Kitteh hath proclaimed it

[Lorien]

it is so.

[Taverner]

1. Yeh! Freedum Kitteh!

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

2. Kitteh is in a good place.

The Egyptians once worshiped cats.

[Solomon]

14. Not really true, but hey, ...

My brother-in-law, a fundy christian, was always saying this. So I asked him why he thought so. He referred to all the cat sculptures. As we were riding around DC with all the statues of buffaloes and lions and whatnot, I asked him, do you think people 5 thousand years from now will say we worshipped buffaloes and lions when they see these statues?

Admiring the qualities that certain animals possess is not the same as worshipping them.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

15. Perhaps the better term would be "revered."

There was, however, the cat cult of the goddess Bastet; some cat worshiping was going on. Still is. My cats require it.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

27. It is written that cats adopted ancient Egyptians. nt

[csziggy]

29. Ancient Egyptians revered cats so much they killed & mummified millions of them

In fact, some places, it was an industry, killing and mummifying animals for offerings.

Egyptian Animals Were Mummified Same Way as Humans
James Owen in England
for National Geographic News
September 15, 2004

The ancient Egyptians mummified more than just human corpses. Animals were viewed not only as pets, but as incarnations of gods. As such, the Egyptians buried millions of mummified cats, birds, and other creatures at temples honoring their deities.

<SNIP>

He said the vast majority of these animals were mummified because of their link with ancient Egyptian gods.

For example, cats were seen as the incarnation of Bastet, goddess of music and joy and protector of women. The Apis bull, a sacred animal to the Egyptians, came to be known as the incarnation of Osiris, god of embalming and cemeteries. Likewise, ancient Egyptians associated hawks with Horus (the god of light), ibises with Thoth (the god of wisdom and learning), and so on.

"If a sacred animal was mummified and formally presented to a god, that was a sign of devotion on the part of someone making a pilgrimage to a temple," Taylor explained. "You could come along and pay to have an animal dedicated in your name, and then the priests would bury them in a large cemetery."

Many of these animals were killed deliberately, with x-rays revealing, for instance, that huge numbers of cats found in temple cemeteries had their necks broken while still relatively young.

More: http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/09/0915_040915_petmummies.html

[Lorien]

40. They have a fairly mixed history in Egypt:

Cats were treated as gods, and were protected by law, as well. The punishment for harming or killing a cat was harsh (Wolf, 1997). Diodorus Siculus said:

Whoever kills a cat in Egypt is condemned to death, whether he committed this crime deliberately or not. The people gather and kill him. An unfortunate Roman, who accidentally killed a cat, could not be saved, either by King Ptolemy of Egypt or by the fear which Rome inspired. (Qtd. in Preserved for Posterity, 1997)

There were also laws forbidding the exportation of cats. However, Phoenician traders often smuggled them out and sold them to the Mediterranean countries (Coll, 1997). Armies were even sent out to recapture cats from foreign lands. The Egyptians were so devoted to their cats that they even surrendered to the Persians, due to their beloved cats. When the Egyptians were at war with the Persians and the Egyptians were wearing down the Persian army, a Persian general came up with a plan. Because he knew of the great love and reverence with which the Egyptians treated their cats, he ordered his soldiers to capture as many cats as possible from the city. When they had enough, they returned to the city of Pelusium and lined up for battle. When the dust cleared, the Egyptians were horrified at the number of their terrified cats that were running over the battlefield. Rather than harm the cats, they surrendered the city to the Persians without a fight. It was a devastating loss for the Egyptians (Coll, 1997).

In another example of the Egyptian's devotion to their cats, Herodotus relates that when a fire broke out in Egypt, the men would stand in a line to prevent harm to the cats, thinking more of that than extinguishing the fire. Even so, Herodotus noted, "the cats slip through or leap over the men and leap into the fire." (Chapter 66, 3) It can be assumed that this is hyperbole, and that most cats would not rush towards a blazing fire. This statement, however, made hundreds of years later in Greece, does show the understanding of the importance of cats to Egyptians.

http://www.richeast.org/htwm/cats/cats.html

[csziggy]

46. When you consider how long a recorded history Egypt has had

It's not surprising it is mixed. It was not homogenous the entire length of the time we know about, though often people talk as if it were. Think of the vast changes we have had in religious and cultural practices in the 500 years we've lived on the North American continent, then think of the thousands of years and numerous dynasties and regimes there have been in Egypt and it is foolish to consider their entire history as one religion or one culture being dominant.

[Lorien]

48. Indeed! nt

[Mojeoux]

95. That's what I'm sayin'!

This is no fly by night, Johnny come lately culture. This is Egypt. They are proud of their great land and rightfully so.
I feel the vibe and I see it in the fierce integrity of the young faces.

I see it in Freedom Kitteh's Eyes!!

[ChiciB1]

119. Well, The September/October Edition Of Archaeology Magazine Has

a lengthy article ALL ABOUT DOGS! So dogs were also very important and revered in Egypt according to this article! But it also included Rome, Peru, China and other countries too. Anyway, a fascinating read.

