's no novelty is the fact that the history of Ancient Egypt is quite exciting in its content.A huge number of various gods and goddesses have always attracted the attention of curious people.In this article I want to talk about exactly who this goddess Bastet, for whom she was a patron, and when she turned for help people.
On behalf
The first step is to make a first impression of this goddess.So, at the very beginning is to say that Bast and Bastet - two named one deity, you can call it so, and so.By its nature it is - the daughter of darkness and light, is the embodiment of femininity, beauty and wisdom.Some bellicosity and ferocity of the image that emerged for the first time, Egyptians brought awareness to a more pleasant heat, home, motherhood, fertility, and the body's defenses.
About family
According to different versions, the goddess Bastet and was the daughter of the god Ra (the Eye of him) and his wife.You can find information about that Bast was the daughter of Isis and Osiris.According to other sources, the husband could be Bastet god Bes - the patron of the elderly and children, bringing good luck and joy.It is important to say also that the embodiment of the union of the gods Ra and Bastet was the god Mahes - a fierce god of war and borax, which is depicted with a lion's head (it was crowned with two crowns of Egypt).
Image
Very interesting is and how well depicted the goddess Bastet.This is a woman or Cat Form, or with a cat's head.However, in ancient Egypt did not find the image of tame, domestic cats.They were portrayed as the only wild animals, such as a cat of Heliopolis.And only in the II century AD, the animal permanently reunited with humans and domesticated.From that hour cats universally revered, loved and guarded them.After the death of these animals embalmed, sometimes even deified.It seems interesting, and the fact that the cat is considered a sacred animal of the god of the sun.The cats saw its realization, and the eyes of these animals, according to the Egyptians, the radiating sunlight.
Patron
So, whom the Egyptian goddess Bastet guarded who brings good luck, who can access it in the event of certain problems?So, there are many versions.First of all, it is the patroness of all women, because she - a female cat.Comes to her with a variety of issues, including when the lady could not get pregnant.It is the goddess of childbirth and fertility in all its manifestations.Bastet also considered the protector of the home, she brought into the house of fun, love and joy.It is this goddess worshiped and doctors of those times.They are painted on buildings throughout its image - in the form of a black cat, in order to save the patient from death, and to more rapid recovery.But despite all this, the goddess Bastet also has its dark side.Still, she - the daughter of darkness, and sometimes it is portrayed with a lion's head, angrily looking forward, and had a second name - Pashto, Pashto-goddess Bastet.
About beauty
As in all ages, women are looking for ways to maintain their youth.And in doing so, they helped the great Egyptian goddess Bastet.Priests have created a certain amount of exercise for women who, in their opinion, had to stop the withering of beauty ladies.During their performance it was believed that a woman infuses the spirit of Bastet, which prompted her grace, flexibility and hidden fortitude.After these sessions Egyptians believed that they will long remain attractive and young.
The cult of the goddess: the beginning
When the Egyptians began to be widely read Bastet?It happened in ancient Egypt, when in most cases, this deity is depicted with a lion's head (in the likeness of the goddess Sekhmet), and was considered the mother of the god of war and storms Mahesa.During the celebration of the goddess was forbidden to hunt lions, because it was believed that on this day, these animals are sacred, because they inspire the spirit of Bastet.But over time, her features Stavan softer and softer and feminine appearance.And over time, this has become the patron goddess of the hearth, women and childbirth, joy and fun.
The cult of the goddess: the rise
most revered goddess Bastet was the cat in times of prosperity of the Middle Kingdom, when the ancient inhabitants of Egypt finally learned how to grow corn and smart enough to keep it for the future, in order to avoid starvation.It is not hard to guess why this time special attention was given to the goddess Bastet.
That's because the main enemy of the grain - the mouse and the cat goddess after all.At the same time it is the beginning of a deity associated with the wealth of the country and widely read.The center of worship of the goddess was the city of Bubastis, who was located in Lower Egypt.It was there that was built the largest and the main temple of Bastet, who was surrounded by a large Moore and decorated with beautiful bas-reliefs.In the middle was the biggest statue of her, to which every day a huge number of pilgrims came, bringing a gift small statues of cats, hoping for her favor and kindness.
It is said that this temple lived a huge number of cats, his foot was located the cemetery and sacred of these animals.Like the Pharaohs to mummify cats have learned, they were placed in a specially prepared for their coffins and buried with full honors.Today, the temple destroyed by leaving only ruins.However, everyone who visited Bubastis say that even from the debris blowing force and the former grandeur and beauty.
Holiday Bastet
It is said that worshiped Bastet - the goddess of ancient Egypt - seven times a year.At this time in the temple gathered a huge number of pilgrims who came to worship the goddess.Read various prayers were sung special songs, sacrifices.
interesting is the veneration of the goddess of spring.So, at this time it was carried out of the temple statue was placed in a large boat and rolled along the Nile River.This was done primarily to ensure that the goddess has kept the river from the destructive to the Egyptians it spill.
about cats
It should be said that the statue of the goddess Bastet was sure almost every home of the Egyptians.She was considered a powerful amulet and protector of the home.In addition, it was considered a good sign if the family lived a live cat.It is said that it was the most important member of the family, and sometimes even more important and the main thing was the baby.Cat always fed before the hosts sit at the table, she slept in a special place for it, or even a room that must have been decorated.
particularly important event was when the cat died.It was a great grief to the family.Her mummified by all the rules, were buried with great honors in the sarcophagus put food to the cat in the other world did not starve, and mouse to it there was not boring.For a long time after the death of the animal owners still mourned the loss of wearing mourning clothes.It should be said that killing a cat was considered a great sin, and punished according to the law of death.One could also remove the cats from the country, but it is everywhere merchants did this by creating a ritual of honor (thanks to this cat spread all over the world).However, according to the love of animals played a cruel joke with the Egyptians during the war with the Persians.The fact that the Persian king was aware of such a love of the Egyptians, and ordered his soldiers to bind to each shield at the cat.The soldiers simply did not dare to shoot the sacred animals, and were captured by the enemy without any problems.
The cult of the goddess: wilting
After the Roman came to power, the Egyptian cat goddess Bastet was worshiped, less and less, and in 390, her cult did was prohibited by law.Over time, interest and respect for this animal subsided, the cats were kept in houses just like hunting for snakes and mice, which at that time was still quite a lot.However, even less lucky cat that came to Europe.For their love for a walk at night and glow in the dark eyes of the Catholic Church declared them to the devil.Especially grievous fate of black cats, which are so revered in ancient Egypt, they were considered witches and assistants repositories souls of their deceased sister.Cats were killed, tortured, mocked at them in every way.However, once it came to the Renaissance, these animals finally left alone, and the interest in it died down considerably.Today, the cats do not have any negative attitudes, but yet they still nobody worships.These animals, as well as before, live next to the people associated with them a lot of different superstitions, to which people are still out of habit are cautiously.But who knows, maybe the time will come again, and cats are read as before, praising them for a certain pedestal.
