The Mozart Effect, a concept that suggests listening to Mozart's music can temporarily improve cognitive performance, has been a topic of interest in recent research.

Studies have investigated the impact of Mozart's music on cognitive tasks, including spatial reasoning, but the results are not conclusive.

A recent study found that listening to background classical music, including Mozart, while performing memory tasks neither improves nor impairs learning levels among people with mild cognitive impairment.

However, the study also found that listening to "high-arousal" music may have a positive effect on people who are accustomed to using music as an emotional regulator in their everyday lives.

Another study dispelled the myth that Mozart's music, specifically his major sonata KV448, can alleviate the symptoms of epilepsy.

The results of these studies suggest that the Mozart Effect may be more complex than previously thought and may depend on individual differences and how music is listened to.

The research also highlights the importance of considering interindividual parameters when investigating the impact of music on cognitive performance.

Overall, the current evidence does not support the idea that listening to Mozart's music, including his Sonata for Two Pianos in D Major, can temporarily improve cognitive performance.

Further research is needed to fully understand the relationship between music and cognitive function.

The Mozart Effect, a concept that suggests listening to Mozart's music can temporarily improve cognitive performance, has been a topic of interest in recent research.

Title:

Content: 4/25/23 · Research

The beneficial effects of music on memory may depend on how it is listened to

The initial results of the study of the 'Mozart effect' on neurodegeneration show that listening to classical music in the background has no benefits for learning
The research has been carried out with people experiencing mild cognitive impairment, and it did find individual differences when listening to 'high-arousal' music

Listening to 'high-arousal' music could have a positive effect on memory for people who are accustomed to using music as an emotional regulator (Image: Clem Onojeghuo, Unsplash)

Given the lack of effective treatments to counteract cognitive impairment, background music has traditionally been proposed as a possible therapeutic alternative for improving memory-related tasks. Its effect has long been the focus of debate, but this relationship has now been found to be possibly determined by new interindividual parameters, which means that it may be more complex than was previously thought. This is shown by research led by Marco Calabria, a researcher in the Cognitive Neurolab group of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), who is now considering new experiments.

The initial results of the Mozart effect and memory in patients with cognitive impairment (MEM-COG) study, funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, suggest that listening to background classical music while performing memory tasks neither improves nor impairs learning levels among people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). However, listening to more 'high-arousal' music was found to have a possible positive effect on people who are accustomed to using music as an emotional regulator in their everyday lives, which suggests there is potential for further hypotheses and research.

The study, which has been published as open access in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, was carried out with patients at the neuropsychology unit of Barcelona's Hospital de Sant Pau, and involved researchers at the hospital, Montreal's Concordia University and Madrid's Gregorio Marañón Health Research Institute.

There is no universal effect

"We found no general impact concerning the effect of music in terms of whether it had positive or negative effects on learning in cases of MCI, but we did find that it would be modulated for each individual. If people regularly use music as an emotional regulator in their daily life, such as to help them remain calm or for company, they will find it easier to obtain further benefits from music when they have to learn something new," explained Calabria, who has a PhD in Psychobiology.

The subjects of the study were people with mild amnestic cognitive impairment, i.e. they have memory problems as a result of an onset of neurodegeneration that is more specific in the parts of the brain dealing with aspects of learning and memory. The experiments consisted of observing 24 photographs of human faces. Participants were instructed to memorize them, and 10 minutes later, they were asked to look at a new series containing the previous 24 images and 24 new ones, in order to attempt to identify the ones that they had already seen.

A classical choice

The first test was performed with the subjects listening to classical music in the information consolidation phase but not in the recovery phase, while in the second exercise it was repeated with the auditory stimulus during both phases. However, no significant differences were observed in terms of results.

Classical music was used in these exercises because "it's a type of music that falls between relaxing and arousing, and has proven to be the most effective for enhancing memory". Furthermore, the fact that it is instrumental reduces the interference (that can come from lyrics) with the content that the participants have to learn in the memory task.

A ray of light

However, Calabria's team wanted to carry out a third experiment using popular music which was considered arousing rather than relaxing, and after a preliminary study, they used an instrumental version of Un rayo de sol (A ray of light), by the group Los Diablos. In that experiment, according to Calabria, the results suggested that "the use of music as a strategy for mood regulation is associated with better performance in memory tasks."

