Bastet is the Egyptian Goddess of protection, fertility, childbirth and cats. She protected peoples’ homes from evil spirits and disease, especially diseases associated with women and children. She is often portrayed half- human and half cat, having a head of a cat and body of a woman, has a sistrum (music instrument) and is usually accompanied by a litter of kittens.  

Cats, which have lots of babies and take good care of them, were seen as mini versions of Bastet. Cats were extremely popular in Egypt and were known to ward away rodents and snakes who were big troubles for the people. Women in Egypt worshipped this Cat Goddess and told her their secrets. Because of Bastet, cats were considered as treasured and valuable pets. People also wore protective amulets for good luck, especially when their times were bad.

Bastet was the daughter of Ra, wife of Ptah who is the God of architecture and mother of Mihos. Bastet was the defender of Ra and was his faithful cat who was sent into the Duat to fight his arch nemesis Apophis (the Chaos Serpent). It is believed that she travelled with the Sun God every day and night, and protect him.

Bastet is also closely associated with Sekhmet- the lioness Goddess and many people considered both of them as one. The myth talks about the time when Ra was a mortal pharaoh. Once he got angry with the Egyptians and hence sent Sekhmet to punish them. Sekhmet killed many people and even drank their blood. As Sekhmet’s killings were unstoppable, Ra then thought of an idea. He asked the people to pour red beer over the land so that Sekhmet mistakes it as blood and drinks it. The plan worked and Sekhmet drank the beer and fell asleep after getting drunk. When she woke up, she had transformed into Bastet. This myth also talks about how Bastet transformed from a fierce lioness to a gentle cat.

There is another famous myth which says that the colour turquoise originated from Bastet’s blood which changed its colour from red to turquoise after it touched the ground.

Due to her popularity, her annual festival is one of the most lavish events in Egypt where people pray for safety and women pray for fertility. The most followers for Bastet are from the city of Bubastis.