#soulfulcreatures

This magical stela features the god Horus as child. He stands triumphantly on a pair of crocodiles and grasps snakes and scorpions in his fists, demonstrating his control over these animals. Ancient Egyptians believed water poured over such images could be used to protect from and heal snake and scorpion bites.

Due to its nocturnal and amphibious nature, the crocodile became linked with the god Sobek, an important symbol of the Nile's fertility. In this stela, Sobek in the form of a divine crocodile sits on a shrine with an offering table before him. A prayer once invoked the god, who provided all that the deceased needed in the next world.

The man-headed cobra on this coffin represents Atum and that a mummified snake inside was an offering to the god. Atum was a creator god and a personification of the setting sun. By taking the form of a snake he prepares himself for the journey through the underworld between sunset and sunrise the following day. 

Domesticated over 5000 years ago, cats were venerated and beloved animals in ancient Egypt. This wooden coffin portrays the cat inside eternally sitting at attention, perhaps by an owner’s side or ready to defend against vermin. Their night vision and skills at catching mice and snakes were valued in mythology. 

Fluffy cuteness is not the only reason the ancient Egyptians kept cats as pet. Like other pets in the ancient world, pet cats served an important purpose. Because cats are great hunters and could see at night, they protected homes and granaries from vermin. 

Cats are tender and nurturing with their kittens, but could scratch and kill (if you’re a mouse). The Egyptians did not worship cats. But, they did believe that some gods shared certain qualities with the felines and for this reason represented these gods with cat or lion features. One of the most popular “cat-goddesses,” Bastet had many feline characteristics like nurture and motherly protection. But when she was upset, she turned into the lioness, Sakhmet (bottom, left)—a ferocious and dangerous divinity.

The ancient Egyptians created millions of cat mummies to be dedicated in temples to the gods. Some of these are on display in Soulful Creatures: Animal Mummies in Ancient Egypt.

This kitten coffin is one of the oldest objects in the Soulful Creatures. Before the ancient Egyptians donated mummified animals, they sent messages to the gods with votive statues of the same animals. This object that contains two mummified kittens and sculptures of them represents the transition in practice. 

This large mummy likely contains a wild breed of cat. It is encased in decorated cartonnage—a mixture of linen and plaster—much like a human. An inscription on the cartonnage refers to the animal as “the Osiris Pa-miu,” meaning the soul of this cat, named Pa-miu, entered the afterlife and merged with the god Osiris, carrying with it prayers to the goddess Bastet. 

Come send some prayers in Soulful Creatures: Animal Mummies in Ancient Egypt through January 21.

The ancient Egyptians harnessed the powers of ferocious animals like this one to ward off danger. The animal in this mummy is actually a juvenile. This creature was venerated as offspring of the annual inundation and associated with god Sobek, an important symbol of the Nile’s fertility. What is it?