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egypt urn for ashes

Egyptian Urns for Pets, Regal Bastet

August 17, 2014 urngarden.com

For clients that are mourning the loss of a pet or just have an interest in Egyptian culture, Bastet and Anubis urns often appeal to those customers. It’s no wonder that Bastet is preferred among cat people.

bastet egyptian cat urn

The classic canopic jar style is large enough to hold not only the ashes but has room for a collar and maybe a small toy. A smaller marble cylinder shape is also available with Bastet perched on the top adorned with a gold breastplate and a hoop in her ear.

bastet cat urn
The role of cats in ancient Egypt is nothing like the role they play today. Back then, felines were protected under very strict laws and were held to very high esteem. Many cats were said to be connected to a number of gods and goddesses and were commonly referred to as demi-gods.

Cats and Ancient Egypt

Because ancient Egypt was a largely agrarian society, it was overrun with rats, mice and snakes, all which threatened the crops and grains. It is believed that the Egyptians wanted wild cats to prey on these scaven-gers so they began leaving food out at night so the cats will come back. As time went on, the trust between the cats and humans grew to the point that the felines started living indoors with the Egyptians and becoming domesticated.

As the relationship between cats and humans grew, the animals became friendlier with the Egyptians and were loved and respected by their human counterparts. If a person harmed a cat in any way, whether it was intentional, then he or she would be punished. Whoever killed a feline during these times would be put to death. The Egyptians’ love for cats was so great that they surrendered to the Persians instead of allowing that army to harm or kill the animals.

Finally, when cats did die, they were mummified just as the humans and placed in one of the many cat cemeteries along the Nile River. Their human owner would go into mourning and shave their eyebrows.

Bastet, Egyptian Goddess of Protection and Pleasure

Known as the cat goddess, Bastet symbolized both the war-like and domesticated cats during ancient Egyptian times. Originally called Bast, she was the goddess of warfare in the Nile River delta region before the unification of ancient Egypt’s cultures. During this time, she is depicted as a fierce lioness or a woman with the head of a lion. Around the 18th century BC, Bastet, the daughter of Ra, the sun god, took on the form of a woman with the head of a cat and further emerged as an Egyptian cat goddess. She was both aggressive and vicious, as well at times docile and gentile.

If Egyptian urns are your style, check out the complete collection for people and pets.

Egyptian Urns

 

Filed Under: Featured Products Tagged With: egypt urn for ashes, egyptian cat urn, egyptian pet urns

Popular Style of Pet Urns: Anubis, Guardian of the Tomb

July 22, 2014 urngarden.com

egypt pet urnOne of the more popular styles of  pet urns is the one inspired by canopic jars that were found in pyramids that appealed to the god Anubis,  to guard and protect the dead and one of the most iconic gods of ancient Egypt. Originally known as a god of the underworld, Anubis (or Anpu as the ancient Egyptians called him) became associated with funeral rites and the embalming process.

Egyptian urns for ashes

Anubis travels in in the modern world now in the form of a bronze urn that is a good size for pets or people that want to divide ashes or retain some after an ash scattering ceremony. The size works well for many pet owners, as they sometimes have room for a small collar or toy in addition to the ashes.

egyptian pet urn

Although Anubis was known as the inventor of embalming and assisted in the rites of mummification, today he guards the cremated remains of loved ones. He helped preserve his father Osiris, the god of earth and vegetation, with the hopes that he may live again. Pet parents who have recently lost a dog will often choose this style of Egyptian urn, while many cat owners will choose Bastet.

pet urn

Anubis was said to have the body of a man and the head of a black jackal, and he is holding a scepter originally carried by gods and kings. Anubis’ symbol was ox-hide covered in blood as it hangs from a pole. Its meaning is not known. This god had several roles:
•    Supervise the embalming or mummification of bodies
•    Place each mummy into its tomb, perform the “Opening of the Mouth” ceremony (ritual that allowed deceased to enjoy the offerings and provisions performed by the priests and officiants) and conduct the soul in the “Field of Celestial Offerings” (a paradise of earthly pleasures)
•    Monitor the “Scales of Truth” and protect the dead from eternal death and deception
•    Feed the souls of wicked people to goddess Ammit

The god Anubis is associated with the jackal because this type of wild dog lurked around graves. This is why ancient Egyptians decorated and made their tombs elaborate as to keep the jackals away. Egyptians who worshipped Anubis hoped to appeal to him to protect their deceased loved ones from jackals and the natural decomposition non-embalmed bodies endured.

Anubis is the son of Osiris and Nephthys (lady of the house). Later Egyptian priests typically wore the mast of Anubis during embalming and mummification ceremonies.

If the magic and lore of ancient Egypt appeals to you, more cremation urns in this timeless style are available to protect and guard the ashes and create a lasting memorial to your loved one.

Urn Garden Pet Urns

Filed Under: cremation, pet urns Tagged With: anubis urn, dog urn, egypt urn for ashes, egyptian cremation urn, egyptian pet urns, urn for dog

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