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darkchrystal — bastet

Published: 2004-06-29 19:15:14 +0000 UTC; Views: 785; Favourites: 7; Downloads: 27
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Description The Egyptian cat-headed goddess, Bastet was strictly a solar deity until the arrival of Greek influence on Egyptian society, when she became a lunar goddess due to the Greeks associating her with their Artemis. Dating from the 2nd Dynasty (roughly 2890-2686 BCE), Bastet was originally portrayed as either a wild desert cat or as a lioness, and only became associated with the domesticated feline around 1000 BCE. She was commonly paired with Sakhmet, the lion-headed goddess of Memphis, Wadjet, and Hathor. Bastet was the "Daughter of Ra", a designation that placed her in the same ranks as such goddesses as Maat and Tefnut. Additionally, Bastet was one of the "Eyes of Ra", the title of an "avenger" god who is sent out specifically to lay waste to the enemies of Egypt and her gods.

The cult of Bastet was centered in Bubastis (located in the delta region, near modern- day Zagazig) from at least the 4th Dynasty. In the Late Period Bubastis was the capital of Egypt for a dynasty, and a few kings took her name into their royal titles. Bubastis was made famous by the traveler Herodotus in the 4th century BCE, when he described in his annals one of the festivals that takes place in honor of Bastet. Excavations in the ruins of Tell-Basta (the former Bubastis) have yielded many discoveries, including a graveyard with mummified holy cats.

Because the Greeks equated Bastet with Diana and Artemis and Horus with Apollo, Bastet became adopted into the Osiris-Isis myth as their daughter (this association, however, was never made previous to the arrival of Hellenistic influence on Egypt). She is stated to be the mother of the lion-headed god Mihos (who was also worshipped in Bubastis, along with Thoth). She is depicted most commonly as a woman with the head of a domesticated or wild cat or lion, or as a cat itself.

*_*

All are artmatic fractals and assembled together to get a cat-like creature in photoshop cs, as you see several cats in this design, also on the silk teddy she wears *smile* ... uhm... on her feet she wear boots like 'de gelaarsde kat' ... didn't wanna show too much claws LOL

Anyways thank you very much for viewing and commenting on this design, also your support on the previous one called 'thoth' is very much appreciated.
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Comments: 8

BethBurt [2004-07-01 11:46:59 +0000 UTC]

Once again, You've used your knowledge to creat an awesome figure. I really like this piece a lot. The detail is stunning. I want to see more of your work, and that doesn't happen with just anyone .

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darkchrystal In reply to BethBurt [2004-07-02 06:10:41 +0000 UTC]

thank you Beth for your wonderful comment on this 'catlady' ... i appreciate your support :-D

and thank you for adding me to your friends list, you'll see a lot more mythological creatures like these...

i am currently trying to interpret 'sobek' *smile* which will take a while

have a nice day

greetings, Harmen

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BethBurt In reply to darkchrystal [2004-07-03 10:11:31 +0000 UTC]

Good job on creating Sobek. I love your vibrant and vigorous characters. Your touch of the abstract in creativity is stunning.

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sideoutman [2004-07-01 10:20:20 +0000 UTC]

I think this is one of the most amazing fractal composition I've ever seen....it's so original and well done, a must have !!!
Take a look at my gallery if you want, my style is far away from your absolute skillness but....it's fractal art as well!!!
Cheers.

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darkchrystal In reply to sideoutman [2004-07-02 05:46:30 +0000 UTC]

thanks Fabio, i just love to put fractals together to make a design like this, its a lot of work, but the end result is wonderful ... and thanks for adding this one to your list

have a nice day

Harmen

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sideoutman In reply to darkchrystal [2004-07-02 07:54:35 +0000 UTC]

My pleasure Harmen...I'm waiting for your next one!
I wanted to try Artmatic but it's only for Mac...
Cheers.

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rhipster [2004-06-29 20:51:47 +0000 UTC]

Wow, I'm really impressed. You master not only the softwares you use (what softs?) but also the design of your mythologic animals. Hum....this divine cat is a male, obviously,... well maybe not. Androgyne??...
This fractal is out of the common designs we see here (and that myself begin to produce difficultly Bravo !

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darkchrystal In reply to rhipster [2004-06-29 21:11:17 +0000 UTC]

thank you for your comment, this cat is here depicted as a woman really, but ya never knew with the egyptian gods and goddesses, for some have different sexes ... the application artmatic pro is unfortenately for macs only, and i use it primary for making fractals, which i use to make these extra-ordinary designs ... and there will be more to come in this theme *smile*

also thank you for adding this one to one of your

greetings,

Harmen

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