The pantheon of the Egyptians contained numerous deities, but Bastet was given the primary position. She was portrayed to possess a cat-head, due to which Egyptians placed cats in a place of reverence. As decades passed by, her clothing underwent a constant change so that its portrayal also kept changing.
Initially, this goddess was portrayed as a dreadful lioness. But later on, as cats became likable animals and people began taming them, her portrayal changed to a woman having a cat-head, rather than the dreaded lioness.
The people built a temple called Bubastis in reverence of Bastet. Within this temple were many statues that were supposed to represent the cat headed goddess. It is by analyzing these statues that historians have been able to get an idea of the type of clothing that the deity was considered to wear.
A sculpted image of the goddess typically portrayed a young woman with a cat's head. Almost all of them are sculpted to portray the cat-headed aspect, while very few of them portray a lion or leopard.
The clothing of the deity was decorative with lots of stylish features added to make it intricate. A small purse carried by her adorned several of the sculpted images, whereas a few others portrayed her holding a musical instrument namely, the Sistrum in one of her arms whereas, she has a tender basket worn on the other arm.
The middle of her clothing consisted of a breastplate. A mythological belief mentioned that she had a liking for dancing and music; she was also wealthy and generous. The tiny basket worn on her arm was supposed to portray a plentiful harvest.
The reverence related to cats caused many living cats to adorn the temple dedicated to this goddess. Plenty of cat-bodies that have undergone mummification formed a major part of the archaeological discoveries in the temple of Bubastis. Tamed cats of Egyptian households were buried in Bubastis.
A bronze sculpture clothed in the regular style was supposed to be empowered to bring luck, and so a lot of Egyptians took possession of them. Many people offered these bronze sculptures within the temple. Therefore, numerous of them reaching to thousands have been discovered by archaeologists in the temple.
Cats attained a special place amongst the Egyptians on account of Bastet. There were special laws in place that protected cats. Anyone who would intentionally harm a cat was to be punished and similarly they had elaborate burial rituals for when a domesticated cat died in a family.
Initially, this goddess was portrayed as a dreadful lioness. But later on, as cats became likable animals and people began taming them, her portrayal changed to a woman having a cat-head, rather than the dreaded lioness.
The people built a temple called Bubastis in reverence of Bastet. Within this temple were many statues that were supposed to represent the cat headed goddess. It is by analyzing these statues that historians have been able to get an idea of the type of clothing that the deity was considered to wear.
A sculpted image of the goddess typically portrayed a young woman with a cat's head. Almost all of them are sculpted to portray the cat-headed aspect, while very few of them portray a lion or leopard.
The clothing of the deity was decorative with lots of stylish features added to make it intricate. A small purse carried by her adorned several of the sculpted images, whereas a few others portrayed her holding a musical instrument namely, the Sistrum in one of her arms whereas, she has a tender basket worn on the other arm.
The middle of her clothing consisted of a breastplate. A mythological belief mentioned that she had a liking for dancing and music; she was also wealthy and generous. The tiny basket worn on her arm was supposed to portray a plentiful harvest.
The reverence related to cats caused many living cats to adorn the temple dedicated to this goddess. Plenty of cat-bodies that have undergone mummification formed a major part of the archaeological discoveries in the temple of Bubastis. Tamed cats of Egyptian households were buried in Bubastis.
A bronze sculpture clothed in the regular style was supposed to be empowered to bring luck, and so a lot of Egyptians took possession of them. Many people offered these bronze sculptures within the temple. Therefore, numerous of them reaching to thousands have been discovered by archaeologists in the temple.
Cats attained a special place amongst the Egyptians on account of Bastet. There were special laws in place that protected cats. Anyone who would intentionally harm a cat was to be punished and similarly they had elaborate burial rituals for when a domesticated cat died in a family.
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