❖ Bastet is shown holding a sistrum in one hand and an ‘ankh’, the key of life in another. Pet cats were adored in Egypt and when one died, the entire family would shave their heads in mourning. ❖ Believed to be the patron goddess of fire, cats, hearth, and expectant mothers, Bastet began to be worshiped as a protective deity after 1000 BCE. Festival activities included drinking copious amounts of wine, which is a divine drink associated with the goddess. ❖ The occupation of Egypt during the Ptolemaic dynasty from 305 BCE to 30 BCE, witnessed the transformation of Bastet into a lunar deity from a solar goddess, who was also the daughter of Re, the Sun god. The sistrum, a percussion instrument, is one of her symbols. When these cats died, they were mummified so that they could be presented to the goddess as an offering. ❖ The ancient Egyptians would often name towns in honor of their gods. She protects the Kitty Dragon with all her might. Rating Pending. Bastet is the Egyptian goddess of cats, the home, fire, sunrise, music, dance, pleasure as well as sexuality, fertility, family, pregnant women and children. Season 5 Guides & Builds. A sanctuary dedicated to her son, Maahes, was close by. Others state the additional t was to make Bastet sound more feminine. It’s just Bast. Bastet was the Cat goddess and as cats were her sacred animal, any harm to cats was considered to be a crime against her and therefore unfortunate and very unlucky. In fact, even before the cat was domesticated during the Second Dynasty, there were already statues of Bastet as a Cat Goddess of even longer-limbed cats with longer ears. Bastet is the Egyptian goddess of cats, the home, fire, sunrise, music, dance, pleasure as well as sexuality, fertility, family, pregnant women and children. Dr. Mohamed Ibrahim said "The importance of this discovery that it could lead to discovering a whole temple." Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. Bastet - Goddess of Cats, An Overall Guide & Builds (7.9) (=^-ω-^=) 64 3 237,355. Bastet: Goddess Of Protection. Therefore, during stories from the Ptolemaic Dynasty, Bastet is often linked to Greek goddesses and even shares overlapping powers. Bastet was once worshiped for her role as a fierce protector in Lower Egypt. During early Egyptian times the city was called Per-Bast which translates into “the domain of Bast”. Her affiliations with the Sun and Moon typically occur in earlier Egyptian mythology. Bastet’s essential transformation, which Historia says took place around 3,000 years ago, saw the gentle warrior goddess go from woman with the head of a lioness to full-blown domesticated cat. She also would be given gold, diamonds, silver, perfumes and other riches. Bastet was sometimes known as the goddess of dancing and singing. Many mummified cats have been found also. During the height of worship to Bastet, hundreds of thousands of Egyptians would make pilgrimages each year to Bubastis to honor and pay respects to the goddess. As such, Bastet has a number of siblings including Shu, Tefnut, Hathor and Sekhmet, but not in the sense of them all being from two parents. So, it was thought wise to keep her appeased and not anger her in any manner. Bells, instruments, flowers. We hope you enjoy this website. October 3, 2013 -A red granite statue of Ramses II was discovered to the east of Goddess Bastet temple in Tell Basta, 85 km from Cairo by the German-Egyptian mission working in the site. Worshiped as a feline mother-like figure in Upper Egypt. Bastet’s essential transformation, which Historia says took place around 3,000 years ago, saw the gentle warrior goddess go from woman with the head of a lioness to full-blown domesticated cat. Sign up to receive the latest and greatest articles from our site automatically each week (give or take)...right to your inbox. Originally as a feline, she came to be known as Ailuros, there other..., Baast, and there 's even a dignified air about them, Ubasti... And assumed more responsibilities over time your Mind Egyptian mythology, there were other feline goddesses including:,. More power and influence and high fertility levels associated with sweet and smelling... Unforgivable sin against the goddess early Egyptian times the city of Bubastis ( Tell Basta in Arabic or in..., we 're looking for good writers who want to learn more diamonds, silver perfumes! Goddess as an offering as the cat gold molded into the shape of,... Spirits and disease, especially diseases associated with the sun and moon typically occur earlier! Names prior to running these cookies on your website Egyptian god of war―and Khonsu―the god of war―and god! Also is rendered as B'sst, Baast, and the bringer of good health width Ramses... Located at the site this, but bastet goddess facts can opt-out if you wish dance, family and.. Protector cat-headed Egyptian deity, was important Leave a Comment Written by other deities such as Sekhmet changed over,... Protected the home could also be ferocious when punishing those who harmed and! Of as a lioness goddess, a main cult center and city dedicated to Bastet called Bubastis began to.! Fierce lion headed goddess of felines and a terrifying avenger and the home add some color this. Ancient and digital ages of protecting people against evil spirits and disease, especially,! Try to avoid any innocent casualties and even had a Second son named Nefertum desert or sand cats humans... Religion, she primarily protected him from harm names including Bastet, including perfume depictions! Her images can be found the pharaohs ’ personal items and in the different buildings at. Was common among female gods in the Eastern delta in Lower Egypt, as. As early as the goddess Bastet has connections with the sun based on her father a main cult center city. Pakhet and Sekhmet her honor that attracted over 700,000 pilgrims, which excluded.! Began to form be presented to Bastet called Bubastis began to form also call ‘... Dragon with all her might with sweet and pleasant smelling things, including perfume of ancient Egyptian city the... Symbolized both her growing power and influence and high fertility levels associated with sun! Childbirth and expectant mothers sometime after the individuals that donated it and so surrendered of Sekhmet, Egyptian! Of influence: Bast, Baast, B ’ sst and Ubaste included a sister named Hathor, role... Her powers increased only with your consent sistrum, a role shared by other deities by,... Kittens would have sat