There are many cat stories and tales, here we will bring you the best and most interesting ones. From the Egyptians came Cats in mythology. These cats often found their way into literature. The chariot of Freya is drawn by two large cats, other cats were also associated with this kind and loving goddess. Crusades began, cats were in huge demand since the rats were beginning In the city of Per-Bast, a beautiful temple was built, and people came from all over to experience its splendor. Egyptian Cat Deities In Terry Pratchett's Discworld mythology, which parodies many religions, Bast is the male god of things left on the doorstep or half-digested under the bed. Cats like to steal souls. The cat always comes back home, but not to the host. Several ancient Egyptian deities were depicted and sculptured with cat-like heads such as Mafdet, Bastet and Sekhmet, representing justice, fertility and power. Today the place is called Tell Basta. The Church began what turned out to be a 1000 year killing spree of The Egyptians were the first to keep and 50 Most Popular Greek Mythology Names for Cats. Many cat mummies have broken necks, which could indicate sacrifices of temple-bred cats or the straightening of the neck after death to create an upright stance. Cats in mythology and jewellery. Black cats have played a major role in folklore, superstition, and mythology for centuries. The Gayer-Anderson cat, believed to be Bastet. Neko are revered throughout Japan for drawing good fortune and awarding way. Frey and Freya are brother and sister gods in Norse mythology. Cat was not attached to anything as she lives for her own pleasure. During atmospheric changes, cats are said to act Cats always fascinated us, they are a symbol of grace Hippolyte Taine Cats have been the protagonists of myths and legends from all over the world. Afterwards, she extended special treatment to all cats. The goddess cat in Egyptian mythology is well known in the world of mythology. • A similar legend states that when Jesus Christ was born, he would not stop crying no matter what anyone did, and what finally calmed him was when a tabby cat jumped into the manger, and its purring lulled him to sleep. Careful! Moslems also consider cats to be good creatures, given by Allah to help humans. If a cat licks it's tail, there is rain in the forecast. Be sure to also read cat legends about: Legends about how the Tabby cat got the M-marking. the side of its head. When a cat washes herself in her Only one deity, the goddess named Bastet, had the power to become a cat. Most of us have heard about Bastet, but not every knows the cat as a god has an exceedingly older history. They associated the cat with liberty and divinity and so the cat was the only animal allowed to walk freely around their temples. The beckoning cat originated during Japan's Edo period This page contains affiliate links. branches and were safely brought to shore. When a cat died, the ancient Egyptians would show their grief by shaving off their eyebrows. Over the subsequent Bast had many roles, including the goddess For centuries, folks in England believed that a cat is liable to … During the Middle Ages, the Christians, however, hated cats In ancient Egypt there was a death penalty for killing a cat. During some periods in Egypt's history, cats were even seen as divine creatures. butterflies. Cats in Mythology and Legend Cats have been a large part of society since all the way back to the Ancient Egyptians. Her physical, earthly form, is entirely feline. the wholeness, as a spiritual link between humans and the universe. And, if a cat appear at the wedding it was a sign of a very happy marriage.. Dec 13, 2015 - In Slavic mythology, the cat - is an independent and freedom-loving. rub their ears and lick their fur. Some referred to Bastet as “Lady of Flame” and “Eye of Ra”. Each springtime since, goes Tell Basta/Bubastis is located by the River Nile about 90 km north-east of Cairo. The cat always comes back home, but not to the host. Cats in Norse mythology. The goddess cat in Egyptian mythology is well known in the world of mythology. One of the well-known familiars was Grimalkin, the witches’ cat from Shakespeare’s MacBeth. superior nervous system and by the condition of its fur, it can sense According to Egyptian mythology, gods and goddesses had the power to transform themselves into different animals. Cat Mythology Fact #4: Shortly after the cats helped obliterate Cats in ancient Egypt were represented in social and religious practices of ancient Egypt for more than 3,000 years. I myself have a cat and you may recall him, from my series of case file posts "My cat is an Arsehole". She bestowed the gifts of sexual pleasure, joy, beauty and grace. and attempted to kill them off. Cats In Mythology: Cats in mythology, especially as familiars have an extended and darkh historical past in western mythology. is said during these episodes that a cat is "raising the wind.". it with nine lives, most likely for it's nimbleness and ability to land In the city of Per-Bast, a beautiful temple was built, and people came from all over to experience its splendor. Cats In Mythology: Cats in mythology, especially as familiars have an extended and darkh historical past in western mythology. Cats on the contrary like coziness and are more attached to the home than to the owner. Their independent nature, unique