Cats have been revered as holy creatures in various cultures and religions around the world throughout history. In some places, cats are seen as sacred animals, while in others they are worshipped as deities. There are a variety of reasons why cats have been venerated, including their mysterious nature, special abilities, association with gods/goddesses, and symbolic meaning. Understanding where cats are considered holy can provide insight into different cultural and spiritual beliefs about these beloved felines.
Ancient Egypt
One of the most well-known examples of the cat’s holy status is in ancient Egypt. Cats were first domesticated in ancient Egypt around 4,000 years ago and soon came to be highly valued as pets, hunters of vermin, and even as protectors against evil spirits. Over time, the Egyptians began worshipping cats as incarnations of their cat-headed goddess Bastet. She was the goddess of protection, fertility, motherhood, and women’s secrets. As such, cats became associated with many of the same qualities.
Eventually, cats were considered sacred animals in ancient Egypt, so much so that the punishment for killing a cat was death. When a family cat died, the cat owners would go into a period of mourning and shave their eyebrows to represent their sadness. The deceased cat would be mummified and buried in an elaborate cat cemetery, allowing it to join the cat goddess Bastet in the afterlife. The Egyptians even had a Festival of Bastet celebrated annually where people would decorate their cats with jewelry and fed them treats.
Reasons for Veneration
There were a few key reasons cats were so revered by the ancient Egyptians:
- Their mysterious independence and secretive nature were similar to that of the goddess Bastet.
- Their swiftness and dexterity at hunting mice and rats helped control the spread of disease and protect grain supplies.
- Their excellent night vision provided security against thieves and destructive animals in the darkness.
- They symbolized fertility and motherhood.
- They were associated with the sun god Ra and his protection against the evil serpent Apep because of their defensive posture and vicious claws.
Because cats were so beloved and valued in every aspect of Egyptian society, it solidified their status as divinely holy creatures.
Norse Mythology
In Norse mythology, the cat is closely linked with the goddess Freya. She was the goddess of love, beauty, war, and death. Riding in a chariot pulled by two gray cats, Freya would travel to oversee battles and claim the souls of fallen warriors. Cats were symbolic of Freya’s sensitivity but also her fierceness in battle. Freya was known for being able to shapeshift into a cat herself.
The Norse believed that a new goddess of fertility and love was born with each new litter of kittens. Kittens were thus treated very well—given food, shelter, and care like little gods and goddesses. Harming or killing cats was considered extremely taboo. Some Viking clans were even said to have “killed cats only once a year” as a ritual animal sacrifice to the goddess Freya.
Bastet Cat Statues and Figurines
Since cats were so revered by Freya, owning cat statuettes and figurines became common in Norse communities. These statuettes were believed to provide the owner with blessings, fertility, and prosperity from Freya. The presence of a cat in the home was thought to bring good luck as well. Despite Freya’s association with warfare, cats were primarily symbols of love, fertility, beauty, and femininity in Norse culture.
Hinduism
In the Hindu religion, the cat is associated with several major deities who are depicted holding or sitting with cats. The goddess Shashthi is often pictured with upraised claws and piercing eyes like a cat, riding a cat or nursing kittens. She is the protector of children and the deity of vegetation and reproduction, so cats symbolized maternal care and fertility.
The cat goddess Sasthti protects against malevolent spirits, disease, and misfortune. Owning a cat in Hindu communities thus provides protection by acting as a guardian. The goddess Durga rides upon a tiger, so her connection with large cats again symbolizes power and security.
Perhaps the most well-known is the cat goddess Sasthi, who commonly takes the form of a cat. Sasthi was married to Surya the sun deity and ensured plentiful crops and food. She is benign and a protector of children. When pictured with her kittens, Sasthi represented fertility and motherhood.
Revering Cats
With these associations to various Hindu deities, cats have become revered in Hinduism. Mistreating or harming a cat is considered extremely unlucky. Many orthodox Hindus thus avoid hitting cats, yelling at cats, or disturbing cats that are eating or nursing. Cats are considered holy beings that should be cared for.
Islam
In the Islamic faith, cats are admired for their cleanliness and self-grooming habits. In fact, the prophet Muhammad had great fondness for cats and reportedly loved being around them. There is a well-known story of Muhammad cutting off his sleeve to avoid disturbing his sleeping cat when it was time for prayers. This demonstrates his consideration for cats.
