Lunar Rain: Designing the Moon Cat Locket

Bastet: The Beloved Cat Goddess of Ancient Egypt

The Moon Cat Locket was inspired by Bastet, the ancient Egyptian goddess. Bastet, also known as Bast, occupies a significant place in ancient Egyptian religion as a multifaceted goddess associated with protection, fertility, music, and domestic harmony. She is most frequently represented as a woman with the head of a cat, embodying both the nurturing and vigilant qualities that cats were believed to possess. Over time, her character evolved from that of a fierce protector to a gentler guardian of households and femininity.

In addition to her more widely recognized roles, Bastet held a symbolic connection to the moon. This lunar association enhanced her identity as a deity of mystery, intuition, and the cyclical nature of life. Cats, revered for their nocturnal behaviour and quiet observation, were naturally linked to the night and the moon’s phases. Bastet’s lunar aspect further emphasized her association with feminine rhythms, including fertility and childbirth, and distinguished her as a celestial presence in ancient Egypt.

Bastet was especially venerated as a guardian of women and children, believed to ward off illness and malevolent forces. Her cult centre was located in Bubastis in the Nile Delta, where a grand temple complex was constructed in her honour. The annual Feast of Bastet held at Bubastis was one of the most elaborate festivals in the Egyptian calendar, attracting pilgrims from across the country. These celebrations involved music, dancing, offerings, and river processions, reflecting the goddess’s association with joy, abundance, and communal harmony.

Cats, regarded as sacred to Bastet, were highly esteemed in Egyptian households. They were often adorned with jewellery and treated as members of the family. To harm a cat was considered a grave offense, and the death of a cat would be met with public mourning. Numerous cat cemeteries, particularly around Bubastis, bear witness to the deep spiritual connection between Bastet, cats, and the people of Egypt. Many of these cats were mummified as votive offerings, signifying the reverence in which the goddess was held.

Behind the Design: Lunar Rain’s Moon Cat Locket

The overall structure of the Moon Cat Locket was inspired by a unique combination of antique jewellery designs. Our designer, Melissa, collected and studied antique and vintage jewellery for ten years before launching our brand, Lunar Rain. As a result, she selectively combined, modified and enhanced several antique design concepts when creating the Moon Cat Locket.

The faceted cabochon shape can be found on antique Fabergé eggs, such as the one pictured below on the right. The main gemstone forms a portion of the egg—and now, our cat—while appearing beautifully reflective and precious. Surprisingly, this amethyst Fabergé egg does not open, unlike many other Fabergé eggs. 

The idea of using cabochons to form parts of animals can be traced back to the Victorian era, when fob pendants resembling the heads of horses, dogs, and other animals were decorated with cabochons at the base of the neck. However, our designer chose to use the main cabochon as part of the cat’s head instead of placing it at the neck. She felt that the abrupt stop at the base of the neck, as seen in antique fob pendants, gave the uncomfortable impression that the animal had been decapitated. To avoid this, she omitted the neck entirely on all our new locket designs. The result is a cat that appears very much alive and alert, with glittering eyes.

Below are examples of antique Victorian animal fob pendants.

The concept of using quartz in lockets can also be found in Victorian-era examples. A stunning Victorian quartz locket is shown below on the right, beside our new Bear Compass Locket, which features a similar quartz dome.

The moon and stars inside the pendant are a nod to Bastet. At the same time, they use the rose quartz’s transparency to add hidden intrigue. When the locket is closed, the outlines of the moon and stars are subtly visible through the gem-grade rose quartz, suggesting hidden beauty within the piece. Upon opening the locket, lively, diamond-studded stars and a crescent moon are revealed. Melissa decided to add these celestial details after realizing that it would be a missed opportunity not to create a custom gold gemstone backing that visually tells the story of the piece.

Inspired by the ancient Egyptians, our Moon Cat Locket was designed as a symbol of humanity’s enduring love and devotion to cats through the ages. We hope cat lovers around the world will feel our love for cats through this new design.

Xoxo, with lots of meows –
Miso