Egyptian Cat Goddesses Names and the History of Cat Worship in Ancient Egypt

In ancient Egypt, cats were revered as sacred animals, and their worship was deeply intertwined with the country's rich spiritual heritage.

The Egyptians' affinity for cats can be attributed to their observation of the animal's independence and self-reliance, qualities they admired and sought to emulate.

One of the earliest recorded cat goddesses in Egyptian mythology is Bastet, often depicted as a woman with the head of a domestic cat.

Bastet was associated with fertility, motherhood, and protection, and her worship was widespread in ancient Egypt.

The Egyptians believed that cats possessed magical powers, which they believed could be harnessed for good or ill.

Ancient Egyptian Cat Worship was a complex phenomenon that involved both reverence and affection. The Egyptians didn't exactly worship cats, but rather saw them as sacred creatures and vessels of the gods.

Cats were highly regarded in ancient Egypt, and their popularity as pets dates back to the New Kingdom (1570-1069 BCE). They were often mummified and buried with their owners, and even had their own pet cemeteries.

The Egyptians associated cats with various goddesses, including Bastet, who was the daughter of Ra and Isis, and the consort of Ptah. Bastet was a fierce warrior goddess who protected the king and the sun god, Ra.

Here are some Egyptian cat goddess names that you might find fitting for your feline friend:

The ancient Egyptians didn't exactly worship cats as divine beings, but they did have a strong affection for them.

Cats were popular domestic pets from the New Kingdom (1570-1069 BCE) onwards, and people wanted to be buried with them to accompany them in the afterlife.

It's not hard to see why: tomb paintings of cats being cats are abundant, and it's clear the ancient Egyptians loved them.

Cats were viewed as the kin of Bastet, the ultimate Egyptian cat goddess, and were believed to be worthy of praise.

The Persian king Cambyses II even exploited the Egyptians' reverence for cats when conquering Egypt in 525 BCE.

He put cats in front of his army and had them painted on their shields, making harming his army an offense to the gods.

The natural death of a cat within a family would cause the household to go into mourning, with family members shaving off their eyebrows to show their grief.

A plethora of mummified cats has been found in tombs throughout Egypt, both royal and otherwise.

They were also given lavish burials in pet cemeteries, buried with jewels, pottery, and their favorite things in life.

Cats were highly respected in ancient Egyptian culture, venerated for their prowess as hunters and their ability to ward off evil spirits and diseases.

They were often mummified and buried with their owners, and were even believed to accompany their owners into the afterlife.

The Egyptian cat gods were often shown to have sun disks above their heads, highlighting their relationship with the sun itself.

This dual nature of the cat gods, like the sun, was seen as both nurturing and brutal.

Related reading: Egyptian Names for Male Dogs

Cats were highly revered in ancient Egyptian culture, but not exactly worshipped as divine beings. They were viewed as the kin of Bastet, the ultimate Egyptian cat goddess, who was believed to take the form of a cat on occasion.

Their domestication around 1570 BCE led to cats being popular pets, and many were mummified and buried with their owners, often with lavish burials and funerary goods. The natural death of a cat within a family would cause the household to go into mourning, with family members shaving off their eyebrows to show their grief.

Cats were associated with several Egyptian gods, including Bastet, Ra, and Sekhmet, who shared traits with cats such as nurturing, protection, and ferocity. The Persian king Cambyses II even exploited Egyptians' reverence for cats when conquering Egypt in 525 BCE, using cats as a symbol of the gods.

In fact, cats were so adored that the mourning period for a deceased cat would last until the family members' eyebrows grew back. This unique practice is recorded by the Greek historian Herodotus in 440 BCE.

Consider reading: Egyptian Dog Names

Here are some notable Egyptian cat gods and goddesses:

In ancient Egypt, cats were revered and referred to as Mau, the Egyptian word for cat. The Egyptians associated cats with various gods and goddesses, each with unique characteristics.

