In which country are cats holy? - briefly
In ancient Egypt, cats were considered sacred and were revered as symbols of protection and divinity.
In which country are cats holy? - in detail
Cats are considered sacred in Egypt, a tradition deeply rooted in ancient Egyptian culture and religion. In ancient Egypt, cats were revered and associated with the goddess Bastet, who was depicted as a lioness or a woman with the head of a cat. Bastet was the goddess of home, fertility, and protection, and she was believed to bring good fortune and ward off evil spirits. The Egyptians held cats in such high regard that harming or killing a cat, even accidentally, was punishable by severe penalties, including death. Cats were often kept in households not only as pets but also as protectors of the home and its inhabitants. When a cat died, it was common for the family to mourn its passing and even mummify the animal to ensure its safe journey to the afterlife. Archaeological discoveries have revealed numerous cat mummies in ancient tombs, further emphasizing their sacred status. This reverence for cats extended beyond domestic life into religious practices, where they were seen as intermediaries between humans and the divine. Even today, the legacy of cats as sacred animals persists in Egyptian culture, reflecting the enduring influence of ancient traditions.