Egyptian Bastet Statue

Bastet in her half woman, half cat form.  Cold-cast resin, 3 1/4" tall.

The Egyptian cat goddess, Bast, had numerous areas of influence that developed over time. In the early days she was the fierce lion headed Goddess of the lower Nile who protected the Pharaoh and the sun God Ra. This is why she has the title of "Goddess of protection." In this role she became Goddess of the rising sun and holder of the Utchat, the all seeing eye of Horus. Statues of this Egyptian Goddess would be placed in households to protect them from thieves.

Later she was depicted with the head of a domestic cat, representing her more nurturing aspects. Woman of the time would buy amulets of this Goddess illustrated with different numbers of kittens, representing the number of children they wished to have. As a cat Goddess she also protected houses from rats and snakes and so ensured the health of the occupants.

The Goddess was linked to the music and dance due to the special rattle that she carried known as the Sistrum. These special rattles were used to celebrate her festivals.

She was connected with perfumes as she shares a hieroglyph with that which represented the bas jar. These were ceramic vessels used to hold expensive perfumes. Her son was also linked to perfumery.

A Patron Goddess of fire fighters due to the unusual Egyptian belief that if a cat ran through a burning household she would draw the flames out behind her.

Although her cult was centered in Bubastis She was worshipped throughout the whole of the lower Nile region. When her temple was excavated they found the mummified remains of over 300 000 cats.