Bastet, the Egyptian goddess represented in the form of a cat

Over the years, the cat has had to overcome many problems to survive and reach our days, especially during the Medieval Era, when it was believed to be the carrier of the bubonic plague. During those years, he was hunted down and burned at the stake, something that would have certainly horrified the ancient Egyptians.

They literally worshiped this animal. Harming him was considered a crime. They loved him so much that they came to believe that he was a god, or rather, a goddess 🙂. A goddess they called Bastet.

Bastet was a goddess who was represented in the form of a domestic cat, or as a woman with the head of a cat accompanied by a musical instrument known as a sistrum, as she likes to cheer humans up with her music. So, symbolized the joy of living. But not only that, but it was believed that it protected pregnant women and newborns from diseases.

Although she was a peaceful goddess, when she got angry she transformed into a woman with the head of a lioness, becoming very violent. Thus, like the totemic animal it represents, could be unpredictable, being able to show tender or aggressive at any time.

Its cult dates back to the earliest times of ancient civilization, that is, 4000 years ago. The ancient city of Bubastis (today Zagazig, located in the delta of the Nile) was devoted to his cult. Temples were built to pay homage to him, and cats were raised that, upon death, were carefully mummified and then buried in specific tombs for them..

The ancient Egyptians loved cats, so much so that, according to legend, they surrendered to the Persians when they held cats to their shields, as the Persians knew that the Egyptians preferred to surrender rather than harm these animals.

I wish things hadn't changed so much since then.