cats have been found, demonstrating their importance in daily life.

Cats were not revered simply because they were thought to be divine; rather, Egyptians attributed the qualities of these animals to their gods. One such goddess, Bastet, became synonymous with feline characteristics.

Originally depicted as a lioness, Bastet gradually evolved into a feline or hybrid figure representing the god’s dual role as protector and mother-nurse.

Bastet’s character reflected that of a real cat, affectionate and fierce when necessary. She was honored in numerous artistic representations, from statues of seated cats to paintings of kittens. These works of art often included inscriptions from people asking her for prayers for health and fertility.

Interestingly, despite cats being so revered in society, many ancient Egyptians did not give them names. Instead, they called these animals by the word “miu,” meaning “meow.”

Although they had no name, Egyptians worshipped their cats, considering them divine symbols. Their fascination extended to the animals’ hunting abilities and maternal instincts, traits that they saw as inherent in their gods.

The death of a cat was a significant event, marked by rituals and sometimes even mummification, in which families sought to honor their beloved pets and the gods they represented.

The respect for cats was not limited to ordinary homes. Royals treated their cats with the same respect as humans, often feeding them from their plates and decorating them with gold jewelry.

This devotion extended to other feline deities, such as Sekhmet, the lioness war goddess who protected the sun god Ra. Statues and paintings of these divine beings are still held in museums today, testifying to their enduring importance in Egyptian culture.

Cats were mummified along with other animals, each associated with a specific deity. These mummified creatures were offerings given in the hope of gaining favor or expressing gratitude. Numerous mummified cat offerings have been made to the goddess Bastet, who was associated with cats, and many of these have been found in the city of Delta, which was her main center of worship.

Important

These cat mummies were carefully prepared, placed in cat-shaped coffins or wrapped in canvas and painted to resemble the animal they revered. This practice demonstrates the deep spiritual bond between the ancient Egyptians and their feline companions, a connection that went beyond the mundane and into the realm of the sacred.

Previously Focus He spoke about the terrifying discovery of Turkish scientists. For the first time in history, the skull of a pilgrim buried in an Orthodox church was discovered as evidence of an ancient Christian tradition.

We also wrote that we discovered an unexpected connection between animal species and the tools ancient humans made from their bones. Spanish scientists discovered that the Neolithic inhabitants of the Iberian Peninsula had a clear pattern of whose bones were used to make which tools.