Bastet

Bastet (also known as Bast) is the ancient Egyptian goddess of the home, fertility, and protection.

Originally depicted as a fierce, sun-dwelling lioness warrior, her nature was "cooled" over centuries—symbolically linked to the domestication of cats—to become the gentler, cat-headed deity familiar today.

As the daughter of the sun god Ra, she was a central figure in Egyptian mythology, often tasked with defending her father against the chaos-serpent Apep.

In her domestic role, she protected households from disease and evil spirits while overseeing the health of women and children.

She is typically portrayed as a woman with a cat's head, frequently holding a sistrum (a ritual rattle) and an ankh. Her primary cult center was the city of Bubastis, where her annual festivals were famous for their music, dancing, and immense popularity.