A decisive influence on the formation of the religion of Ancient Egypt was exerted by primitive totemism, based on belief in a sacred animal that is the patron saint of the tribe. Therefore, the gods of the Egyptians are hunters. In addition, they had a cult of animals, considered the embodiment of a particular deity.
Instructions
Step 1
The most revered among the Egyptians were the cults of the bull, kite, falcon, ibis, baboon, cat, crocodile and scarab beetle. After death, the sacred animal was embalmed, placed in a sarcophagus and buried near the temple.
Step 2
The cult of the bull did not arise among the Egyptians by accident. With its help, the soil was cultivated, so the bull symbolized fertility. In Memphis, the sacred bull Apis was revered as the personification of the god Ptah and constantly lived at the temple. However, not every bull could become an Apis. It had to be black with three light markings: a triangle on the forehead, a spot in the form of a flying kite on the neck and a spot in the form of a growing moon on the side.
Step 3
As a living embodiment of the sun god Ra, the sun bull Mnevis was revered, and the god of fertility Osiris was associated with the black bull Bukhis, depicted with a solar disk between the horns. Along with the bull, the Egyptians also revered the sacred cow. As a rule, she personified the wife of Osiris - the goddess Isis. The "Great White Cow" was considered the mother of Apis.
Step 4
The sacred birds in Egypt were the ibis, falcon and kite. Even for the accidental murder of one of them, the culprit was sentenced to death. The ibis, personifying wisdom, peace and grace, was considered one of the incarnations of the god of wisdom, the creator of writing and literature, Thoth.
Step 5
The falcon was identified with the son of Osiris Horus, depicted as a flying falcon, and the sun god Ra. Throughout the history of Ancient Egypt, the falcon was considered the patron and protector of the sacred power of the pharaoh. The kite symbolized the sky, and the female white kite embodied the goddess Nehmet and was a symbol of the power of the pharaoh.
Step 6
Crocodiles personified the god of the Nile floods, Sebek. Many crocodiles lived in a specially created reservoir in Fayum.
Step 7
One of the most revered sacred animals of ancient Egypt was the cat. This was largely due to the fact that cats destroyed rodents and, accordingly, protected the crop. Cats were associated with the sun god Ra, who was considered a great cat, and the goddess Bastet, the keeper of the hearth.
Step 8
The baboon was one of the incarnations of the god of wisdom Thoth. Sacred baboons were considered sentient creatures. They lived in temples, trained and could take part in religious ceremonies.
Step 9
Among insects, the scarab beetle was especially revered - the embodiment of the sun god Khepri. Jewelry in the form of a scarab served as amulets that not only protected their owner from evil forces, but also contributed to his resurrection after death.
Step 10
In addition, various cities of Egypt had their own cults of sacred animals, including the ram, jackal, dog, lion and hippo.
