In Ancient Egypt, cats were not just pets — they were sacred symbols of protection, grace, and beauty. The goddess Bastet, depicted with the head of a cat, represented love, fertility, and joy. Egyptians celebrated her with great festivals in the city of Bubastis. When a cat died, its owners would shave their eyebrows in mourning. Thousands of cat mummies were discovered in tombs at Saqqara, proving their divine status 🏺 Cats guarded homes and symbolized intelligence and power in royal palaces