The Egyptians were among the first people to make strict rules about behavior in sacred places. One of their most important religious laws was that men should not have contact with women before entering temples. If such contact had taken place, a man was required to wash himself before entering a sacred space. This act of washing was not only about physical cleanliness but also about spiritual purity.
Many other nations followed very different customs. With the exception of the Greeks and the Egyptians, most peoples believed that humans were not bound by special rules in this matter. They argued that humans were no different from animals in this respect. These nations pointed out that many animals and birds could be seen mating inside temples or sacred areas, and they believed this would not happen if the gods were displeased. According to them, nature itself proved that such actions were acceptable General Characteristics of the Crocodile.
Despite these arguments, this practice was strongly disapproved of. The Egyptians, in particular, believed that sacred places required strict discipline and respect. They were extremely careful about anything related to their temples and religious buildings.
Sacred Animals in Egypt
Although Egypt lies close to Libya, it is not a land full of wild animals. However, the animals that do live in Egypt, whether wild or domesticated, are all considered sacred. Each type of animal is dedicated to a specific god. The reasons for this devotion are deeply religious, and for that reason they are not explained in detail here.
Guardians of the Sacred Animals
For every kind of sacred animal, special guardians are appointed. These guardians can be either men or women, and their duty is to care for the animals. This responsibility is highly respected and is passed down from father to son. Being a guardian of sacred animals is considered an honor and a religious duty.
Vows and Offerings to the Gods
When people in different cities make a vow to a god, they fulfill it by offering something connected to that god’s sacred animals. The process follows a clear tradition. When a vow is made, the head of a child is shaved. Sometimes all the hair is cut off, and sometimes only half or one third is removed Private Turkey Tours.
The hair is then weighed on a balance against silver. The amount of silver equal to the weight of the hair is given to the guardian of the sacred animals. With this silver, the guardian buys fish, cuts it up, and feeds it to the animals. Fish is the main food given to these sacred creatures.
Laws Concerning Harm to Sacred Animals
The Egyptians had very strict laws to protect sacred animals. If a person killed one of these animals on purpose, the punishment was death. If the animal was killed by accident, the person was required to pay a fine. The amount of the fine was decided by the priests.
However, some animals were considered even more sacred than others. If a person killed an ibis or a hawk, the punishment was death in every case. It did not matter whether the act was intentional or accidental.
Respect for the Sacred Order
These customs show how deeply the Egyptians respected their religious laws. Purity, discipline, and care for sacred animals were central parts of their belief system. Every rule was designed to maintain harmony between humans, animals, and the gods.