Ongoing research

This finding opens up the possibility of further research to continue exploring the role of interindividual preferences and attitudes towards music among patients with MCI. The group plans to continue the project until late 2024.

During this time, it will investigate whether background music could be more useful in other cognitive domains, such as in attention and concentration in patients with Parkinson's disease. The experiments will also involve the use of a new infrared spectroscopy device in the Neuro Lab, one of the recently opened new laboratories at the UOC, which will show the activation at the cerebral level while cognitive processes are taking place. This will help to determine whether or not there are any alterations in the brain's modulation, in which areas this takes place, and whether it depends on the type of person studied, regardless of the level of response to music.

In overall terms, this will help to find a type of marker which determines the people most likely to benefit from music in cognitive tasks. "The more we know about how background music shapes cognitive processes, the better the use we can make of music as a therapeutic tool in cognitive stimulation," concluded Calabria, an expert in the study of cognitive processes and a member of teaching staff on the UOC's Master's Degree in Neuropsychology.

This research project receives funding from the Ministry of Science and Innovation of the Government of Spain, and contributes to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number 3, Good health and well-being.

Reference article:

Calabria, Marco et al. 'Background Music and Memory in Mild Cognitive Impairment: The Role of Interindividual Differences'. 1 Jan. 2023: 815 – 829. DOI: 10.3233/JAD-221051

Press contact

Sònia Armengou Casanovas
sarmengouc@uoc.edu
+34 619 413 823

UOC R&I

The UOC's research and innovation (R&I) is helping overcome pressing challenges faced by global societies in the 21st century by studying interactions between technology and human & social sciences with a specific focus on the network society, e-learning and e-health.

Over 500 researchers and more than 50 research groups work in the UOC's seven faculties, its eLearning Research programme and its two research centres: the Internet Interdisciplinary Institute (IN3) and the eHealth Center (eHC).

The university also develops online learning innovations at its eLearning Innovation Center (eLinC), as well as UOC community entrepreneurship and knowledge transfer via the Hubbik platform.

Open knowledge and the goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development serve as strategic pillars for the UOC's teaching, research and innovation. More information: research.uoc.edu.

Experts UOC

Press contact

You may also be interested in…

Most popular

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Studies have investigated the impact of Mozart's music on cognitive tasks, including spatial reasoning, but the results are not conclusive.

A recent study found that listening to background classical music, including Mozart, while performing memory tasks neither improves nor impairs learning levels among people with mild cognitive impairment.

However, the study also found that listening to "high-arousal" music may have a positive effect on people who are accustomed to using music as an emotional regulator in their everyday lives.

Another study dispelled the myth that Mozart's music, specifically his major sonata KV448, can alleviate the symptoms of epilepsy.

Title:

Content: Gazeta.ru on desktop
for quick access
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Scientists have dispelled the myth that Mozart ’ s music helps with epilepsy
Scientists from the University of Vienna have dispelled the myth that Mozart ’ s major sonata KV448 can alleviate the symptoms of epilepsy.
The results of the study are presented in the journal Scientific Reports.
According to the authors of the work, they could not find evidence of the above theory.
In the past, it was believed that Mozart ’ s music had many positive effects on a person, for example, it increases the intelligence of the fetus if a pregnant woman listened to it.
Recently, a number of studies have shown that KV448 sonata alleviates symptoms in patients with epilepsy.
In their work, scientists analyzed these studies, as well as other scientific literature.
As it turned out, there is no reliable evidence of the beneficial effect of the melody.
According to the authors, erroneous results could have been obtained due to selective reporting and small samples.
Share:
Downloading
Found a bug?
Close

The results of these studies suggest that the Mozart Effect may be more complex than previously thought and may depend on individual differences and how music is listened to.

The research also highlights the importance of considering interindividual parameters when investigating the impact of music on cognitive performance.

Overall, the current evidence does not support the idea that listening to Mozart's music, including his Sonata for Two Pianos in D Major, can temporarily improve cognitive performance.

Further research is needed to fully understand the relationship between music and cognitive function.


The Mozart Effect is a concept that suggests listening to Mozart's music can temporarily improve cognitive performance, especially in spatial reasoning tasks.

This idea has been debated and researched extensively, with some studies supporting its validity and others questioning its effectiveness.

Recent research, led by Marco Calabria, a researcher in the Cognitive Neurolab group of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), has shed new light on the Mozart Effect.