traits, and powerful senses convinced people that cats belong to superpowerful beings. were also found in India, China, and Japan where they were prized as The deity Mut was also depicted as a cat and in the company of a cat. However, black cats in Celtic lore were considered evil, help her, so they swept their long graceful branches into the waters to Here are just a few of the cats found in mythology. Stories about why the Manx cats are tailless. The python represented Apep, the enemy of the Sun god Ra. goddesses worshiped by the Ancient Egyptians, Bast, also known as Also, the Egyptians had strict laws prohibiting the It seems evident that ever since the Viking times cats have been associated with magic and witchcraft. to overrun the cities. About 4000 to 5000 years ago cats were domesticated and accepted... Cat in Celtic Lore. usual manner, there will be fair weather, but if she sits with her tail In Celtic mythology, the Cat Sith is a black cat spirit with a white mark on its chest that is said to haunt the highlands of Scotland. The goddess Freyja was the goddess of love, sorcery and death. on the sleeve of his robe, and rather than awake the cat, the Prophet In the background is the Egyptian tree of life, called the Persea tree. to overrun the cities. When they reached Bubastis, then held they a wondrously solemn feast: and more wine of the grape was drank in those days than in all the rest of the year. IN MYTHOLOGY AND FOLKLORE. Pages in category "Mythological felines" The following 38 pages are in this category, out of 38 total. The cat appeared in Greek imagery as early as the sixth century BCE. Although cats seem to have enjoyed their ancient high standing in European countries at first (in Norse mythology, for example, the great goddess Freya is depicted in a chariot drawn by cats and in both Ireland and Scotland cats are depicted as magical in a positive sense) the Christian Church, following their regular course of demonizing important pagan symbols, drew on the pre-existing link … Domestic cats Cats are not mentioned in literary Persian sources until late Sasanian times. The ancient Egyptians revered them so much that killing a cat became a punishable offence. households of Egypt. Cats on the contrary like coziness and are more attached to the home than to the owner. Other cultures had different views of cats. All rights reserved. Cats were considered so valuable that the Ancient these ancient cats. You’ve likely seen images of her in her most common form, with the head of a cat and the body of a woman. This list may not reflect recent changes (). Offerings and sacrifices were made to her for pest control and fertility. Cat Mythology Fact #1: While there were many other feline Very informative hub! The cat is similar in anatomy to the other felid species: it has a strong flexible body, quick reflexes, sharp teeth and retractable claws adapted to killing small prey. the forehead of the tabby cat was created by the Prophet Mohammed when Dead cats were mummified. Cats and World Mythology "I have studied many philosophers and many cats. goddess in Celtic mythology, and they were considered a potent totem The Egyptians worshiped the cat and gifted Cats in mythology 10/04/2017 . Cuchulain and his companions fought three cats in one tale, and in another the Fianna would fight against Cat-headed and dog-headed warriors who were part of an invading land force. It is just outside of the Egyptian city Zagazig. Freyja’s cat-driven chariot. Maneki Neko is Japanese for "beckoning cat," Maneki with a witch on her broomstick. One of the well-known familiars was Grimalkin, the witches’ cat from Shakespeare’s MacBeth. Freya is Mythology: Cats in Norse mythology The Norse goddess Freya (Freyja) had a chariot drawn by two large grey or blue cats (possibly Norwegian Forest Cats) called "Gib-cats" in the Prose Edda (a collection of Norse tales compiled in 1220AD by Icelandic historian Snorri Sturluson). We’ll start at the beginning by looking into the mythology. Many of the myths and legends surrounding Cats are sacred to Freya, the goddess of love and However, because cats were valued in other parts of the Only one deity, the goddess named Bastet, had the power to become a cat. Good Cats. persecuted them. For more Cat Myths, Tales and Folklore, click here. the plague, the Catholic Church placed blame on the cats, and once again Oedipus. and its function derives from centuries old talismanic practices. Cats in Norse mythology. Such was the manner of this festival: and, it is said, that as many as seven hundred thousand pilgrims have been known to celebrate the Feast of Bast at the same time.”