Did you know that domestic kitties are found all over the world? In fact, there are more than five hundred million domestic kitties in homes throughout the world. And one of the most popular locations for Egyptian house cats! We’ll look at some of the fascinating facts about Egyptian domestic kitties in this post. We will also explore why they are so popular among Egyptians, and what their lives are like.
One of the most popular places for domestic kitties in ancient Egypt is, unsurprisingly, near Ancient Egyptian temples and tombs. In fact, there are numerous paintings and carvings of domestic kitties from this time period that still exist today. It is believed that these felines were kept as mousers to help protect food stores from rodents. Domestic kitties were also considered sacred animals by the Ancient Egyptians; they represented fertility, good luck, and protection against evil spirits.
What Did Ancient Egyptian Cats look like?
Domestic cats in ancient Egypt were similar to the cats we have today. They had a sleek streamlined bodies, small heads, and pointed noses. Ancient Egyptian cats did not have much fur, but they did have a mane around their neck which gave them an appearance similar to lions! Some people believe that these housecats may have also had spots, but it is hard to tell since they are usually depicted in bright colors.
The lives of cats in ancient Egypt (and elsewhere) were much harder than ours today! They spent their nights hunting mice and rats for food, and their days either inside homes or outside hunting prey. And, as it turns out, they also ate the same food as people! Staple foods for Egyptians included lentils, beans, and other types of seafood.
This meant that housecats were able to eat the same foods as their humans. This may be why they were considered sacred; there was a level of respect between these animals and the Ancient Egyptians themselves.
A Myth About Sekhmet the Goddess
Sekhmet is one of the most popular ancient Egyptian cats, and there are many stories about her. According to one myth, she was created by the sun god Ra when he became angry with humans. He sent Sekhmet out to destroy them all, but she ended up killing so many people that she drank so much blood that she started to get ill! Ra, being the god that he was, turned Sekhmet into a goddess.
Another legend about Sekhmet is that she brought the plague to earth after Ra had become angered at humanity (again). She came down with pestilence and killed everyone in her path including all of the other gods except for Hathor; who hid behind Ra.
Hathor was able to trick Sekhmet by removing her blood-soaked clothes and wiping the blood on Sekhmet’s mouth so she wouldn’t realize she was covered in it. When Sekhmet saw herself in a mirror, she thought that her reflection may have been the cause of the plague. She consulted with Ra, who agreed that it was not on her. As a reward, Ra turned Sekhmet into the goddess of healing.
The Cats Were Sacred In Egypt
Surprisingly, the Egyptians were not alone in regarding domestic kitties as sacred creatures. The Babylonians and the Greeks also worshipped them for their ability to catch pests and ward off evil spirits. In fact, in Ancient Greece, it was actually illegal to kill a mother cat!
Cat statues and ancient Egyptian art have been found everywhere in Egypt and even now they are still there for people to study the popularity of ancient Egyptian cats. This is likely because they believed that when an Egyptian cat died, its soul would go to heaven and become a guardian angel.
So why were domestic kitties so popular among the ancient Egyptians? There are likely several reasons. Firstly, they helped protect food stores from rodents – an essential task when food was scarce. Secondly, they were seen as symbols of fertility and good luck. So this means that cats were a necessary part of ancient Egyptian life.
Bubastis A Place For Cat Worship
The city of Bubastis was one of Ancient Egypt’s most well-known sites for worshipping cats. This city was home to a large temple dedicated to Bastet, the goddess of cats. Here, pilgrims would come from all over to pay tribute to the sacred animals. In fact, the festival of Bastet was one of the most popular events in Ancient Egyptian culture!
Today, domestic kitties are still popular among Egyptians. They can be found living in almost every household and are considered an important part of family life. In fact, many Egyptians believe that it is bad luck to have a house without a cat! So next time you’re in Egypt, be sure to keep an eye out for these beloved felines – they’re sure to be everywhere you go.
The Cats Were Mummified In Ancient Egypt
One of the most interesting facts about domestic kitties in Egypt is that they were often mummified when they died. In fact, there are more than 300,000 cat mummy specimens have been discovered in Egypt! Mummified cats were worshipped and often placed in the same tombs as their owners. This was likely because the ancient Egyptians believed that the soul of a dead cat would go to heaven and become a guardian angel.
Cats were mummified and placed inside their human companion’s tomb because This meant that the deceased person could inhabit the body of the mummified cat in the afterlife
It’s fascinating to think about how popular family cats were among the ancient Egyptians – and how much they continue to be loved and revered today.
Ancient Egyptians worshipped Many Other Animals
There were many animals that the ancient Egyptians found to be important and valuable. For example, crocodiles were associated with kingship and power; horses were sacred animals who helped them travel around the country; cows were a sign of fertility and represented motherhood, and falcons seem to have been honorary members of Egyptian royalty!
