Egyptian culture is truly fascinating. However, despite their grandeur and relevance for the development of subsequent human civilizations, Egyptian rites were misunderstood and illogical for a long time, especially based on the role that animals played in their thought mechanism and belief system. This is the reason why in Supercurioso we want to talk to you about some of the sacred animals of Ancient EgyptDo you dare to meet them? Let’s go for it!
The sacred animals of Ancient Egypt: A central axis of its culture
As we mentioned in the introduction, Egyptian animals played a central role. All this due to the high zoological knowledge, coming from the observation of the natural environment and the abundant fauna that surrounded them. However, when animal behavior could not be understood or explained, the Egyptians transferred their knowledge about them to the divine realmconsidering that these were supernatural behaviors and linked to the Egyptian gods.
This was the way in which the sacred animals of Ancient Egypt were understood as receptacles of divinity. That is to say, that they by themselves were not sacred. However, there were some exceptions, such as the bull god Apiswhich was sacred in its own right.
On the other hand, it is worth noting that the Egyptians buried and mummified millions of animals, especially dogs (tesém, especially) and cats, for whom they felt true adoration. This ritual was performed as a sacrifice offered to the gods.
Mummification was also one of the big businesses in Egypt. In the Late Period, a large number of animal mummies were sold at the doors of the temples. Thus the devotees could acquire them and present them to the god. Even so, it can be said that there were also authentic scams in animal mummifications, such as the sale of mummieswhich were just a few bones covered in bandages, for example.
Sacred animals of Ancient Egypt, the most important!
As you already know, there were several sacred animals in Ancient Egypt, considered so because of their special characteristics. Next we will collect the particularities of each of them.
1. The serpent, the resurrection and the life
Without a doubt, this was one of the most important ancient Egyptian sacred animals. For the Egyptians, she became a symbol of resurrection and the beginning of a new life, so it was understood as a positive reference.
Within their species, special importance was given to the cobra. This is due to his relationship with Wadjet, the cobra goddess, who represented Lower Egypt and the fertile region.
2. The crocodile, the creator of the Nile
Its sacred condition was related to Sobek, the god who created the Nile River, so it was a symbol of life, fertility and vegetation. It was such an important animal for the Egyptians that many considered it honorary to die in its jaws.
3. The bull and fertility
As we mentioned earlier, the bull was one of the sacred animals of Ancient Egypt in its own right. This is because it was considered that the god Ptah-Osiris had reincarnated in the bull god Apis. To recognize it, the Egyptians selected for specific features such as black hair, a white triangle on the forehead, and bisected tail hairs.
The unique specimen was believed to have been engendered by a ray of sunlight fertilizing a cow.
4. The cat, harmony and happiness
The cat was tremendously popular and loved in Egypt and symbolized the goddess Bastetwhich was a reference to happiness and harmony.
5. The Jackal, the great Anubis
It has a fundamental role in Ancient Egypt. is the one guide souls to the afterlife and the great embalmer. This animal was associated with Anubis, who was the lord of the necropolis and the protector of embalming.
6. The ibis, special specimens
A sacred bird that to be considered as such had to have a neck without feathers and gray legs with shades.
It was one of the most sacred animals, in fact, the god inventor of writing and science (Thoth) He was represented as a man with the head of an ibis.
7. The falcon and its link to royalty
Another of the sacred animals of Ancient Egypt was the falcon. This animal was linked to the representation of royalty. So much so that the pharaoh was mentioned as the golden or living Horus, since the god Horus was represented with a human body and a falcon’s head.
8. The Lion, the strength
It is the animal of queens par excellence. In fact, many of them are represented with the body or face of a lion. Symbolizes strength. He guarded the passage of the sun and guaranteed cosmic order.
9. The fish, the rebirth
It was the symbol of regeneration and reproductive strength. In Ancient Egypt they were used to talk about the myth of Osiris, the God of resurrection.
10. The beetle, luck
He was associated with Jepri, the god of dawn, one of the representations of Ra. It was a symbol of Good luck in life and in the hereafter.
11. The Baboon
It was highly appreciated and it was very common to find them in houses. The shouting of him at sunrise was kind of I salute the God Ra. Furthermore, the Babi divinity was in the form of a baboon.
12. The Frog, fertility
It symbolized the Goddess Heket, the goddess of fertility. Before the Nile flooded thousands of frogs came out and this symbolized the emanation of life.
Some facts about the animals in Ancient Egypt, do not leave without knowing them!
We have already talked about the most important sacred animals of Ancient Egypt. However, the curiosities of Egypt and its culture continue to surprise us. Thus, we do not want you to leave without knowing some curious facts about the animals in this culture; with them you will better understand its relevance.
1. The different Egyptian animals could be pets, although some were considered incarnations of Gods.
2. Toward late times, the laws that punished to those who mistreated cats.
3. The ancient Egyptians felt genuine fear of certain animalssuch as hippos, crocodiles and reptiles in general.
4. The historian Herodotus who speaks to us in volume II of «stories», about the customs of Egypt, affirms: Sad of the Egyptian who kills any of these beasts on purpose! … And woe to the one who kills some ibiso, some hawk! Let him die for it!
5. The pig he was hated in Ancient Egypt, they were considered the reincarnation of evil because they could devastate any crop.
6. Pets in ancient Egypt were the dogs, cats and monkeys.
Does Egyptian culture still amaze you? U.S. too! Each fact about them is fascinating and when it comes to the sacred animals of Ancient Egypt, the curiosities and interesting facts do not stop.
Before you go, we would love to know your comments and opinions about it, so do not hesitate to leave them in our comments section, we read you! Also, don’t stop reading this article about Cleopatra’s tomb, ideal to continue investigating this ancient civilization.