Bastet : The Cat Goddess

Bastet

Introduction

The goddess Bastet was an Egyptian deity worshipped in the form of both a cat and a lion. She was the daughter of Ra, and her ferocious nature was made tamer after the cat was domesticated around 1500 BCE. Bastet lived in the Nile River Delta city of Bubastis, but she also had a strong following in Memphis.

Large cemeteries containing mummified cats were established during the Ptolemaic and Late Late Ptolemaic periods. Thousands of bronze statues of the goddess were offered as offerings. Also, small figures of the cats were placed on protective amulets. These are believed to have been associated with the Bastet cult.

It was believed that she rode with her father Ra as he sailed through the sky. She would then protect him as his boat pulled the sun. At night, she would become a cat to defend Ra from the serpent Apep.

Physical Traits

As a woman, Bastet appears to be wearing a cat’s head costume. She is also carrying various objects, such as a drum instrument and a breastplate, which is usually connected to a lion’s head. Her left arm is covered in a small bag.

The Romans brought Bastet’s cult to Italy. Archaeological proof of this has been found in various locations, such as Pompeii and Ostia. In hieroglyphs, she was depicted as a cat-headed woman. She was also known to carry a sistrum and a jar, both of which were decorated with feline-themed motifs.

Although her image initially featured a lion, it eventually transitioned to a domestic cat. The change in the form of the goddess reflected the changing social conditions in Egypt. During this time, cats were prized for their rapacious nature and ferocity.

Family

The Eye of Ra depicted Bastet as Ra’s consort and daughter. With Ra, she had a son named Mahes, who was regarded as a lion god. Some believed that Bastet was the mother of Anubis, while others viewed her as Isis’ mother. The connection between Isis and the ancient Bastet dates back to when the jackal god was still in its early stages of development in Egypt.

Other names

In ancient Egypt, the goddess was known as Bast or Bastet. It’s believed that her earlier name was a combination of “Soul of Auset” and “Isis,” which is an alternative for “Bastet.” When priests would call her “Bastet,” they would use the letter “t” to indicate that the word should be pronounced correctly. The hieroglyphs for the jar holding the perfumes and ointments that she was carrying also imply that “Bastet” meant “she of the ointment jar.”

Powers and Abilities

She was regarded as a goddess of cats, the East, the sun, fire, love, intoxication, sex, magic, and fertility. She was also known for her fierce vengeance. She was protective of individuals and households against evil spirits, diseases, and pregnant women.

She was regarded as the mother of the Pharaoh and a divine nurse. Due to the name “Bastet” and the symbol of the jar holding the perfumes, she became known as a goddess of perfumes. She was also known to protect the people of Lower Egypt. According to the Egyptians, cats can help extinguish fires.

She was also referred to as the “eye Of Ra,” or the “eye Of Atum,” the Sun. She represented Ra’s feminine nature and was sent to avenge his enemies. This aspect of her was a distinct being from Ra, and she was regarded as his mother, wife, and sister.

Modern Day Influence

In various works by Neil Gaiman, including his American Gods and The Sandman, Bastet has been referenced. In Paul Gallico’s 1957 novel, Thomasina, Bastet was depicted as the main character, who was a cat called Bast-Ra. She was also featured in the film “The Three Lives Of Thomasina.”

In Patrick Rothfuss’ The King Killer Chronicles, Bastet appeared as a member of The Fae and featured feline features. She also appeared in “The Secret Lives of Nicholas,” which was released by Michael Scott.

As a playable character in MOBA Smite and Overwatch, she was also featured as a cosmetic skin for Ana. In Age of Mythology, she was a minor deity whose worship boosted the villager collection rate.