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egyptian pet urns

Beauty from the Ashes: Egyptian Cat Urns

October 23, 2018 Kim Stacey

egyptian cat urns for pets

I promised, in the closing paragraph of a previous post, “Beauty from the Ashes: Outdoor Pet Urns,” to take a closer look at the Egyptian goddess Bastet; the inspiration for our collection of Egyptian cat cremation urns. But first, I’d like to digress for a minute, to share my story – maybe it’s similar to your own.

My Love Affair with Ancient Egypt Began Early

I’ll let you in on a little secret – when I was about 7 I decided I was going to be an archaeologist. Once I became mesmerized by Howard Carter’s 1933 discovery of King Tutankhamun’s tomb, I changed my plans: I was going to become an Egyptologist. And, I decided later, I was going to be the one to uncover Queen Cleopatra’s tomb. I didn’t pursue that vision of adulthood, but still kept my eyes open for news about Cleopatra’s tomb – which, it appears, has been found. Egyptologist Kathleen Martinez claims she’s discovered the lost tomb of the Queen and her lover, Marc Anthony. Read the PBS article “Cleopatra’s Lost Tomb: Q & A with Kathleen Martinez” for all the exciting details.

Now, Meet the Goddess

Bastet, or Bast, means (according to Geraldine Pinch, author of Egyptian Mythology, “She of the Ointment Jar,” Bastet was a protector “of the home, domesticity, women’s secrets, cats, fertility, and childbirth. She protected the home from evil spirits and disease, especially diseases associated with women and children. As with many Egyptian deities, she also played a role in the afterlife as a guide and helper to the dead although this was not one of her primary duties (source).
From that description alone, it’s easy to see why this goddess is perfectly-suited as inspiration for this first Egyptian cat urn for ashes.

Because of its classic canopic jar shape, and its colorful, traditional styling, the Ancient Egyptian Bastet Pet Urn one of our most popular pet urns. It measures approximately 10” high and 5” wide, and can hold the ashes of a 60-pound pet.
Here are some comments from buyers of this pet urn. Emily Meeker wrote, “I recently purchased and received this beautiful urn. I’ve never had to make after-life arrangements and finding a new vessel for my beloved Comet that fit us both so well, (he is depicted as Bast on my back in a tattoo, done years prior to his health failing and death) made the process less painful. Thank you so much.”

Jackie Eastwood shared, “I LOVE this urn! It’s beautiful and well made! I also purchased the Egyptian cat urn, which I also LOVE! And they came so quickly. They came in four days and that included the weekend. Thank you!”

I’m in agreement with both Emily and Jackie; this is a very beautiful urn. But others have been more enamored with the unusual ‘box’ styling of our Bastet Egyptian Cat Box for Ashes.

Egyptian box urn for ashes

Perhaps it’s because it’s possible to personalize the urn with up to two lines of engraving (with a maximum of 33 characters for each line). Also, the fact that its size makes it suitable for the ashes of either a pet or a human being may have something to do with its popularity.

Another very popular urn in our collection is the Egyptian Pyramid Small Pet Urn.

pyramid pet urn

It’s diminutive; just 8″ high x 8″ wide x 8″ deep. You might be interested to know the number 8, is important in the ancient Egyptian mythology of the Ogdoad representing the eight primordial deities responsible for the creation of the worlds (source). Tina Vigilante spoke for many of our customers when she wrote, “I cannot tell you how pleased I am with this Egyptian urn! It is utterly gorgeous! A magnificent final resting place for my beloved kitty! Came wrapped very well too! Thank you soooooooo much! I am recommending you to all my friends and family members!”

The last Egyptian cat urn for ashes in today’s gallery is the Elegant Black Cat Cremation Urn.

black cat urn for pets

Hand-engraved; the urn is 5.5” high and 3.75” wide; made of solid brass with a shiny black enamel overlay. Despite its apparent small size, it will hold the ashes of a cat weighing up to 25 pounds. Like the Bastet Egyptian Cat Box for Ashes. This pet urn can be personalized with one line of engraving on the back side. In April of 2017, Becky Henshaw shared her delight with this urn: “Thank you so much for this wonderful urn! It was just I wanted for my little fur baby. It’s well-made and elegant.”

Capturing the Excitement of Discovery and the Mystery of Ancient Egypt

If you’re anything like me, you’ll love these words, from Howard Carter’s The Tomb of Tutankhamen, largely because they capture the awe he felt that day back in November of 1922:“…as my eyes grew accustomed to the light, details of the room within emerged slowly from the mist, strange animals, statues, and gold – everywhere the glint of gold. For the moment – an eternity it must have seemed to the others standing by – I was struck dumb with amazement, and when Lord Carnarvon, unable to stand the suspense any longer, inquired anxiously, ‘Can you see anything?’ it was all I could do to get out the words, ‘Yes, wonderful things.”

It’s been almost 100 years since Carter’s discovery; yet that sense of astonishment is, at least for me, still very real. Perhaps the same is true for you.

egyptian pet urn

Filed Under: Pets Tagged With: Egyptian cat cremation urns, Egyptian cat urn for ashes, egyptian pet urns

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

Goddess of Cats and Fire, Bastet is Back!

November 27, 2007 urngarden.com

One of the experiments we conducted in the garden this year was the launch of our Egyptian Collection. We try not to be slaves to our own tastes, but admittedly we’re crazy for all things Egyptian (except for cobras and poison asps) and it seemed like a good fit.

The Bastet and Anubis canopic jar style pet urns have been a popular selection with our families and both styles been sold out for several weeks now. Bastet is now back in stock and appeals to the cat lovers. Makes sense because Bastet was the goddess of cats, fire, home, and pregnant women.

bastet canopic jar

Bastet had a split personality and was both gentle and docile, but could quickly turn into an evil kitty and slaughter her enemies.

According to the Greek historian, Herodotus, festivals for Bastet were held in April and May at Bubastis. Boat-loads of men and women would sail the Nile shaking rattles and blowing horns, dancing, and disturbing the peace. Jeering at the crowds along the banks. When the Egyptians finally reached the festival destination, the party really got started! Kicking it off with sacrifices, massive wine consumption and the largest orgy in the Mediterranean. Herodotus said “more wine is consumed than during the whole of the rest of the year.” Good times!

In addition to Bastet and Anubis, other pet urn styles in the Egyptian collection include a Pharaoh and Horus version.

Filed Under: Advertising, art, cremation, Memorial Service Ideas, pet urns, urns Tagged With: bastet canopic jar, egyptian cremation urns, egyptian pet urn, egyptian pet urns

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