Throughout human history, religions have included a variety of deities of all shapes, sizes, and dispositions. Since many of the earliest belief systems uncovered by anthropologists heavily involved elements from the natural world, it comes as no surprise that animals have often played a huge part in worship. Zoolatry, or the act of animal worship, is when a specific animal holds spiritual weight in the eyes of followers. From cats to bears to pigs, plenty of beasts have seen special treatment due to being favored by worshipers.
Unlike instances where gods and goddesses have taken the form of an animal for one reason or another, zoolatry is typically about showing reverence and honor to specific beasts. These animals aren’t deities themselves, merely associated with holy concepts.
A Whale of a Tale
The ocean has long been a mystery to the human race. In fact, scientists believe more is known about the moon than what’s within the murky depths of the Earth’s seas. Back in mankind’s earliest days, the ocean was as challenging as it was confusing. When a creature like a whale would suddenly break through the surface of the water, plenty of people scattered about the planet assumed the mammal to be sent by the heavens. In Japan, evidence suggests groups would hunt whales for food and hold great ceremonies paying homage to the whale for its gift of sustenance.
Further findings have shown that whale bones were given the same treatment as human remains in terms of ceremony and burial. A number of shrines throughout Japan were said to house whale bones, a gesture suggesting the overall importance of the whale in spiritual circles.
More Than a House Cat
The belief that Ancient Egyptians worshiped cats is one most people are familiar with in modern times. However, there are many instances of felines holding positions of power. The Ashanti people of Africa, in what is now Ghana, are said to have had many significant laws surrounding the protection and worship of the leopard. One particular restriction stated that anyone who knowingly killed a leopard was at risk for being put to death. Others who hunted leopards were to be publicly shamed and derided for their crimes against the spirit world.
The worship of the leopard was quite widespread across Africa. In the former Kingdom of Loango, special ceremonies were held when a leopard died. The royal cap of a prince would be placed on the deceased cat’s head, and dances to honor the leopard would be conducted as a funeral rite.
Look Toward the Sky
Beasts of the land and sea are far from the only animals that have seen worship over the millennia. Hawks have also been quite important in a number of belief systems. In Borneo, tribes once believed that the hawk was the direct messenger to the most important of gods. A number of rituals involved consulting with a hawk for guidance, and the killing of the bird was outright forbidden across a number of groups in North Borneo.
A True Best Friend
Dogs have been domesticated in some capacity for longer than written history allows. While the worship of dogs is very uncommon, they do hold a special place in Nepali Hinduism. The people of Nepal believe dogs to be the messengers of the god of death. When a person dies, he or she will encounter dogs guarding the gates of heaven. To ensure passing, people show respect and kindness to dogs in life.
Zoolatry: In Review
While the natural world can often seem simply a part of the background, there was a time when the human race made every decision based on the environment. Looking at examples of zoolatry uncovers an era when the mystery and majesty of the animal kingdom inspired more than a little awe.