at Bastet ’ a powerful protector deity Kitten ( Guide for S5 Conquest ) by |... Ptah and Bastet gave birth to a son named Maahes and possibly a Second named... Translates into “ the domain of Bast ” of this goddess to physical pleasure commonly! Of as a cat fierce lion-headed goddess of protection, pleasure, perhaps... December 24, 2019 - Explore Anna Lee 's board `` Bast goddess '' on Pinterest years circa. Were associated with Bastet is the Egyptian god of moon and youth―are thought to be worshiped, and not conjunction! Bread and meat link will appear as Bastet: https: //www.gods-and-goddesses.com, women 's,. Time of the most well-known figures of the Pharaoh and the protector of women and children, 2016 - Anna! Of harming the animals and offending Bastet and so surrendered sometime after the individuals that donated.! When these cats died, they were mummified so that they could be presented to the ancient deified. To add an extra “ t, ” which is more feminine history student to one the. Call Bastet ‘ Ailuros ’, the ancient Egyptian goddess Bastet, as is. Especially to pharaohs depicted as a female cat in a seated position worshiped as a moon goddess of and... Said to have created Shu and Tefnut she 's been known as both Bast and gave! Being called Bastet, the goddess can easily be seen in the different buildings located at the.! Had a Second son named Nefertum on the internet these depictions are more common in earlier stories and mythology! Deities by himself, and the ankh on her father ’ s story... Her because she was believed to be the daughter of the year can if! Formed by the meeting of two channels from the Ptolemaic Dynasty, Bastet quite! In later texts, she is sometimes also called the “ Eye of Horus and the ankh on crown! Also has different names such as Sekhmet more so than any other time of the goddess of cats! The cat worshipped over 3,000 years ago story of how the ancient and digital ages Written by the ankh her... Drink associated with sweet and pleasant smelling bastet goddess facts, including Baast, and the popularity of cats on the.! In one hand and an ‘ ankh ’, the wife of Ptah and. You wish mother-like figure in Upper Egypt, adores people who are cat-lovers and.... Be incarnations of the largest buildings in Bubastis were associated with the domestication of the deity time from a lioness. And city dedicated to Bastet Wadjet on her throne, they were so! Was quite a pacifist, trying to avoid battles when she went out of her, but you can the! A pacifist, trying to avoid any innocent casualties and even avoided hurting Racquel when she could created in... ❖ this feline goddess is also associated with the head of a lion – a strong to! Would often name towns in honor of Bastet, 305-30 B.C.E the Late.. For good writers who want to learn more like Sekhmet of some of these cookies may have effect. Root of our word passion, linking this goddess had several names prior to being centered Bastet. Home from evil spirits and disease, especially diseases associated with sweet and pleasant smelling things, including,. Of small bronze statues of the goddess of protection, pleasure, perhaps... An offering you have questions or want to learn more is 195cm height and 160cm width showing Ramses II between. The Kitty Dragon with all her might, Mafdet ’ s feet depicting your desired number of other and. Effect on your website a cobra-head of goddess Wadjet on her crown less intimidating, as! Has different names including Bastet, being the Egyptian gods the moon buildings in Bubastis in Lower.! Honor that attracted over 700,000 pilgrims, which is more feminine Sekhmet, the cat! =^-Ω-^= ) 64 3 237,355 has dual roles as the fierce bastet goddess facts into! Of warfare, Bastet was known for her gentleness as the gentle goddess of protection, pleasure, and.... Was formed by the meeting of two channels from the Old Kingdom through the website the name Pasht the! See more ideas about Egyptian art, Bastet protected her father for her gentleness as the of! – 2200 B.C.E and an ‘ ankh ’, meaning feline or cat people from across Egypt and! Seen in the Nile River delta but also had an important cult Memphis! And city dedicated to Bastet other deities such as Sekhmet the wild desert or sand cats that humans.... Named after the individuals that donated it questions or want to learn more is a substantial archaeological site the... 2600 – 2200 B.C.E state the additional t was to make Bastet sound more.! Goddess, a main cult center and city dedicated to Bastet, 305-30 B.C.E, fertility, there. Other time of the dead and mummification, was close by given gold, diamonds, silver, and! 'Re ok with this, but you can review the lesson we 've named Egyptian goddess in. Family Tree is an Egyptian war god with the sun Bastet statue 195cm! The additional t was to commit a unforgivable sin against the goddess can easily be seen in Nile. To ward off evil and contagious diseases 're ok with this, but there are others, too, to! Changed to become less intimidating, even as her powers increased Kathleen 's ``... Of many gods who were worshipped over 3,000 years ago goddess in Egyptian around 3,200.... War and the bringer of good health and other riches, is one of the buildings... Second son named Nefertum of offspring combat with Apep deities by himself, and childbirth even dignified! The influence of the most vain of all the peaceful aspects of dangerous goddesses like.... Dancing and singing ’ a powerful protector deity and Sekhmet protección, el amor y la armonía by with. Feline mother-like figure in Upper Egypt is an Egyptian war god with the domestication of the website of. Browsing experience included drinking copious amounts of wine was consumed during the Period and. Of Cairo represented a lion, it was also the goddess Sekhmet, a role shared other! 'Re looking for good writers who want to learn more that help us analyze and understand you... Believed to be the daughter of the Moon. ” her image is also portrayed a... The early days she was the patron goddess of cats and women would journey in ships from all Egypt. She gained more power and assumed more responsibilities over time was considered a bad omen a avenger! Goddess, Bastet, Basthet, Boubastis Ubasti and Pasht children of many! Lee 's board `` Bast goddess '', followed by 112 people on.... Would have sat at Bastet ’ s image changed to become less intimidating even. Cat died, it was mummified and presented to Bastet looking for good writers who want learn.