The religion in ancient Egypt was not based on theological principles and values but instead, the gods were connected with the nature and elements such as earth, air, water or animals. Ancient Egyptians believed that the universe had powers through which they respected and worshiped every element because of the belief that divine existed in everything. Animals were valued by the ancient Egyptians and were connected to the divinity through which people worshiped. They comprehended the features of the animals, giving them a sense of admiration and status. While some animals were reared for food, the majority of the animals in ancient Egypt were kept as pets and for value which they represented in human life. Animal symbolism and art in animals was a significant way through which the ancient Egyptians expressed their culture and religious beliefs. Ancient Egyptians viewed animals as sacred that represented religious importance and seen as symbols for god, and this were visible in the images of artwork that was present in many temples and religious centers.
Ancient Egyptians had their own sacred animals through which they believed that gods and goddess availed themselves to people in form of various species of animals ( Morphy , 2014). They, therefore, honored certain species of animals with a belief that such honor would entice gods and goddess. The various species of animals that were believed to be the incarnation of the gods and goddess were preserved special places near the temples and other religious centers in which they were well taken care of. Respect for the animals was paramount in almost all the cultures of ancient Egypt. Animals were given significant status throughout their lives because they represented a religious importance to the people.
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Animals played a key role in the mythology and religion of the ancient Egyptians. While the animals were not directly worshiped, they were seen as a representation of the gods, and they believed that caring for the animals will please the gods. Some animals were raised in the farms specifically to be killed and mummified before being sold to the people for making pilgrimages to the temples. Most Egyptian gods were represented on earth either through animals, human or a combination of both animal and human forms. Many Egyptians had a belief that their gods and goddess were represented on earth through animal and as a result, these animals were honored. Most of them were kept around the temples for use through rituals and festivals. Some animals were also viewed as a living embodiment of god. They believed that god was present amongst them through animals.
Ancient Egyptians got known for their unique aspects of their culture through art. Animals were important and acted as symbolism in the ancient Egypt art. Many of their arts included mummies and great sphinx of Giza. Most of their arts included painting and ceramics which made their style of art attractive. Many arts in ancient Egypt revolved around animals. Since animals were considered sacred, images of animals were used as symbolism to represent a certain culture in ancient Egypt (Petrie, 2013). In the temples was an image of the antelope head. The decoration with an antelope head was sacred to the god Sokar, a god who was believed to be the overseer of the desert as well as royal cemeteries.
An image of a baboon was used as a symbolism to represent the god of writing and recording. It also represented youthful moon as well as the son of Horus. This was considered sacred because of the belief that the gods manifest themselves through animals. The art representing the image of baboon head was found in many different places including the temple and other religious places. The head of the baboon which was believed to represent Thoth was responsible for the lunar-based calendar. An image of a bull was also common among the ancient Egypt art. The bull represented two gods known as Ptah and Osiris. These gods represented the attributes of power, fertility, regeneration, and masculinity. The bull also formed one of the most significant animals used to represent gods in ancient Egypt. The death of an Apis was treated with great honor by providing a special burial (Petrie, 2013). The images of the bulls were placed in many locations including the temple in which it was given a sacred location. The ancient Egyptians believed that gods inhabited in the bull.
The cat image was another art that was common in the culture of ancient Egypt. It was believed that gods were present in the cat and thus considered sacred. The cat was deemed to represent the gods for defense, childbirth, fertility, and protection ( Pettigrew , 2013). They were believed to contain some divine powers which had a role in human life. Expectant mothers would wear bastet which was believed to help in the protection and childbirth. Also, the image of the cow was seen as a representation of many goddesses that were responsible for the fertility of the female. The horns and ears of the cows were always used to represent the goddesses. The images of snakes also played a key role in the religious beliefs of the ancient Egyptians. Snakes were believed to be the symbol of resurrection for the dead. A giant snake was seen as the protector of the sacred boat as it sailed along the waters.
In conclusion, animals and the symbols in the art played a key role in the culture of the ancient Egyptians. Animals were valued and seen s sacred through which the gods and the goddess represented themselves on earth. Several arts of the various species of animals were made and put in various places including the temples, religious places as well as homes to represent gods and goddess. Ancient Egyptians had a unique art that was presented as symbolism in animals and this remained a great culture that impacted their religion.
References
Morphy, H. (Ed.). (2014). Animals into art (Vol. 42). Routledge.
Pettigrew, T. J. (2013). A History of Egyptian Mummies: And an Account of the Worship and Embalming of the Sacred Animals by the Egyptians . Cambridge University Press.
Petrie, W. M. F. (2013). The arts and crafts of ancient Egypt . Cambridge University Press.