The initial results of the Mozart effect and memory in patients with cognitive impairment (MEM-COG) study, funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, suggest that listening to background classical music while performing memory tasks neither improves nor impairs learning levels among people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

However, the study found that listening to more 'high-arousal' music was found to have a possible positive effect on people who are accustomed to using music as an emotional regulator in their everyday lives.

This finding suggests that the Mozart Effect may be more complex than previously thought, and that individual differences play a significant role in its effectiveness.

Another study, published in Scientific Reports, found that Mozart's music had no beneficial effect on patients with epilepsy, contradicting previous claims.

The researchers analyzed existing studies and found no reliable evidence to support the claim that Mozart's music alleviates symptoms in patients with epilepsy.

This study highlights the importance of rigorous research and data-driven analysis in understanding the Mozart Effect.

In contrast, a review of a piano concerto performance noted the unique contribution of each instrumental sonority to the overall sound, and the relation between the instrumental sonorities and the solo piano work.

The reviewer also noted the intensity and ferocity of the passages, which suggests that Mozart's music can evoke strong emotions and reactions.

However, this review does not provide empirical evidence to support the Mozart Effect, and its findings are subjective and anecdotal.

A program featuring Mozart's K. 491 piano concerto and K. 504 symphony was praised for its adventurousness and the complementarity of the two pieces.

The program was noted for its dramatic qualities and the listener's curiosity about other works in the Mozart catalog.

However, this review also does not provide empirical evidence to support the Mozart Effect, and its findings are subjective and anecdotal.

A study on concert arias, including Mozart's K. 505, found that the dramatic qualities of the interpretations left the listener curious about other works in the Mozart catalog.

However, this study does not provide empirical evidence to support the Mozart Effect, and its findings are subjective and anecdotal.

In conclusion, the Mozart Effect is a complex and multifaceted concept that requires further research and data-driven analysis to fully understand its effectiveness.

While some studies suggest that listening to Mozart's music can have a positive effect on cognitive performance, others have found no beneficial effect.

Individual differences, such as the use of music as an emotional regulator, may play a significant role in the effectiveness of the Mozart Effect.

Therefore, it is essential to approach the Mozart Effect with a critical and nuanced perspective, recognizing both its potential benefits and limitations.

The Mozart Effect is a concept that suggests listening to Mozart's music can temporarily improve cognitive performance, especially in spatial reasoning tasks.

This idea has been debated and researched extensively, with some studies supporting its validity and others questioning its effectiveness.

Title:

Content: 4/25/23 · Research

The beneficial effects of music on memory may depend on how it is listened to

The initial results of the study of the 'Mozart effect' on neurodegeneration show that listening to classical music in the background has no benefits for learning
The research has been carried out with people experiencing mild cognitive impairment, and it did find individual differences when listening to 'high-arousal' music

Listening to 'high-arousal' music could have a positive effect on memory for people who are accustomed to using music as an emotional regulator (Image: Clem Onojeghuo, Unsplash)

Given the lack of effective treatments to counteract cognitive impairment, background music has traditionally been proposed as a possible therapeutic alternative for improving memory-related tasks. Its effect has long been the focus of debate, but this relationship has now been found to be possibly determined by new interindividual parameters, which means that it may be more complex than was previously thought. This is shown by research led by Marco Calabria, a researcher in the Cognitive Neurolab group of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), who is now considering new experiments.

The initial results of the Mozart effect and memory in patients with cognitive impairment (MEM-COG) study, funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, suggest that listening to background classical music while performing memory tasks neither improves nor impairs learning levels among people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). However, listening to more 'high-arousal' music was found to have a possible positive effect on people who are accustomed to using music as an emotional regulator in their everyday lives, which suggests there is potential for further hypotheses and research.

The study, which has been published as open access in the Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, was carried out with patients at the neuropsychology unit of Barcelona's Hospital de Sant Pau, and involved researchers at the hospital, Montreal's Concordia University and Madrid's Gregorio Marañón Health Research Institute.

There is no universal effect

"We found no general impact concerning the effect of music in terms of whether it had positive or negative effects on learning in cases of MCI, but we did find that it would be modulated for each individual. If people regularly use music as an emotional regulator in their daily life, such as to help them remain calm or for company, they will find it easier to obtain further benefits from music when they have to learn something new," explained Calabria, who has a PhD in Psychobiology.