Muhammad reportedly said that a woman who locked up her cat, leaving it unable to feed itself or move about, would earn Allah’s punishment. He said Allah would not even look upon such a woman on Judgement Day. This underscores the importance of treating cats humanely and with compassion.
As a result of Muhammad’s relationship with cats, many Muslims today admire cats as clean, good-natured creatures. Although dogs tend to be viewed negatively in Muslim cultures, cats do not carry the same stigma. They are welcomed into homes and mosques to help control rodents and pests.
Cats in Mosques
Cats have even been given special status in some mosques. The Hagia Sophia Grand Mosque in Istanbul has been home to cats for hundreds of years, and the felines get free reign of the historic house of worship. They are fed, looked after, and exempted from many of the regular rules of handling animals in sacred spaces.
Cats in Christianity
While less defined than other religions, cats have played a role in Christianity too. Some well-known biblical stories feature Ophir cats, including the prophet Muhammad’s favorite cat Muezza. In western Christianity, the prophet Muhammad’s fondness for cats promoted their domesticity.
Cats came to be appreciated for their mousers, their affection for their owners, and companionable nature. They were not necessarily associated with any particular Christian doctrine, but became admired nonetheless.
However in some pockets, cats were viewed with suspicion due to their more secretive nature being at odds with the values of openness and truth. Their independence was also seen as sign of resistance to morality. But more commonly, Christians appreciated cats for their vermin hunting abilities and playful personalities.
Saint Gertrude and the Bobcat
One well-known Christian legend starring a cat is that of Saint Gertrude the Great. Known as the patron saint of cats, Gertrude was said to have been guarded by a ferocious bobcat. The bobcat protected her and guided her home after she fled danger. She thus kept the wild cat as a pet in return, symbolizing redemption through love. The story promoted more positive perceptions of cats as companions.
Judaism
There are also a few connections between cats and Judaism. In biblical times, cats were kept by Hebrew families and welcomed into homes to control rodents. The prophet Baruch was said to be working in his cellar when his cat brushed up against a barrel, causing it to break. The broken barrel saved Baruch’s life by alerting him to a dangerous oil spill.
This story promoted the idea of cats as protectors and guardians. Hebrew texts also indicated cats helped protect grain stores from being eaten by pests. So although they were not worshipped, they played an active role in Hebrew communities.
Cats in the Torah
In the Torah, it indicated that a town should be considered holy and inviolable if mice and cats live there together in peace. The cat was thus seen as a sacred creature in Judaism for its abilities to control pests. Their presence contributed to a town’s sanctity and good fortune.
However, cats were also associated with negativity and evil in some texts. The demon princess Lilith was said to stalk the world in the form of a black cat who would prey upon children. But in general, cats were accepted as helpful creatures to be cared for.
Cats in Literature and Popular Culture
The sacred standing of cats has also made its way into worldwide literature and pop culture over time. In many fictional books, movies, TV shows, and cartoons, cats are depicted as otherworldly creatures or as magical beings.
For example:
- In Harry Potter, cat familiars help aide witches and wizards with magical spells and act as companions.
- In ancient Japanese folklore, there are stories of cats becoming spirits called bakeneko with mysterious abilities.
- In medieval European stories, black cats in particular were thought to be connected to dark magic and witchcraft.
- In the Broadway musical Cats, the group of felines are portrayed as mischievous yet divine creatures.
- In Futurama, cats are considered sacred overlords of humans.
- In The Cat Returns by Studio Ghibli, another world inhabited by magical cats is shown.
Their spiritual status established long ago has thus crossed over into modern perceptions of cats as mystical, otherworldly guardians and guides.
The Internet Cat Craze
On the internet, cats have developed an almost legendary status, portrayed in memes and gifs as powerful beings not of this world. Videos and images of cats are among the most popular on social media. So their influential role continues today in the digital age.
Conclusion
In summary, cats have managed to secure sacred, holy status in an array of different cultures and faiths over many centuries. From ancient Egyptian goddess worship to modern online cat memes, these mysterious, independent creatures have maintained an air of the divine and mystical. Many religions have feared yet respected the cat’s hidden abilities and unknown secrets. They are incorporated into myths, stories, superstitions, and doctrines the world over.
So wherever cats are accepted, they tend to be elevated and revered for their grace, stealth, poise, maternal abilities, defender roles, connection with humans, symbolic meaning, and more. Their spiritual ties are undeniable. Cats clearly continue to hold a special place in societies and belief systems globally, making them one of humanity’s oldest and most beloved sacred animal companions.
