Post by chimera on Sept 14, 2016 7:20:34 GMT -6
In Ancient Egypt cats were known as Mau. About 4000 to 5000 years ago they were domesticated and accepted as members of the households in Egypt. Many of the breeds we now know have evolved from these ancient cats. The Egyptians were the first to keep and use cats to hunt fish and birds as well as to destroy the rodents that infested the grain stocks along the Nile. They were considered so valuable that the Ancient Egyptians protected them by law - the death penalty was imposed for killing cats - deliberately or not. They were revered as hunters and worshiped as gods. While there were many other feline goddesses worshiped by the Ancient Egyptians, Bast, also known as Basted, was the only one represented as a domestic cat. Cats were believed to be a manifestation of this goddess. Bast had many roles, including the goddess of protection, fertility, the moon, and also the protector of all cats. This sacred animal was so important to Egyptian society and religion, that after the cat's death, its body was mummified and buried in a special cemetery. The Egyptians also had strict laws prohibiting the export of cats. However, because cats were valued in other parts of the world for their rat-catching prowess, Phoenician traders often smuggled them out and sold them to the Mediterranean countries. Domestic cats were also found in India, China, and Japan where they were prized as pets as well as rodent catchers.
Other cultures had different views of cats. Some embraced them, others detested them. Although no longer worshiped as deities, cats were still honoured and appreciated for their mouse catching abilities no matter where they turned up. By the 11th Century, about the time the Crusades began, cats were in huge demand since the rats were beginning to overrun the cities. Domesticated cats could now be found as far as Scotland.
Domestic and wild cats were also sacred to the goddess in Celtic mythology and they were considered a potent totem animal of several clans. They believed that cats were guardians of the of the gates to the Otherworld, guardians of their treasures and also brought a wholeness to the people as a spiritual link between humans and the universe.
In Norse Mythology, cats are sacred to Freya, the goddess of love and beauty, one of the original fertility goddesses of the region. Freya is viewed as the protector of the weak, healer, granter of magic and source of love and peace. The chariot of Freya is drawn by two large cats, other cats were also associated with this kind and loving goddess. All cats were secret to Freya, and farmers would leave out precious milk for them, to ensure that she blessed their harvest. When a bride had good weather on her wedding day, people would remark, 'She has fed the cat well', meaning that she had kept the goddess of love on her side. And, if a cat appeared at the wedding it was a sign of a very happy marriage.
During the Middle Ages, the Christians, however, hated cats and attempted to kill them off. They associated cats with witchcraft and Satan, much like the feared black cat of Halloween, often seen riding with a witch on her broomstick. They were trying to establish Christianity as the only religion, and felt compelled to destroy all remnants of other cultures. The Church began what turned out to be a 1000 year killing spree of cats. When the cat population was depleted, diseased rats took over, and spread the plague. Since many people were sick and dying, the killing of cats stopped, and they were able to hunt the mice causing the plague. Shortly after the cats helped obliterate the plague, the Catholic Church placed blame on the cats, and once again persecuted them.
In my opinion…I don’t think cats have EVER forgotten that they were once worshipped as gods LOL!
Other cultures had different views of cats. Some embraced them, others detested them. Although no longer worshiped as deities, cats were still honoured and appreciated for their mouse catching abilities no matter where they turned up. By the 11th Century, about the time the Crusades began, cats were in huge demand since the rats were beginning to overrun the cities. Domesticated cats could now be found as far as Scotland.
Domestic and wild cats were also sacred to the goddess in Celtic mythology and they were considered a potent totem animal of several clans. They believed that cats were guardians of the of the gates to the Otherworld, guardians of their treasures and also brought a wholeness to the people as a spiritual link between humans and the universe.
In Norse Mythology, cats are sacred to Freya, the goddess of love and beauty, one of the original fertility goddesses of the region. Freya is viewed as the protector of the weak, healer, granter of magic and source of love and peace. The chariot of Freya is drawn by two large cats, other cats were also associated with this kind and loving goddess. All cats were secret to Freya, and farmers would leave out precious milk for them, to ensure that she blessed their harvest. When a bride had good weather on her wedding day, people would remark, 'She has fed the cat well', meaning that she had kept the goddess of love on her side. And, if a cat appeared at the wedding it was a sign of a very happy marriage.
During the Middle Ages, the Christians, however, hated cats and attempted to kill them off. They associated cats with witchcraft and Satan, much like the feared black cat of Halloween, often seen riding with a witch on her broomstick. They were trying to establish Christianity as the only religion, and felt compelled to destroy all remnants of other cultures. The Church began what turned out to be a 1000 year killing spree of cats. When the cat population was depleted, diseased rats took over, and spread the plague. Since many people were sick and dying, the killing of cats stopped, and they were able to hunt the mice causing the plague. Shortly after the cats helped obliterate the plague, the Catholic Church placed blame on the cats, and once again persecuted them.
In my opinion…I don’t think cats have EVER forgotten that they were once worshipped as gods LOL!