Bastet, the goddess of home, fertility, and protection, was often depicted as a cat or a lioness. She was the daughter of Ra, the sun god, and was associated with the Eye of Ra. Bastet was also a goddess of pregnancy and childbirth, possibly because of the fertility of the domestic cat.

The Egyptians believed that cats were the kin of Bastet, the ultimate Egyptian cat goddess. Bastet was believed to take the form of a cat on occasion, thus it must’ve meant that cats were special in some way. Therefore, ancient Egyptians believed that the cat and its characteristics were worthy of praise.

Here are some of the Egyptian cat gods and goddesses:

These gods and goddesses were often associated with the sun and the fertility of the land. The Egyptians believed that cats were sacred animals, and their association with these gods and goddesses reinforced their reverence for cats.

Worth a look: Egyptian Dog Gods Names

Cat mummies were a common find in ancient Egyptian tombs, both royal and otherwise. Archaeologists have discovered a plethora of mummified cats buried with their owners.

In fact, cats were so revered that they were often given lavish burials in pet cemeteries, complete with jewels, pottery, and their favorite things. This shows just how much Egyptians valued their feline friends.

The natural death of a cat within a family would cause the household to go into mourning, and family members would shave off their eyebrows to show their grief. This practice is recorded by Herodotus in 440 BCE.

Cats were also associated with protection and were often mummified and buried with their owners to ensure they could ward off evil spirits and diseases in the afterlife. This was a common practice in ancient Egyptian culture.

Choosing the perfect name for your cat can be a daunting task, especially if you're inspired by ancient Egyptian mythology. Cats were revered in ancient Egypt, and their names often reflected their association with the gods.

Egyptian cat names often drew from the characteristics of the gods, such as Bastet, the goddess of cats, who was associated with protection and nurturing. You can choose a name that reflects your cat's personality, like Bastet for a loyal and loving pet.

For a bright and energetic cat, consider names like Ra, the sun god, or Anuket, the goddess of the Nile. Anuket's name is associated with the Nile's life-giving waters, making it a great choice for a cat with a lively spirit.

If you're looking for a name that reflects your cat's appearance, consider names like Bast, the protective goddess, or Sekhmet, the lioness-headed goddess of war and healing. These names are inspired by the cat's physical characteristics and the mythology surrounding them.

Here are some Egyptian cat goddess names to consider:

Remember, the key to choosing the perfect name is to find one that resonates with you and your cat's unique personality.

In ancient Egypt, cats were not worshipped as divine beings, but rather as vessels of the gods, with their habits and behaviors mirroring those of feline deities.

Their reverence was so great that the Persian king Cambyses II exploited it when conquering Egypt in 525 BCE, using cats as a symbol of the gods' protection.

Cats were highly regarded in ancient Egypt, with a plethora of mummified cats found in tombs and pet cemeteries, often buried with jewels and their favorite things.

The natural death of a cat within a family would cause the household to go into mourning, with family members shaving off their eyebrows to show their grief.

The mourning period would end when the eyebrows grew back, a unique way to mourn the loss of a beloved pet.

Bastet, the Egyptian goddess of cats, was a woman associated with music, dance, and joy, with her temples often filled with dancers and musicians.

She was also a protector of the home, and was often mummified and buried with her owners, believed to accompany them into the afterlife.

Cats were venerated for their prowess as hunters and their ability to ward off evil spirits and diseases, making them a highly respected animal in ancient Egyptian culture.

Their significance in ancient Egyptian culture is a testament to the deep affection and reverence they held for these animals.

Choosing the perfect name for your cat is a fun and creative process. You can choose a meaningful name for your cat by exploring ancient Egyptian gods, pharaohs, symbols, and geography to reflect your cat's appearance, personality, and personal interests.

Ra, the sun god, is a great choice for a bright and energetic cat. A cat named Ra is sure to bring a little sunshine into your life.

Bastet, the goddess of cats, is a great choice for a loyal and loving pet. This name is perfect for a cat that loves to cuddle and be around its family.

The geography of ancient Egypt can also inspire great names for your cat. From the Nile River to the pyramids, there are many fascinating places to draw inspiration from.

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