Perhaps, not a single animal mankind has come up with as many legends, proverbs and accepts as about a cat. She is considered a guide to the other world and knows how to see ghosts and ghosts. Cats relieve headaches, calm nerves and anticipate earthquakes. And in many countries they are considered sacred animals.
In Europe in the Middle Ages, cats were highly prized. They were in almost every home. Large and half-wild animals hunted hordes of mice and rats and protected the harvested crop from spoilage. Cats were revered and loved. But during the witch hunt, the situation changed. Cats began to be burned at the stake and for a long time were considered accomplices of devilish forces.
In ancient Egypt, there were many sacred animals - crocodiles, bulls, lions. One of the most revered animals was the cat. Numerous deities of Egypt often took the form of this animal. The sun god Ra sometimes appeared in the form of a ginger cat, and the god of Storm and Bad weather Mahes was depicted in the form of a reed cat. But the most recognizable was the image of the goddess of fertility, motherhood and joy - Bastet. She was usually depicted as a woman with a cat's head.
It was believed that amulets depicting a cat contribute to fertility and success in love. In addition, the cat was revered as the guardian of world order on earth and harmony.
Almost every Egyptian had a cat in the house. She was looked after, fed deliciously and never offended. In wealthy families, the body of a cat after death was embalmed and buried in special cemeteries, stuffed mice and toys were placed in the coffin.
Scientists are inclined to believe that the cult of this animal arose due to the fact that the cat is very fertile and takes great care of its offspring. Her ability to suddenly and silently disappear and reappear, her gracefulness and nocturnal lifestyle fostered reverence and respect.
In the kingdom of Siam, cats were on a special account. It was there that the famous Siamese cat appeared. She was kept in royal palaces and was of cult importance in Thailand. The inhabitants of the kingdom believed that the soul of the dying king finds a temporary refuge in the body of the Siamese cat, and after the death of the monarch, the cat escorts him to the afterlife. Therefore, the cat was treated as a sacred animal.
The cats in the palace were carefully looked after as members of the royal family. They ate from dishes made of precious metals and slept on expensive silk fabrics. Today in Thailand there is no such cult of a cat, but it still remains a favorite animal among the inhabitants of this state. For cats, he will always find food and a place to sleep.
