Animals, Sacred

Animals, Sacred.

The system of zoolatria, or animal-worship, was said to have been introduced into Egypt by king Kekau, of the 2d dynasty; and the chief sacred animals and reptiles which were adored either as incarnations or servants of the various deities were-

The bull Apis, sacred to Osiris; the bull Mnevis, sacred to Osiris; the bull Pacis, unknown; the cat, sacred to Bast; the cobra or Uraeus serpent, sacred to all the deities: the cow, sacred to Athor; the crocodile, sacred to Sebek; the cynocephalus baboon, sacred to Thoth; the eel, sacred to Atum; the fish Latus, sacred to Isis; the frog, sacred to Haket; the hippopotamus, sacred to Thoeris; the ibis, sacred to Thoth; the jackal, sacred to Anubis; the lapwing, sacred to Osiris; the lion, sacred to Sekhet; the ram, sacred to Pthah and Khnum; the scarabseus beetle, sacred to Kheper Ra; the scorpion, sacred to Selk; the sparrow-hawk, sacred to Horus; the shrew- mouse, sacred to Buto; the vulture, sacred to Mant.