5 Sacred Animals Of Ancient Egypt

The Egyptian civilization was characterized by a strong polytheistic religion, based on the worship of a large number of gods. The depictions of these deities fill the walls and hieroglyphs of temples and pyramids, as immense powers were attributed to them. They also had a strong bond with Nature, often being represented with the likeness of an animal. But what were the sacred animals of Ancient Egypt? We will find out together in this article.

The sacred animals of ancient Egypt

Some species were even considered gods  and possessed unique abilities. There were many animals revered as gods and numerous temples and statues were built in their honor. So let’s discover 5 sacred animals of Ancient Egypt that you absolutely cannot miss:

1. Crocodile

He is one of the most famous inhabitants of the Nile River and known since ancient times. The crocodile represented the god Sobek – pictured above – and was highly revered by the ancient Egyptians. Many specimens of this huge reptile were even mummified. This deity was the symbol of the pharaoh’s fertility and absolute power.

For some Egyptians, dying in the jaws of a large reptile was an honor. Some were even kept indoors as pets, and even today fishermen perform several rituals before setting sail with their boats, to avoid encountering one.

2. Hawk

This bird represents the god Horus and is another of the sacred animals of ancient Egypt, certainly among the most famous. He is considered the creator of civilization, is linked to heaven, war and hunting, and was the son of Isis and Osiris.

From Horus dervia the legend of the eye – as a popular symbol – which has magical, purifying and healing characteristics. History indicates that during a fight with Seth – his uncle, responsible for his father’s death – he lost his left eye, which was replaced by one with magical powers.

3. Cat

Undoubtedly the most famous of the sacred animals of ancient Egypt, as it was considered the link between heaven and earth. The pharaohs granted them a funeral worthy of a noble when they died, and it was said that they were beings with an immense spirituality.

In Egyptian mythology, the goddess Bastet had a cat’s head and protected harmony in homes and temples, keeping evil spirits away. It was often invoked in favor of pregnant women, babies and the sick.

4. Jackal

This animal is associated with Anubis, the god of the dead and the protector of embalmers. This divinity accompanied the spirits of the dead in the presence of Osiris who, weighing their hearts, decided whether to admit them to heaven. The feather of Maat was placed on one of the scales and the dead man’s heart must have been lighter than it.

In real life, the jackal is a predator belonging to the canine family – the same as dogs and wolves – and ranks on the same level as the coyote food chain. It can run at over 15km / h thanks to its long legs and is most active during twilight.

5. Scarab

The last of the ancient Egyptian sacred animals on this list is related to the god Khepri, the morning sun, one of the manifestations of Ra (the ‘father’ of all gods). The scarab appears in all temples, in papyri and among jewels, as it was used as an amulet.

The legend has to do with the dung beetle, which creates and rolls a ball of dung with its paws at dawn. The Egyptians connected that sphere to the sun which marked the beginning of all activities for this widespread insect. And in this way they represented him with a circle on his head, like a kind of areola.