Stories of mystical cats - especially the Egyptian cat - have been around for thousands of years. In the Middle East, these felines gained a lot of visibility because they were associated with luck and protection. Have you ever heard about how Egyptian cats were revered? All this love for cats started when the ancient Egyptians realized that cats could help fight infestations of cat diseases.The rodents were considered pests that destroyed grain and cereal crops and spread diseases to the population.

That's why the Egyptian people began to adopt felines as family members and soon after came to see them as true deities. Curious to know more? O Paws of the House unraveled this story and gathered all the information about cats, ancient Egypt, breeds and other curiosities. Just take a look below!

Egyptian cats were revered for many reasons

There is one fact in history that is undeniable about cats: ancient Egypt worshipped them as deities. The Egyptians believed that felines were magical beings and could bring good luck to their caretakers. Egyptian royalty fed the kitties treats and dressed them in the family's own jewelry.

When cats died, they were mummified just like the humans of the time. The adoration was such that as a token of mourning, the animals' guardians would shave off their eyebrows and mourn the cat's death until they grew back.

In addition, it is possible to observe that felines are present in various arts, sculptures, paintings and scriptures of the time. The cat of Egypt was such a special animal that those who killed them were sentenced to death, even in cases of accidents. This cultural characteristic of the Egyptian people cost them a historical defeat, which made their enemies use as a tactic the worship of cats in the Egyptian civilization.Egypt.

About 600 years BC, the Persian commander Cambyses II ordered his army to attack the Egyptian pyramids using cats as a shield in front of the troops. As a result, the Egyptian Empire ended up offering no resistance so as not to harm the sacred animals.

Cleopatra's cat has further increased the popularity of felines

It is believed that Cleopatra's cat was a cat of the Egyptian Mau breed. It is said that the cat accompanied the ruler everywhere, and soon became very popular. For those who do not know, the Egyptian Mau is well known because of its spotted-looking coat with silver, bronze or smoked tones. He is also admired for his kind, outgoing and playful personality. In addition, it is a catintelligent and easy to learn.

Who was the cat goddess of the ancient Egyptians?

In Egyptian mythology, many gods had the power to transform themselves into various animals. However, only goddess Bastet was able to become a cat. Today known as the cat goddess of the ancient Egyptians, Bastet represents fertility, pleasure, music, dance and domesticity. The feline deity certainly plays a role in the ancient Egyptians' adoration of cats.

The goddess was constantly depicted as a woman with a feline head, but on other occasions the cat of Egypt could also be seen without human attributes. To worship the goddess, the Egyptian people created a series of cemeteries of mummified domestic cats, which were often buried near their owners.

What is the symbolism of the cat in Egypt?

The Egyptians believed that cats were mystical creatures endowed with magic. They believed that felines brought protection and were a good luck charm for the family. Therefore, they treated cats as sacred animals - and this applies even to black cats.

Recently, a thread went viral on social media where users recorded their pets with a background music that referred to ancient Egypt. The funniest thing is to observe the reaction of the pets, who seem to recognize the music, as if it awakened a "memory." See below:

@beatrizriutooo to c fear véi #fypシ ♬ original sound

It is worth remembering, however, that there is no scientific proof of what actually happens to felines at these times. In fact, everything is just an internet joke.

Cat: Egypt also contributed to breed of modern domestic felines

All modern domestic cats are descended from the wild cats of the Orient. However, one breed in particular is known to be descended from an ancient Egyptian cat. The Egyptian Mau breed was born from two cats brought from Egypt. This kitty had its species improved in 1956 and was recognized by breeding institutions in 1968. But despite the recent crossbreeding, manypeople believe that the progenitor of this breed was the same cat adored by the ancient Egyptians. Because of this, many people know the Egyptian Mau with the popular name of "Cleopatra's cat".

On the other hand, the Sphynx, which is often called the Egyptian cat, is actually a Canadian cat! Despite the name, which refers to Egyptian sphinxes, the hairless cat breed was developed in 1966 in Canada, when a kitten gave birth to several hairless kittens because of a genetic mutation.