Bastet (she of the ointment-jar) was a cat goddess who was a representation of the sun and the eye of Ra and protector of pregnant women. She was originally a fierce and violent lioness named Sekhmet, but her image changed to a cat as domestic cats became a bigger part of Egyptian life and the mythology of the goddess softened. The border incorporates both sides of her, as well as other symbols associated with the goddess. The hieroglyphics along the top read Sekhmet/Bastet respectively, alongside the ankh (key of life), feather of Ma’at (justice), and the symbol for cat. A scarab beetle is in the center, a symbol of the cycle of life. On the bottom the eye of Ra is in the center, with the ankh and a symbol of a sistrum, an instrument associated with the goddess. Bastet was a manifestation of the sun, and the sun is usually displayed as a disk behind her head, also as a symbol of divinity, although the Wadjet cobra is omitted. Both Bastet and the woman with her wear menat necklaces, intricately beaded pieces of jewelry, also symbols of protection.
I chose Bastet because when I was a mythology and cat-obsessed kid she was my favourite. And I thought I might branch out because I’ve done Norse mythology illustrations before lmao