February 15, 2025 8:14 am

Animals in Ancient Egypt

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Animals of ancient Egypt

Animals in Ancient Egypt: Guardians, Deities and Cultural Icons

To the ancient Egyptians, the animal kingdom was a domain of respect, almost to the point of reverence; their civilization was completely intertwined-a complex tapestry of art, religion, and society. Animals were not just a part of the natural world; they were an integral part of Egyptian life, serving in functions that ranged from guardians of the afterlife to deified beings and symbols of authority.

It is an attempt at the multi-layered importance of animals for Ancient Egypt and explains their influence on absolutely everything that concerns this charismatic civilization.

Guardians of the Afterlife:

In the land of ancient Egyptian mythology, the afterlife was an important factor in people’s minds. Animals like the jackal, baboon, and falcon were considered protectors and guides of the dead to the next life.

It was Anubis, the jackal-headed god, who presided over the process of mummification and escorted the spirits of the dead into the afterlife. Baboons represented wisdom and protection and stood guard well in the supernatural sphere.

Deities and Sacred Animals

Animals were believed to manifest gods, the bearers of divine properties, and mediators between the world of mortals and the world of gods. The falcon-headed sun god Ra expressed the same sort of majesty to be found in those birds that cut across the Egyptian skies. Domesticated felines, especially, were tied to Bastet, the goddess of fertility, protection, and grace. Such was the regard for cats that it was a grave offense to harm them, and the punishment given to the offender was very serious.

Symbolism and Cultural Significance

Besides the use of animals for religious and mythological purposes, they played many symbolic roles in the day-to-day life of ancient Egyptians. For instance, the powerful and stately figure of the lion was symbolic of strength, courage, and royalty on thrones and emblems of pharaohs, while the ibis was a long-legged bird allied with the god Thoth, shown accompanying this god because of its association with wisdom, writing, and knowledge. Even the lowly dung beetle, more properly known as the scarab, was a deeply symbolic creature representing the cycle of rebirth and regeneration, thus serving as an effective metaphor for the eternity of life and death.

Domestic Animals in Ancient Egypt:

Animals also performed some practical functions, aside from their symbolic and religious uses, in the everyday life of ancient Egyptians. Dogs were considered to be faithful friends and protectors of the house, and found helpful on occasions of hunting. Cattle and oxen were quite useful for farming purposes and were used for labor in the fields, and their milk and meat served as a source of nutrition. Geese and ducks were reared for their eggs and meat to provide food for the people.

The importance of animals in ancient Egypt went way beyond the physical into every aspect of the civilization’s art, religion, and societal structure. Their roles as guardians, deities, symbols, and companions are a reflection of how the natural world interweaves in complex ways with the spiritual and cultural spheres.

It is in this way that the ancient Egyptians left to posterity their legacy with the great regard they attached to the animal kingdom. Such saliency in the influence of beasts upon the tapestry of humanity has continued to the present day.

The best way of learning and understanding animals in ancient Egypt are traveling to Egypt. This is because we have the responsibility of planning the ideal travel package for the discovery and exploration of Egypt’s historic and modern monuments, such as the Pyramids, and other famous temples of Luxor. We offer specially tailored tour packages for all locations within Egypt.

Isis with wings

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Anubis

Amazing tour to the pyramids of Sakkara and Dahshur

January 1, 2025

This week we had a great tour with Mohamed to the pyramids of Sakkara and Dahshur as well as Memphis. He tailored the tour to our preferences, took a lot of time with us and gave us detailed background information on everything. It was also great that he never tired of taking the time to answer our many questions.

You can definitely tell that he has studied Egyptology as he has a very deep understanding of the subject and can explain everything well. He also speaks perfect English and is really good driver.

We would definitely book a tour with him again in a heartbeat and would recommend him to anyone. 🙂

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Christina Gaedcke

Amazing Egypt Fun Tours

December 22, 2024

Highly Recommend Egypt Fun Tours!

Several weeks ago, I reached out to Egypt Fun Tours regarding a 9-hour layover in Cairo. From the very beginning, Hani Ahmed was responsive and professional, quickly providing a well-organized itinerary tailored to our limited time. The itinerary included a visit to the pyramids, other historical sites, a delicious dinner, and even a quick stop for souvenir shopping.

Upon arrival, Gilman efficiently assisted us in obtaining our day tourist visas (note: $25 per person in cash). She then introduced us to our guide, Mydo, who was absolutely phenomenal! Mydo’s knowledge, friendly demeanor, and ability to adjust the tour to our pace made the experience unforgettable.

We returned to the airport with plenty of time to relax before our flight. The entire experience was smooth, stress-free, and incredibly memorable. Egypt Fun Tours offers reasonable prices for a private, customized experience that truly exceeds expectations. Thank you, Egypt Fun Tours! We will definitely use your services again in the future.

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Miguel R

Alexandria! Wow!

November 7, 2024

Muhammad is the best! He showed me a world I never thought possible! The tombs in Alexandria by far was my favorite! I never knew there was a place on earth that contained both Greek and Egyptian carvings in the same tombs! The history and culture of Egypt is so fascinating! I highly recommend booking with Muhammad!

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James Risenhoover
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