About Bastet<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBastet’s history is a bit complicated. Her name is modern, originally it would’ve been closer to Bu’istiat. This would have eventually evolved to Ubaste as grammar and pronunciation changed over time. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nobody’s really certain what it means — one theory holds that her name stems from “ointment jar,” since it was written with the hieroglyph for a jar commonly used to hold perfumed ointments and she was associated with unguents used for protection. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another holds that her name may be locative, derived from a place named Baset. A third contends that her name was Pasch long before that, from which we derive the word “passion” via the Latin “pati.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Though Bastet and Sekhmet couldn’t be more different in character, they do have a lot in common. Both began as leonine deities and fierce warriors, associated with the sun. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
They’re also daughters of Ra and wives of Ptah, though Sekhmet is said to be the mother of Nefertum. There’s some dispute over who is the mother of Ptah’s son Maahes — some sources say it’s Sekhmet, while others claim it’s Bastet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bastet is also associated with the Eye of Ra. This figure is simultaneously a depiction (or extension) of Ra’s power, but also an independent entity itself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Eye of Ra is a feminine counterpart to the Sun God, who is procreative and protective, but can also be highly vengeful and aggressive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bastet encompasses both the aggressive and gentle aspects of the Eye. She is also said to shine on the realm of the dead, granting the deceased safe passage through it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the third millennium BCE, Bastet was shown as either a lioness or a lioness-headed woman. Over time, her image softened. About two thousand years later, she was being widely depicted with the features of a domestic cat instead. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Where Sekhmet remained the aggressive and bloodthirsty lioness, Bastet is playful, procreative, and maternal, associated more with enjoyment, sensuality, and fertility than anger. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
That said, she can also be aggressive when it’s warranted, and has been depicted as a protectress against evil spirits and disease.<\/p>\n\n\n\n