Animal cults played a significant role in ancient Egyptian society, as they reflected the importance and diversity of the animals that inhabited the Nile Valley.
Ancient Egypt was a land of mystery and wonder, where the gods and goddesses were often depicted in animal forms or with animal attributes.
Animal cults were a way for ancient Egyptians to express their devotion and gratitude to the gods, and seek their favor and protection.
Animals were seen as symbols of the divine, acting as messengers between humans and the gods.
Ancient Egyptians hoped to gain access to the divine realm and its blessings by worshipping animals.
Divine Animal Cults
Divine animal cults focused on an animal that was thought to house the soul of a god during its lifetime.
The animal was revered until its death when it was mummified and buried with elaborate rituals.
The best-known example is the Apis Bull, the living manifestation of the god Ptah, who was worshipped at Memphis and buried at the Serapeum of Saqqara.
Other gods, such as Khnum, Bastet, Sobek, and Hathor, also had divine animals associated with them, usually rams, cats, crocodiles, and cows.
Divine animals were selected based on specific markings or features identifying them as sacred.
They were kept in temples or shrines where they received royal treatment, offerings, and prayers from devotees.
Votive Animal Cults
Votive animal cults involved mass production and burial of mummified animals.
Pilgrims then dedicated them at sacred sites as offerings to the gods.
These animals were not considered divine but intermediaries or representatives of the gods.
The most common votive animals were dogs, cats, ibises, and falcons, which were associated with Anubis, Bastet, Thoth, and Horus.
The animals were bred, sacrificed, mummified, and sold by priests or merchants who profited from the religious demand.
Pilgrims would then deposit the animal mummies in catacombs or pits near the temples or shrines of their chosen gods.
The Bubasteion at Saqqara was home to a massive necropolis of mummified cats, where the sacred feline goddess Bastet was worshipped.
Millions of such mummies have been found throughout Egypt, attesting to the popularity and scale of these cults.
Final Thoughts
Animal cults reflected ancient Egypt's natural environment and ecology, where animals played a vital role in agriculture, hunting, fishing, trade, and warfare.
Ancient Egyptians acknowledged their dependence on harmony with nature by honoring animals.
Animal cults contributed to the economy and culture of ancient Egypt as they generated a demand for animal breeding, mummification, trade, pilgrimage, and art.
Animal cults influenced ancient Egyptians' identity and values, reinforcing their connection to their ancestral traditions.
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