[madmax]

110. lol

[femrap]

55. See #36 below. nt

[Matariki]

68. Bastet.

Look it up.

[Mojeoux]

94. So sweet that you can tell this guy LOVES his kitteh!!!!

Bastet, OK I'm looking it up right now.
Thanx M

[malaise]

3. So freaking cute

Love it

[shanti]

77. the kitteh or the guy?

hee!

[Rockholm]

102. Dude's not bad. Kitteh's adorable, but can't spell.

Surprised the spell check police aren't all over this one.

[FailureToCommunicate]

105. Many signs there have "Mubark" spelled thus. Must be how it's translated

perhaps?
They would know.

[MilesColtrane]

108. Varied spellings for anglicised languages are common.

[Kadie]

4. That kitteh means business.

What a look on his face.

:)

[Lorien]

18. Very serious revolutionary kitteh

the "Che" of kittehs?

[bleever]

5. "I can haz freedum."

:)

[Rhiannon12866]

82. +1

:thumbsup: :D

[snagglepuss]

85. lol

:thumbsup:

[hlthe2b]

6. I LOVE it....

they aren't generally so fond of dogs, unfortunately and always wondered at my obsession.

[roguevalley]

7. I don't know which is cuter, the kitteh or the cute young man. BRAVO,

KITTEH POWER!

[hlthe2b]

8. You noticed...

;) Ahh, Egyptian men...

[stuntcat]

73. he's all dreamy...

And couldn't go to the march without his cat, that's cute too!

[gratuitous]

9. Misspelling on the sign

Should read "NO MOBARK". It's really an anti-canine thing.

[Codeine]

11. LMAO!!

:rofl: :yourock:

[gateley]

26. Haha! nt

[Contrary1]

32. +++ A Brazillion!

[The Doctor.]

76. First thing I saw.

Dang Kitteh overlords will rule this world.

[gratuitous]

83. "Will" hoomin?

{Kitteh brain waves schedule The Doctor. for an ass-kicking courtesy of Skittles}

[The Doctor.]

91. deh hoomin needz cuddlez!

(Kitteh overlord spehk)

[Codeine]

10. I haz an ouster. nt

[Arugula Latte]

89. ...

:thumbsup:

[SoCalDem]

12. Did you see the guy this AM with a chicken?

and another one who said "My dog is smiling for freedom" :rofl:

[Dappleganger]

13. Power to the Kittens!

:headbang:

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

16. They can haz freedom but would still prefer cheezburgers.

[GoCubsGo]

17. A very brave kitteh.

My kitties would freak out if they were brought out into a crowd like that.

[GoCubsGo]

19. P.S.

Thanks for the photo, Lorien. I always enjoy pictures of hunky men with their kitties.

[Lorien]

41. ...

:-)

[blogslut]

20. And he word a Tuxedo!

White tie and tails :)

[uppityperson]

21. k&r

[MNBrewer]

22. is that kitteh related to Christiane Aman-Purr?

[DangerousRhythm]

53. MEOW!

:D

[snagglepuss]

86. Brilliant.

lol

[WilliamPitt]

23. HA!

So great. :)

[vlad]

30. Manah manah...

manah manah...

[WilliamPitt]

38. .

:rofl:

[gateley]

24. The cat looks absolutely regal - and I think the young man looks so soulful. Beautiful photo. nt

[Missy Vixen]

25. I can haz freedom

Now THIS photo needs to be on a t-shirt. After all, is there any other place for Freedom Kitteh?

:woohoo:

[madmax]

112. +1

[Thunderstruck]

28. I iz sittysin kitteh. I iz power full. I iz free.

[Contrary1]

31. All bow to the awesome power of the kitteh!

:applause:

K&R

[ReggieVeggie]

33. that is one cool kitteh

love its expression

[Blue Owl]

34. Don't tread on that kitteh

n/t

[Jamastiene]

35. That is absolutely beautiful.

K&R

[femrap]

36. I love this!!!

Wish I could Rec it a 1000 times.

Didn't the kitteh save Egypt thousands of years ago? There was a drought and the rats were eating their stored grains.....kittehs to the rescue.

Beautiful sculptures of kittehs from Egypt.

This is just a precious picture. Big 'macho-looking' dude w/ a cat...why do I doubt this would happen in our culture?

Thank you so much for posting this picture.

[yesphan]

37. Kitteh loves new freedom

and Egyptian Tom Hanks.

[Maru Kitteh]

117. "And Egyptian Tom Hanks"

YES!

[Jack Rabbit]

39. Where's Keyboard Cat to play off Mubarak?

Just wondering.

[bullwinkle428]

42. Kitty's facial expression is off the charts!

:applause:

[silverweb]

43. Kittehs rule.

It was in ancient Egypt that cats realized their indispensability and came to be worshipped.

In modern times, they insist on their treasured independence, so naturally would favor the same dignity for their favored humans.

