Sacred Cat
(history, cat lovers)
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Probably the most renowned sacred cat in history is the Sphinx of ancient
Egypt, a huge effigy of the sun god Ra, with the body of a lion and the head
of a Pharaoh. One of Ra's many children was the goddess Bast (pronounced Bost).
Bast is portrayed in statues as either a woman with the head of a cat, or
fully as a cat. As the daughter of Ra, she was his fierce protector/avenger,
invested with the grace, charm and wile of a domestic cat, and the strength,
speed and brutality of a lion. Many cats were sacrificed to her and mummified
in the cult capitol of Bubastis. As she became associated with Greek gods,
her image softened. She is often referred to now as the protector of domestic
cats and those who care for them. Made from glazed red earthenware clay, the
back of this limited edition piece displays the artist's signature stamp and
LQP the chop mark, 1 1/2" high.
