Cats have been adored, revered, and even worshiped for thousands of years. From sacred temple guardians to feline deities, these mysterious creatures have held a place of honor in cultures around the world. Some beliefs were surprisingly bizarre, shaping rituals and traditions in unexpected ways. Here are 10 strange facts about cat worship throughout history.
1. The Death Penalty for Killing a Cat
In ancient Egypt, killing a cat—even by accident—was a crime punishable by death. Egyptians believed cats were sacred and linked to the goddess Bastet, making them untouchable. Even Pharaohs respected this rule, and historical accounts tell of mobs attacking those who harmed a feline. This extreme devotion proves just how deeply ingrained cat worship was in their culture.
2. Festival of Bastet
Forget solemn rituals—Bubastis, the city of Bastet, held an annual festival that was more of a wild party than a religious event. Attended by thousands, it featured music, dancing, heavy drinking, and even risqué celebrations. Ancient accounts describe people sailing the Nile, drinking freely, and engaging in revelry, all in honor of the feline goddess.
3. The Bizarre Eyebrow Mourning Ritual
Losing a pet cat in ancient Egypt was no small matter. Families would shave off their eyebrows to signify grief, only resuming normal life once they had grown back. This unique mourning practice showed how emotionally attached Egyptians were to their feline companions, treating them with the same reverence as family members.
4. Cat Mummification
Cat worship in Egypt sparked an entire industry dedicated to feline mummification. Temples bred cats specifically for sacrificial offerings, wrapping them in linen and placing them in tombs as sacred relics. Archaeologists have uncovered millions of mummified cats, proving just how widespread this practice was. Some tombs contained so many that it was clear these felines were bred solely for religious purposes.
5. Cats Dressed in Gold and Jewels
Royal and noble families in Egypt adored their cats, treating them as pampered elites. These feline companions wore golden earrings and jeweled collars and even had servants to care for them. Inspired by the wealthy, commoners crafted cat-shaped jewelry to imitate the nobility. Being a cat in ancient Egypt truly meant living a life of luxury!
6. From Lion Goddess to Domestic Protector
Bastet wasn’t always the gentle, feline goddess we know today. She originally took the form of a fierce lioness, symbolizing war and power. Over time, as Egyptians increasingly valued domestic cats, Bastet’s image softened into a cat-headed goddess of home, fertility, and protection. This shift reflected how deeply cats became intertwined with everyday life.
7. The Word “Miu”—Cats Named After Their Own Sound
Ancient Egyptians called cats “miu” or “mau,” words that closely mimic the sound of a meow. This wasn’t just a coincidence—Egyptians saw a mystical connection between language and nature, believing their feline companions named themselves. The name “miu” was so widely accepted that it was used in royal inscriptions and common speech alike.
8. The Shocking Fate of Mummified Cats
Despite the deep reverence for cats, Victorian-era Britain had no problem turning them into fertilizer. In the 19th century, British traders shipped thousands of Egyptian mummified cats to be ground into powder and used as crop fertilizer. The irony? These once-sacred animals, worshipped for centuries, ended up enriching European farmlands.
9. Magical Symbols in Art and Amulets
Cats weren’t just household pets—they were powerful symbols of protection and magic. Ancient Egyptian artwork often depicted them alongside deities, and cat-shaped amulets were worn to bring good fortune. People believed cats had supernatural abilities to ward off evil, making them more than just beloved companions—they were guardians of the spiritual realm.
10. Persians Won a Battle Using Cats
In 525 BCE, the Persian army pulled off a brilliant strategy to defeat Egypt. Knowing how much Egyptians revered cats, the Persians released cats onto the battlefield at Pelusium. Rather than risk harming the sacred animals, the Egyptian soldiers surrendered, handing victory to Persia without a fight.
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