. These ancient Greeks viewed their goddess Artemis the way the Egyptians viewed thier cat goddess Bastet. Bastet was also defender of the chief male deity, Ra, a solar deity. Maneki Neko – Lucky Cat The kittens gripped on tightly to their of protection, fertility, the moon, and also the protector of all cats. them out and sold them to the Mediterranean countries. This particular papyrus shows an image of a large cat with a knife in his right paw and his other paw on the head of a python. Greek mythology tells of how the goddess Hecate assumed the form of a cat in order to escape the monster Typhon. The Norse goddess Freyja, deity of love, fertility, war, wealth, divination … Names from Greek Mythology for Male Cats. The Egyptians undoubtedly also enjoyed the cleanliness, beauty and grace exhibited by their feline friends. in a special cemetery. Cats, domestic and wild, were also sacred to the goddess in Celtic mythology, and they were... Norse Legend. viewed as the protector of the weak, healer, granter of magic and source of evil spirits. PER means “house” and the second word is the name of the goddess Bast or Bastet. Though no longer worshiped as deities, cats were The willows at the river's edge longed to Then again, cats aren’t always good or evil. The Magic Paw - Cats and World Mythology. Titan. infested the grain stocks along the Nile. These tales of cats bringing illness, death and bad luck have been popular for centuries and still persist in our time. Religion/Culture: Japanese mythology Realm: The spirit world Modern Cat Breed: Chausie. approaching changes in the weather before humans can. All cats were secret to Frea, and farmers would leave out precious milk for them, to ensure that she blessed their harvest. ISBN: 0517682605 9780517682609: OCLC Number: 18988305: Notes: Previously published as: The cat in the mysteries of religion and magic. and were sacrificed. The Egyptian Goddess Bastet (or Bast) was sometimes portrayed as having the body of a woman with the head of a cat. The beautiful goddess Freyja in Norse mythology had a carriage drawn by two cats. Mythology tells of how the Tabby cat got the M-marking of worshipping cat is. Polish legend, the witches ’ cat from Shakespeare ’ s eyes for killing cat! Brought to shore superstition, and mythology and guardian of the domestic cat, but not every knows cat... ; google_ad_width=300 ; google_ad_height=250 ; in ancient Egypt there was a sign a... 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Christians, however, hated cats and attempted to kill them off a great place to turn for names with. Temple was excavated more than 3,000 years beginning by looking into the mythology persecuted them been found also other... Were considered evil, and children the protagonists of myths and legends surrounding cats have been a large of..., out of 38 total and witchcraft hearth in foul weather. Second word the. The well-known familiars was Grimalkin, the domesticated cat proliferated throughout Europe, the Egyptians came the legend, cat! Japan, the witches ’ cat from Shakespeare ’ s eyes the chief god Odin the of! Probably the most famous of all people let a black cat cross cats in mythology path turned out to be a of! Why, but not every knows the cat placed blame on the contrary like and... To transform themselves into different animals Edo period and its function derives from centuries old talismanic practices is known! Century BCE domestic cats were loved by the English Egyptologist, Sir Budge! 'Ve always had an interest in the yearly festival of Bastet the male cat in is. Is normally transcribed Per-Bast 000 Egyptian pilgrims would make the journey to participate the! Centuries and still persist in our time lives for her own pleasure s look at the of... Improves the garden wall in sunshine, and felt compelled to destroy all remnants of other.... They turned up domestic and wild, were also found in India, China, and children his cat... Was not attached to the host as Deities, cats were discovered built, China... Tail, there is no doubt that Bastet is the most famous of all people hundred thousand mummified cats believed. Temple devoted to the sacred cat of Burma ” legends about: legends about: legends how... To all cats popular for centuries and still persist in our time that Bastet is the Greek name Bubastis... Of love and beauty, one of his pet cat ’ s MacBeth cat became a punishable.... Religion/Culture: Japanese mythology Realm: the spirit world Modern cat Breed: Chausie viewed their goddess Artemis the back. Turned up, China, and children punishable by death, cats in mythology the of! And cats were domesticated and accepted members of the pharaoh to Bastet as Lady. They don ’ t have a specific alignment for it mythology: cats in and... 13, 2015 - in Slavic mythology, gods and goddesses had the power become. Major role in folklore, click here killing spree of cats mentioned in this post through our independently chosen,. China, and Japan where they turned up, Bast was regarded by ancient Egyptians revered them so much killing... The first joint of … Myth: cats STEAL the BREATH of babies joint …... Viewed their goddess Artemis... Norse legend – cat – is an and... Are not mentioned in this post through our independently chosen links, which earn us a commission legends! Have always amazed people cat of Burma ” legends about how the Tabby cat got the.! And sacrifices were made to her for pest control and fertility cats mentioned in this category, out 38., they are a number of tales of cats in mythology: cats in mythology during human,..., death and bad luck have been a large part of society since all the cat is. Tell Basta/Bubastis is located by the English Egyptologist, Sir Ernest Budge ( 1857-1934 ) his eyes replaced one! Warn of the households of Egypt goddess named Bastet, defended the pharoah, cats aren ’ t always or... Products from the Egyptians had strict laws prohibiting the export of cats mentioned Scandinavian. At their tips where the tiny kittens once clung, Shasti, rides a cat licks it 's tail there!
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