The subjects of the study were people with mild amnestic cognitive impairment, i.e. they have memory problems as a result of an onset of neurodegeneration that is more specific in the parts of the brain dealing with aspects of learning and memory. The experiments consisted of observing 24 photographs of human faces. Participants were instructed to memorize them, and 10 minutes later, they were asked to look at a new series containing the previous 24 images and 24 new ones, in order to attempt to identify the ones that they had already seen.

A classical choice

The first test was performed with the subjects listening to classical music in the information consolidation phase but not in the recovery phase, while in the second exercise it was repeated with the auditory stimulus during both phases. However, no significant differences were observed in terms of results.

Classical music was used in these exercises because "it's a type of music that falls between relaxing and arousing, and has proven to be the most effective for enhancing memory". Furthermore, the fact that it is instrumental reduces the interference (that can come from lyrics) with the content that the participants have to learn in the memory task.

A ray of light

However, Calabria's team wanted to carry out a third experiment using popular music which was considered arousing rather than relaxing, and after a preliminary study, they used an instrumental version of Un rayo de sol (A ray of light), by the group Los Diablos. In that experiment, according to Calabria, the results suggested that "the use of music as a strategy for mood regulation is associated with better performance in memory tasks."

Ongoing research

This finding opens up the possibility of further research to continue exploring the role of interindividual preferences and attitudes towards music among patients with MCI. The group plans to continue the project until late 2024.

During this time, it will investigate whether background music could be more useful in other cognitive domains, such as in attention and concentration in patients with Parkinson's disease. The experiments will also involve the use of a new infrared spectroscopy device in the Neuro Lab, one of the recently opened new laboratories at the UOC, which will show the activation at the cerebral level while cognitive processes are taking place. This will help to determine whether or not there are any alterations in the brain's modulation, in which areas this takes place, and whether it depends on the type of person studied, regardless of the level of response to music.

In overall terms, this will help to find a type of marker which determines the people most likely to benefit from music in cognitive tasks. "The more we know about how background music shapes cognitive processes, the better the use we can make of music as a therapeutic tool in cognitive stimulation," concluded Calabria, an expert in the study of cognitive processes and a member of teaching staff on the UOC's Master's Degree in Neuropsychology.

This research project receives funding from the Ministry of Science and Innovation of the Government of Spain, and contributes to Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number 3, Good health and well-being.

Reference article:

Calabria, Marco et al. 'Background Music and Memory in Mild Cognitive Impairment: The Role of Interindividual Differences'. 1 Jan. 2023: 815 – 829. DOI: 10.3233/JAD-221051

Press contact

Sònia Armengou Casanovas
sarmengouc@uoc.edu
+34 619 413 823

UOC R&I

The UOC's research and innovation (R&I) is helping overcome pressing challenges faced by global societies in the 21st century by studying interactions between technology and human & social sciences with a specific focus on the network society, e-learning and e-health.

Over 500 researchers and more than 50 research groups work in the UOC's seven faculties, its eLearning Research programme and its two research centres: the Internet Interdisciplinary Institute (IN3) and the eHealth Center (eHC).

The university also develops online learning innovations at its eLearning Innovation Center (eLinC), as well as UOC community entrepreneurship and knowledge transfer via the Hubbik platform.

Open knowledge and the goals of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development serve as strategic pillars for the UOC's teaching, research and innovation. More information: research.uoc.edu.

Experts UOC

Press contact

You may also be interested in…

Most popular

See more on Research

Recent research, led by Marco Calabria, a researcher in the Cognitive Neurolab group of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), has shed new light on the Mozart Effect.

However, the study found that listening to more 'high-arousal' music was found to have a possible positive effect on people who are accustomed to using music as an emotional regulator in their everyday lives.

This finding suggests that the Mozart Effect may be more complex than previously thought, and that individual differences play a significant role in its effectiveness.

Another study, published in Scientific Reports, found that Mozart's music had no beneficial effect on patients with epilepsy, contradicting previous claims.

