The captivating and often exotic aspects of ancient Egyptian religion are epitomized by the goddess Bastet. Her image frequently appears in museums, characterized by her as a seated cat adorned with various divine symbols, like a scarab on her head. In a poised yet watchful stance reminiscent of real felines, the enchanting Bastet embodies the enigmatic traditions of an age rich in spiritual beliefs.
Bastet: The Lioness and Cat
Bastet’s primary center of worship was Bubastis, a significant city situated in the southeastern region of the Nile Delta. However, the earliest references to her origins can be traced back to the galleries beneath the iconic step pyramid of Djoser at Saqqara, near Memphis. Archaeological discoveries from the 2nd dynasty (approximately 2800 BCE) reveal numerous stone vessel fragments from tombs, some inscribed with mentions of deities, including an early depiction of Bastet as a female with a lioness’s head, indicating the presence of priests and a potential cult site dedicated to her in Memphis. This suggests that Bastet may have initially served as a deity linked to the royal household, possibly deriving her name from the ointment jar b#s.t., aligning her with royal symbolism. Infusing the protective essence of a lioness with divine characteristics well-suited the ideologies of royalty.
The initial evidence of Bastet worship at Bubastis surfaces during the reign of Pepi I in the 6th dynasty (circa 2270 BCE). This evidence includes a beautifully adorned door lintel from Pepi I’s Ka-temple portraying both Bastet and Hathor, with Bastet shown as an anthropomorphic female crowned with a lioness’s head. Associated tomb stelas from the affluent cemetery of Bubastis confirm the existence of a temple and worshippers dedicated to Bastet by the conclusion of the Old Kingdom.
The migration of Bastet’s cult from Memphis to Bubastis remains somewhat enigmatic. One hypothesis posits that the pride of lions inhabiting the Delta’s marginal semi-deserts contributed to her rise. The area known as Wadi Tumilat, with its seasonal lake, would have served as a natural sanctuary for lions. The expansive Delta, abundant in cattle crucial for a burgeoning centralized rule, also became a prime hunting ground for lions, rendering opportunities for Egyptians to observe these majestic creatures, particularly lionesses, displaying their teamwork during hunts. Such observations likely fueled the reverence afforded to these powerful, intriguing animals.
The Dual Nature of Bastet
Until the later New Kingdom, Bastet is consistently represented as a lioness. Her later portrayal as a domestic cat emerged amidst subtle transformations in religious ideologies over the centuries. This duality—Bastet as both lioness and cat—often intertwines her identity with that of Sekhmet, another prominent lioness goddess. Earlier textual sources speak to this ambivalence; for instance, the “Loyalist teaching” from the 12th dynasty characterizes an ideal ruler as embodying Bastet’s protective nature while serving as a force like Sekhmet against transgressors.
As time progressed, this multifaceted portrayal of feline goddesses, particularly Bastet, evolved significantly. Cats began to symbolize a gentler, more approachable aspect of the goddess, transforming her image into something less menacing than a lioness. The Middle Kingdom notably marks the first instances of cats—albeit still retaining wild traits—being depicted as beloved pets in tomb art.
From the New Kingdom onward, Bastet’s worship gained remarkable traction, particularly in the 1st millennium BCE, extending beyond Egypt into the Mediterranean region. The temples dedicated to Bastet in Sakkara and Alexandria serve as evidence of this increasingly diverse worship.
The Festival of Bastet at Bubastis
About 450 BCE, Greek historian Herodotus chronicled the temple and the celebratory practices of Bastet, describing a grand festival marked by joyous festivities. He detailed the procession of boats filled with men and women journeying to Bubastis, accompanied by music, rattle instruments, and singing. Upon arrival, the participants engaged in exuberant celebrations, consuming vast quantities of wine and performing various raucous acts, drawing crowds from numerous cities along the river.
Scholarly interpretations often link the ecstatic nature of these festivities to feline fertility and behavior witnessed during mating seasons. Revelers seemed to channel this fertility theme into their own lives, engaging in boisterous expressions that defied societal norms. Such behavior during these fervent celebrations was believed to please the Egyptian deities, particularly lioness deities like Bastet and Sekhmet, as well as Mut and Hathor.
Bastet’s Role in Mythology
Lioness figures blend danger with an underlying nurturance, embodying a fierce protective nature. These deities were often associated with the sun god Ra, recognized as “Daughter of Ra” or “Eye of Ra.” The “Mythos of the Eye of Ra,” chronicled on demotic papyri from the 2nd century BCE, provides intriguing insights into these dynamics. The tale describes Ra’s daughter living as a powerful lioness in the scorching deserts, furious with her father, and invoking fear across the land. Ra sends the god Thot to navigate her return, a task requiring calm and joy to subdue the lioness. Thot approaches her with music, revelry, and sustenance—a narrative that resonates with the jubilant celebrations in honor of Bastet.
In Bubastis, these festivities typically culminated in a ceremonial rowing of Bastet’s sacred barge on the Isheru, a defining moment honored by thousands of pilgrims arriving annually to witness the goddess’s triumphant appearance.
Bastet’s rich narrative interweaves history, mythology, and the complexities of ancient worship, solidifying her as a key figure in the tapestry of Egyptian religion.
