How Cats Became Divine Symbols in Ancient Egypt

Cats feature in ancient Egyptian art. It reflects the cat's unique status among people who lived along the Nile River.

Cats were first seen as beneficial predators but later became symbols of divinity and protection. While ancient Egyptians did not worship animals, they did see them as representations of divine aspects of their gods.

Most of what we know about the function of cats comes from scenes depicted in paintings on the wall of tombs.

• In the scenes, cats are shown laying or sitting below chairs, playing or chasing after birds. 
• In some mortuary texts, they are also shown with a dagger, cutting through the snake deity Apopis, who threatens the sun god Ra.
• In the Tomb of Nebamun, one painting shows a cat accompanying Nebamun while fishing and fowling.