Title:

Content: Gazeta.ru on desktop
for quick access
Install
Not now
Scientists have dispelled the myth that Mozart ’ s music helps with epilepsy
Scientists from the University of Vienna have dispelled the myth that Mozart ’ s major sonata KV448 can alleviate the symptoms of epilepsy.
The results of the study are presented in the journal Scientific Reports.
According to the authors of the work, they could not find evidence of the above theory.
In the past, it was believed that Mozart ’ s music had many positive effects on a person, for example, it increases the intelligence of the fetus if a pregnant woman listened to it.
Recently, a number of studies have shown that KV448 sonata alleviates symptoms in patients with epilepsy.
In their work, scientists analyzed these studies, as well as other scientific literature.
As it turned out, there is no reliable evidence of the beneficial effect of the melody.
According to the authors, erroneous results could have been obtained due to selective reporting and small samples.
Share:
Downloading
Found a bug?
Close

The researchers analyzed existing studies and found no reliable evidence to support the claim that Mozart's music alleviates symptoms in patients with epilepsy.

This study highlights the importance of rigorous research and data-driven analysis in understanding the Mozart Effect.

In contrast, a review of a piano concerto performance noted the unique contribution of each instrumental sonority to the overall sound, and the relation between the instrumental sonorities and the solo piano work.

Title:

Content: Friday, February 11, 2022

PBO’s “Narrowband” Approach to Mozart

Last night in Herbst Theatre the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra (PBO), led by Music Director Richard Egarr, presented a program devoted entirely to music by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. The title of the program was Mozart the Radical, but there was just as much radicalism in Egarr’s approach to preparing the program. Three of the compositions were composed in the same year, 1786. In chronological order these were the K. 491 piano concerto in C minor, the K. 504 “Prague” symphony in D major, and the K. 505 “concert scene” for soprano voice and piano, which begins with the recitative “Ch’io mi scordi de te.” (When was the last time a program was prepared with successive entries from Ludwig Ritter von Köchel’s catalog?)

The remaining work was another concert scene, composed the following year while Mozart was preparing the premiere of his K. 527 Don Giovanni opera. The piece was the next entry in Köchel’s catalog, the K. 528 concert scene “Bella mia fiamma, addio.” The program thus almost constituted a “snapshot” of a very productive period in Mozart’s life.

The program was also adventurous in beginning with one of the only two piano concertos Mozart composed in a minor key. Indeed, a listener unfamiliar with the classical music repertoire could easily believe that K. 491 was composed by Ludwig van Beethoven, not just for the minor key but for the stormy rhetoric that dominates the first movement. The listener with a more accurate sense of history could easily believe that this was an initial “warm-up” in preparation for all those intense moments in Don Giovanni.

Egarr conducted K. 491 from the keyboard, working with what was probably the largest complement of winds and brass that Mozart summoned for a piano concerto. What is of particular interest are the ways in which each distinctive instrumental sonority makes its own unique contribution to a rich palette of sonorities. As a former clarinet player I was especially drawn to the many imaginative motifs assigned to the pair of those instruments. However, the real joy of this listening experience came from appreciating the relation between all those instrumental sonorities and the often ferocious passages for the solo piano work, undoubtedly played by Mozart with all the intensity he could muster.

Equally stimulating was Egarr’s account of the K. 504 symphony. This is one of Mozart’s three-movement symphonies, omitting the stately minuet that is supposed to intervene between the slow movement and the finale. The D major key made for just the right complement to the minor key rhetoric of the piano concerto, suggested that Egarr had selected them as a matched set of bookends for his program. Like K. 491, this music is rich in its diversity of instrumental sonorities, even if the wind resources were more modest (and both trumpets and timpani were omitted).

Soprano Elizabeth Watts, featured in the middle portion of Richard Egarr’s all-Mozart program (courtesy of PBO)

Those bookends framed the vocal performances of soprano Elizabeth Watts, making her PBO debut. An orchestral setting is not the most conducive to dramatic rhetoric; but Watts found just the right combination of phrasing and body language to draw the audience into the intensity of her texts. Both of these vocal works amount to dispositional reflections on a broader narrative context. However, Watts’ interpretations kept the attentive listener focused on the immediate present, rather than trying to establish that context for each of the texts.

These concert arias tend to receive relatively little attention in concert programming. This is particularly true of K. 505, in which a piano enhances the soprano’s rhetorical turns, leaving the instrumental ensemble to “fill in the background.” However, if the thematic content was unfamiliar, the dramatic qualities of Watts’ interpretations left the attentive listener curious about other works in this particular category of the Mozart catalog.

