Tradition / Region: Egyptian Mythology
Alternative names: Bast, Ubasti, Ailuros
Category: Cat, Deity
The Myth
Bastet was first worshipped as a fierce lioness goddess who defended the sun god Ra and protected the king of Lower Egypt. She was a warrior who fought the serpent Apep, the great enemy of Ra, and stood as one of the divine guardians of the sun.
Over time, Bastet came to be represented as a domestic cat or a woman with the head of a cat while retaining her role as a powerful protector. She was believed to guard homes against evil spirits and contagious diseases and was also associated with pregnancy, childbirth, and motherhood. As the daughter of Ra and Isis and the consort of Ptah, she was also regarded as the mother of the lion-headed god Maahes.
Bastet’s chief sanctuary stood in the city of Bubastis, where countless pilgrims gathered to celebrate her festivals. During these celebrations, people traveled by boat, singing, dancing, drinking wine, and offering sacrifices in her honor. The temple was famous for its sacred cats, many of which were mummified and buried there after death.
One tradition tells that the fierce lioness aspect of the goddess was calmed by the sacred waters surrounding her temple, transforming her from a wrathful guardian into the gentle cat goddess who watched over homes, families, and the people of Egypt.
Sources
“Bastet.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Accessed July 28, 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bastet