Bastet

Bastet is an ancient Egyptian goddess of cats, fertility, and the sun, whose name derives from the Egyptian bꜣstt, possibly linked to bꜣs meaning "ointment jar" with a feminine t suffix. In Egyptian mythology, Bastet was originally a lioness-headed deity, a protector of Lower Egypt. By the New Kingdom period, she became more associated with domestic cats, while the similar cat goddess Sekhmet retained the fierce lioness aspect, and the two were sometimes seen as dual aspects of the same goddess.

Etymology

The name Bastet (also rendered as Bast, Ubasti, or Bubastis) is a modern Egyptological reconstruction; in early hieroglyphs, the name consisted of the signs for b, ꜣ, st, and a feminine ending t. The meaning may relate to ointment jars, symbolizing protection or healing. In ancient Greek religion, she was known as Ailuros, meaning "cat."

Religious Significance

Bastet was worshipped at Bubastis in Lower Egypt as early as the Second Dynasty (c. 2890 BCE). Originally depicted as a lioness, she later assumed the form of a domestic cat, embodying gentleness and protective motherhood. She was a solar deity and associated with fertility, music, and dance. The cult of Bastet was popular, and her priests officiated at her temple in Bubastis, a center of pilgrimage and celebration.

Notable Bearers

Variants of the name include Bast, a shorter form used historically. No human bearers are known, as Bastet remained a purely divine figure.

• Meaning: Possibly "ointment jar" from Egyptian bꜣs
• Origin: Egyptian
• Type: Goddess name
• Usage: Egyptian (historical/religious)