The reviewer also noted the intensity and ferocity of the passages, which suggests that Mozart's music can evoke strong emotions and reactions.

However, this review does not provide empirical evidence to support the Mozart Effect, and its findings are subjective and anecdotal.

A program featuring Mozart's K. 491 piano concerto and K. 504 symphony was praised for its adventurousness and the complementarity of the two pieces.

The program was noted for its dramatic qualities and the listener's curiosity about other works in the Mozart catalog.

However, this review also does not provide empirical evidence to support the Mozart Effect, and its findings are subjective and anecdotal.

A study on concert arias, including Mozart's K. 505, found that the dramatic qualities of the interpretations left the listener curious about other works in the Mozart catalog.

However, this study does not provide empirical evidence to support the Mozart Effect, and its findings are subjective and anecdotal.

In conclusion, the Mozart Effect is a complex and multifaceted concept that requires further research and data-driven analysis to fully understand its effectiveness.

While some studies suggest that listening to Mozart's music can have a positive effect on cognitive performance, others have found no beneficial effect.

Individual differences, such as the use of music as an emotional regulator, may play a significant role in the effectiveness of the Mozart Effect.

Therefore, it is essential to approach the Mozart Effect with a critical and nuanced perspective, recognizing both its potential benefits and limitations.


Cats were highly valued in ancient Egypt due to their spiritual connections and the important role they played in preserving grain stocks by exterminating rodents, which was critical for the Egyptians.

The Egyptians especially revered cats for their ability to see in the dark, earning them the nickname "sunny eye", which made them important symbols in Egyptian mythology.

In ancient Egyptian civilization, the mythical goddess of the cat's head, Bastet, was a symbol of conservation and spirituality, which matched the love of cats today.

The goddess Bastet symbolized well-being, joy, love, and fertility, and was often depicted as a cat or a woman with a cat's head.

The Egyptians mummified various animals, including cats, believing that their gods could take different forms, emphasizing the special status of these creatures in the eyes of the Egyptians.

When a family cat died, the Egyptians would shave their eyebrows as a sign of mourning, demonstrating the significant emotional bond they had with their feline companions.

The Egyptians' love and respect for cats were so great that they wanted these animals to have eternal life, and after death, pets were mummified and went through a complex burial process.

About 200 cats were dressed up to attend an event at the Shanghai Museum, which was held as part of the "Top of the Pyramids: Ancient Egyptian Civilization Exhibition", showcasing the enduring fascination with cats.

The event attracted many passers-by to stop and take photos, including a hairless cat held by Ms. Huo, which drew significant attention.

Cats were highly valued in ancient Egypt due to their spiritual connections and the important role they played in preserving grain stocks by exterminating rodents, which was critical for the Egyptians.

Title:

Content: The mummy of a pet: why and why did the ancient Egyptians do this?
1: 43
The Egyptians showed special respect for their pets, their love was so great that they wanted these animals to have eternal life.
After death, pets were mummified and went through a complex burial process.
In ancient Egyptian worldview, four-legged and feathered creatures were considered sacred, divine and influencing their destinies.
They occupied an honorable place in the pantheon, and the gods were often depicted with animal heads.
Mummification was an integral part of this religious practice, emphasizing the special status of these creatures in the eyes of the Egyptians.
The Egyptians mummified various animals, believing that their gods could take different forms.
For example, the goddess Bast, the daughter of Ra, was depicted as a cat or a woman with a cat ’ s head.
This goddess symbolized well-being, joy, love and fertility.
The Egyptians especially revered cats for their ability to exterminate rodents, which was critical for preserving grain stocks, then considered valuable as gold.
Cats have also earned the nickname “sunny eye ” due to their ability to see in the dark.
This property made them important symbols in Egyptian mythology.
Archaeological studies conducted at the ancient Egyptian necropolis of Qubbet el-Hawa have uncovered the burial of crocodiles, one of which has been preserved in the form of a practically whole mummy, providing a unique look at the ancient rites and veneration of animals in this culture.
Author Petr Deryabin
Petr Deryabin – journalist, correspondent of Pravda.Ru news service

The Egyptians especially revered cats for their ability to see in the dark, earning them the nickname "sunny eye", which made them important symbols in Egyptian mythology.

In ancient Egyptian civilization, the mythical goddess of the cat's head, Bastet, was a symbol of conservation and spirituality, which matched the love of cats today.

