Godess Bastet by Rikudompo on DeviantArt (original) (raw)

Bastet, also spelled Bast or Baast, is an ancient Egyptian goddess associated with protection, fertility, and the home. She was depicted as a lioness or as a woman with the head of a lioness. Bastet was considered a benevolent deity and was often associated with domesticity, joy, and the nurturing aspects of femininity.

In Egyptian mythology, Bastet was believed to be the daughter of the sun god Ra. She was a goddess of both lower and upper Egypt, and her cult center was in the city of Bubastis. The city was known for its lavish festivals dedicated to Bastet, where people would gather to celebrate and honor the goddess.

Bastet was associated with protection, and she was often invoked to safeguard against evil spirits and to ward off disease and misfortune. She was also seen as a guardian of the pharaoh, symbolizing his power and authority.

Over time, Bastet's image evolved from a lioness deity to a more domesticated cat goddess. Cats were highly revered in ancient Egypt and were seen as sacred animals associated with Bastet. As such, killing a cat, even accidentally, was considered a grave offense.

Bastet's worship continued for centuries, and her influence extended beyond Egypt. She was revered as a goddess of joy and protection, and her symbolism and representations varied throughout different periods of Egyptian history.

Made in pixai.art