Did you know that they also believed in keeping small pets such as dogs at home? Many tombs have been discovered containing mummified puppies alongside their deceased masters.
It’s amazing to think about how much value they placed on these creatures and how this has influenced their culture even up until today!
The Two Types of Cats That Made Their Life In Egypt
There are two types of cats that made their life in Egypt, the Desert Cat, and the African jungle cat. The former is a small cat that can be found throughout North Africa and the Middle East, while the latter is a larger cat that can be found in sub-Saharan Africa.
The domestic kitties in ancient Egypt were likely descendants of the desert cat, as this is the only type of African wildcat that would have been accessible to them. Over time, they evolved into the smaller, tamer cats we know today.
The Ancient Cats Had a Relation of Fertility With Women
The ancient cats had a relationship of fertility with women, as the goddess Bastet was known to be the one who gives life. To this day, many Egyptian women still get tattoos of cats on their ankles to show their appreciation for the animal.
Lions were also popular in Ancient Egypt, but they were considered to be more of a royalty animal than cats. They can occasionally be found in paintings and carvings from that time period.
We’ve explored some of the most interesting facts about domestic felines in Ancient Egypt. These felines were popular among the ancient Egyptians for a variety of reasons, including their ability to protect food stores from rodents and their association with fertility and good luck.
One of the most popular places for domestic cats in Egypt is near Ancient Egyptian temples and tombs. In fact, there are numerous paintings and carvings of domestic cats from this time period that still exist today.
Today, domestic cats in Egypt continue to be popular among locals. Many families keep them as pets in their homes, and they are often used for hunting purposes too. While life can be difficult for street cats in Egypt (they may face danger from traffic or abuse from humans), those who are lucky enough to be adopted by a family often enjoy a comfortable life. They typically receive regular meals, veterinary care, and plenty of love and attention from their human companions.
Who was the Bastet?
Bastet was the cat goddess in ancient Egyptian mythology, as Bast. She is a solar deity associated with the sun and is also considered a “protectress of Lower Egypt”. In addition to being a goddess, she was also a priestess as well as the wife of Ptah.
In art, Bast is usually depicted as a domesticated cat, as a woman with the head of a cat, or as a cat-headed woman. Although she was associated with domestic cats, she was also associated with other animals like lions and snakes.
Many Egyptians prayed to Bastet for protection against harmful bites from poisonous snakes and scorpions.
Cats were one of the most important domesticated animals in ancient Egypt. They were linked to the deity Bastet and used as cat mummies for her rituals.
Conclusion
The domestication of cats in Egypt is a long and complicated process that is still being studied by researchers today. It is believed that the first domesticated cats originated in the Near East, where they were used to help farmers control pests. From there, they spread throughout the world due to their popularity as pets.
The ancient Egyptians were particularly fond of cats, and many religious ceremonies and myths revolved around them. In fact, when a domestic cat died, its owner would often bury it with great ceremony.
Cats held such an important place in Egyptian society that they even became associated with certain gods and goddesses. Over time, the domestication of cats in Egypt has had a profound impact on both human culture and feline behaviour.
FAQ
Here are some of the most frequently asked questions:
Q. What cats did they have in ancient Egypt?
Ans: The domesticated cats in ancient Egypt were likely descendants of the desert cat, as this is the only type of wildcat that would have been accessible to them.
Q. What was the relationship between cats and women in ancient Egypt?
Ans: Cats were considered to be symbols of fertility in ancient Egyptian culture, which is why they had a close relationship with women.
Q. Do Egyptians still love cats today?
Ans: Yes! Domestic cats are still popular among locals in modern-day Egypt, and many families keep them as pets. Cats are also often used for hunting purposes.
Q. Why are there so many cat mummies in ancient Egypt?
Ans: It’s believed that the ancient Egyptians buried their dead cats with a great ceremony because they believed that the soul of the cat would help them in the afterlife.AnsA
Q. What is the significance of cats in ancient Egyptian culture?
Ans: Cats held a very important place in ancient Egyptian society and were often associated with certain gods and goddesses. They played a significant role in both human culture and feline behaviour.
Q. How did cats become domesticated in ancient Egypt?
Ans: It’s believed that the first domesticated cats originated in ancient Egypt, where they were used to help farmers control pests. From there, they spread throughout the world due to their popularity as pets.
Q. Why were cats not considered pets in ancient Egypt?
Ans: Cats were not considered pets in ancient Egypt because they were used for hunting purposes and to help control pests. They did not have the same close relationship with humans that dogs did.
Q. Did cats choose to be domesticated?
Ans: It’s believed that cats were domesticated by humans, rather than the other way around. This process likely began when farmers started using them to control pests.
