Bastet - Egyptian Mythology

Bastet was a particularly beloved goddess, and families would invite cats into their home, inviting the spirit of her with them. The cats would protect the family from snakes and rodents, as Bastet protected them from evil spirits and contagious diseases (especially those related to women and children). So revered were cats because of her, that they would be mummified and families would be buried with their cats. She also represented fertility and sexuality - women would buy amulets and statues of her with kittens to assure their own fertility.