One of my cats is named Isadore, which means "gift of Isis." He knows he is, since he chose me as well as his name, and he looks/acts the part.

[CatWoman]

44. just made this my desktop photo

:)

[slackmaster]

45. Now I have to blow my nose

:rofl:

[Hotler]

47. That should be on the cover of Time magazine. n/t

[silverweb]

49. Yes!

Official mascot of the new Egyptian government? Emmisary of the Goddess Bast, at the very least!

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

56. But it has to look something like this:

[Arugula Latte]

90. *Melt*

:loveya:

[myrna minx]

50. Iz marching in Tahrir Square toppling ur goverment.

:rofl: I love it. LOL kittehs are *everywhere*. They are legion.

[Matariki]

70. Oh ha!

"Iz marching in Tahrir Square toppling ur goverment." :rofl:

[Lorien]

51. Revolution kitteh takes a freedom nap:

and dreams of peace



Photos by Sarah Rifaat: http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarahrifaat/5426003967/

[myrna minx]

52. I love this kitteh.

:loveya:

[silverweb]

54. Awwwwwwww....

Successful revolution deserves sweet kitteh dreams!

[blondeatlast]

69. I cn haz strdum! Freedum kitteh RULZ! nt

[stuntcat]

71. protests make kittehs tired

he showed up tho, that's what counts!

TY for the flickr link

[Hissyspit]

96. Yay, America!

She has some great pictures on there.

[Hissyspit]

98. There are some great photos on there:

[BrklynLiberal]

116. awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww

Great pics!! So many signs in English!!

[Rex]

57. Now it is official, the prince of egypt is displeased.

That seals the deal.

[Liberal_in_LA]

58. lol. Great pic

[pam4water]

59. That cat has never had a cheeseburger D:

[janet118]

60. tell it, kitty!

[emilyg]

61. Meow power.

[DinahMoeHum]

62. By Great Bast. . .

a new dawn for Egypt has begun.

Bast-Ra Kitteh hath spoken.

[TBF]

63. That is one cool cat. K&R nt

[yodermon]

64. "muBARK" lol

[Lorien]

72. Revulooshun Kitteh not liek hooman spelz.

;-)

[Alameda]

65. Ha, a kitten with a Zorro mask! Purrrfect

[stuntcat]

66. Wow!!!

GREAT photo!

[ellie]

67. Kitteh!

[Hissyspit]

74. Ceiling Cat approves.

[DRoseDARs]

75. No Mubar(a)k, Yes Mewbarak. n/t

[MrMickeysMom]

78. What's that, kitteh?...

...
"LISTEN TO THE EGYPTIAN KITTEH?"

[suffragette]

79. Love it!

[Maraya1969]

80. How adorable!!! And the kitten's cute too.

[Patchuli]

81. LOVE IT! Egyptian Cattitude!! Wooooooooot! nt

[delightfulstar]

84. My kittehs all approve!

They always respect their fellow kittehs from the ancestral homeland. ;)

[snagglepuss]

87. Catagorical mewtiny.

:loveya:

[Ken Burch]

88. "I Can Haz Revolution"?

n/t.

[BobTheSubgenius]

92. .

edited for lameness

[cliffordu]

93. Awwwww....Looks just like my kitteh,

(I however, am not NEARLY as handsome as that bastid.....)

I likes the Tuxedo Terrors.

[davidinalameda]

114. he looks like my Theodore

[NuclearDem]

97. wevowution? but i no has fweas :(

[Hissyspit]

99. Kitteh is on the Fwontline.

[NuclearDem]

100. Fwontwine of fweedom!

[stuntcat]

104. :roffles:

:rofl: :rofl: x 10000000000

[Buzz Clik]

101. That cat looks pissed off.

And a touch hungry.

[FailureToCommunicate]

103. Who would think to bring your kitten to protest in the streets?!?

This shows maybe...

Freedom's just another word for
Nothing left to lose

Tahya Masr!
Egypt is free!

Congrats to the people!

[WinkyDink]

106. That IS one awesome cat! Majestic!

[Zephie]

107. Sekmet finally taking a break as Bastet

From warrior with the people of Egypt to loving companion. Cats are amazing.

[cali]

109. that is such a great pic!

[Inuca]

111. What a resolute looking kitty! n/t

[Faryn Balyncd]

113. arf!

K&R



:hi:

[BrklynLiberal]

115. How FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Faryn Balyncd]

118. So what happened to the photo link?

[Lorien]

120. It's still there, but you can also see the photo here:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sarahrifaat/5426003967/

[ReggieVeggie]

121. kitteh kick

[Fire Walk With Me]

122. Internet-savvy revolutionist courts international support for cause.

Wins :)

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

123. This could be the best kitteh thread in the history of DU.

Hail Bastet! Power to the kitteh!

[Lorien]

124. First time that I know of that one made it to the top of the greatest list

but I guess there haven't been many determined revolutionary freedom kitties in the past. ;-)

[ReggieVeggie]

125. kick