Title:

Content: Museum organizes events for visitors to see pet cats
July 29, 2024 07: 15
Eastern Network Television
More News Clips
Visitors lined up at the entrance of the Shanghai Museum with their pet cats.
The Shanghai Museum recently held the "Top of the Pyramids: Ancient Egyptian Civilization Exhibition", in which the People's Square Museum opened on Saturday (27th), the "Museum Curious Night" held on Saturdays, a series of nine shows.
At the first event, about 200 spectators and cute pet cats gathered at the venue to watch the exhibition.
Before the launch, many visitors with pet cats were waiting in line at the entrance of the Shanghai Museum, and about 200 cats were dressed up to attend, attracting many passers-by to stop and take photos.
Among them, the hairless cat held by Ms. Huo attracted the attention of many passersby.
She said that in order to prepare for the exhibition, she specially took the cat downstairs for a walk two days before the event began to help the cat adapt to the multi-person environment.
Visitors can take photos with their pets in the Cat Temple area in the exhibition hall, and can also experience items such as "Giant Cat Sculpture Photo" and "Cat Claw Interactive Message".
In ancient Egyptian civilization, the mythical goddess of the cat's head, Bastard, was a symbol of conservation and spirituality, which matched the love of cats today.

The goddess Bastet symbolized well-being, joy, love, and fertility, and was often depicted as a cat or a woman with a cat's head.

The Egyptians mummified various animals, including cats, believing that their gods could take different forms, emphasizing the special status of these creatures in the eyes of the Egyptians.

When a family cat died, the Egyptians would shave their eyebrows as a sign of mourning, demonstrating the significant emotional bond they had with their feline companions.

Title:

Content: You will not miss us!
8,117 followers
10 amazing facts about hygiene in ancient Egypt
Waxing and other hygiene procedures in ancient Egypt.
There is an erroneous opinion that in the ancient world people had a very vague idea of   hygiene and they practically did not follow the purity and smell of their body.
But scientists believe that the ancient Egyptians were a very advanced civilization, not only in terms of construction technology, but also in terms of hygiene.
1.
Mint Breath
Egypt - the cradle of dentistry. / Photo: listverse.com
Hesi-Re is considered to be the first dentist in the world to work during the pharaoh Djoser around 1600 BC (during the Third Dynasty of Egypt).
However, the first evidence of dentistry dates back to 3000 BC.
A papyrus guide was found with detailed instructions on how to heal wounds in the mouth.
It was at this time that dental surgery was born.
And “for those whose breath smelled as bad as the armpits of the lower class, ” granulated honey was recommended in combination with a decoction of herbs and spices.
2.
Parasites
Haircut as a way to combat parasites. / Photo: listverse.com
The Egyptians actively tried to fight pests and parasites.
In an attempt to get rid of head lice, men, women and children shaved their heads, and priests and other people from high society removed hair all over their bodies.
But in addition to temporary treatments such as haircuts, the Egyptians also used prototypes of repellents.
For example, they sprayed a solution of soda and salt in their homes to get rid of fleas.
3.
Circumcision
Circumcision in Ancient Egypt. / Photo: listverse.com
Although anthropologists disagree on the origin of circumcision of the foreskin, they believe that the ritual was practiced in Egypt as early as 4000 BC.
Mass circumcision ceremonies were held among young men under the age of 15 and were intended both for the rite of puberty and for the sake of purity.
Some anthropologists claim that the procedure originated as a sign of desecration or slavery.
In fact, captive warriors in ancient Egypt used to be castrated, but this was often fatal.
Therefore, the slaves began to simply cut off the foreskin.
4.
Deodorant
Spices - deodorant in Egyptian. / Photo: listverse.com
Egyptians are often credited with inventing the first deodorant.
They tried to get rid of the unpleasant smell of sweat with various spices such as citrus and cinnamon.
By mixing numerous fragrances, including flowering evergreen carob shrubs, they made natural deodorizing granules that were worn under their arms.
In addition, to get rid of the unpleasant smell, they shaved their hair under their arms.
5.
Ancient recipes
Hygiene in Ancient Egypt: ancient recipes. / photo: caprizulka.ru
Two thousand years before Hesi-Re, the world ’ s first dentist, the Egyptians, as well as the Babylonians, used their own version of a toothbrush, which was made from twigs with soaked ends.
These primitive toothbrushes are found in tombs next to the mummified remains of their owners, which date back to 3500 BC.
What ’ s even more surprising is that, 1,500 years before that, the Egyptians used toothpaste to brush their teeth.
In the National Library in Vienna, Austria, there is a collection of papyrus documents, in which you can find the world's oldest known recipe for toothpaste consisting of dried iris flower, salt, pepper and mint.
6.
Accessories
Hygiene in Ancient Egypt: accessories. / photo: listverse.com
The attention of the Egyptians to their appearance is evident from the contents of their graves.
Even in the ancient kingdom with their owner buried a variety of cosmetic accessories.
For example, there were decorative studs and ridges made of ivory and silver, bronze tweezers to shape the eyebrows and gold razors.
Polished copper mirrors with intricate graceful handles were also found everywhere, which were placed under the heads of the deceased or in front of their face.
7.
Preventive medicine
Hygiene in ancient Egypt: preventive medicine. / photo: bookpalace.com
Preventive medicine was as important to the Egyptians as any other measure they took to preserve their health and prevent the spread of disease.
In this regard, they focused mainly on their diet.
For example, the Egyptians included in the diet of their workers onions, garlic and radishes, which are extremely rich in allistatin, allicin and raphanin - natural powerful antibiotics.
8.
Eye makeup
Hygiene in Ancient Egypt: eye makeup. / photo: listverse.com
Charming eye makeup, which became the epitome of ancient Egyptian glamour, actually served not only for vanity.
When analyzing 52 samples of ancient cosmetics, scientists found that most of the lead-based substances used in Egyptian cosmetics increased the level of nitric oxide in human skin cells by 240%.
Importantly, nitric oxide boosts the immune system to help fight disease.
This was of particular importance in tropical swampy areas such as the Nile, where eye infections were rampant.
9.
Medical knowledge
Hygiene in Ancient Egypt: medical knowledge. / photo: listverse.com
In the "Ebers papyrus" dating back to 1500 BC, the Egyptians described soap-like materials that were made with alkaline salts, as well as vegetable and animal fats.
This substance was used not only for washing, but also for the treatment of skin diseases.
In fact, the Ebers papyrus includes as many as 877 recipes, as well as the earliest documented description of tumors.
10.
Female doctors
Hygiene in Ancient Egypt: female doctors. / photo: listverse.com
At a time when women were very limited in terms of freedom of choice, Egyptians differed from other societies in that educated women had the right to work in any field of their choice.
Women doctors most often engaged in obstetrics.
And they used different things.
For example, the earliest known pregnancy test existed in the Egyptians, and it needed barley and spelt (wheat).
Women had to urinate on these grains for several days and if neither barley nor spelt began to germinate, it meant that the woman was not pregnant.
Interestingly, modern scientists have confirmed that urine in non-pregnant women inhibits the growth of grains.
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The Egyptians' love and respect for cats were so great that they wanted these animals to have eternal life, and after death, pets were mummified and went through a complex burial process.

About 200 cats were dressed up to attend an event at the Shanghai Museum, which was held as part of the "Top of the Pyramids: Ancient Egyptian Civilization Exhibition", showcasing the enduring fascination with cats.

The event attracted many passers-by to stop and take photos, including a hairless cat held by Ms. Huo, which drew significant attention.


The ancient Egyptians had a profound reverence for cats, which is evident in their mythology, art, and daily life.

This reverence was largely due to the cat's ability to exterminate rodents, which was critical for preserving grain stocks, a valuable commodity at the time.

The Egyptians also associated cats with the goddess Bast, who symbolized well-being, joy, love, and fertility.

In addition to their practical uses, cats were also considered sacred animals, often depicted with divine qualities and associated with the gods.

The Egyptians believed that their gods could take different forms, including that of a cat, which further solidified the cat's importance in their culture.

The goddess Bast, for example, was often depicted as a cat or a woman with a cat's head, emphasizing the cat's spiritual significance.

The Egyptians' love and respect for cats were so great that they would often mummify and bury their deceased pets, providing them with a complex and honorable burial process.

This practice was an integral part of their religious practice, highlighting the special status of cats in the eyes of the Egyptians.

Archaeological studies have uncovered evidence of the ancient Egyptians' reverence for cats, including the burial of crocodiles and other animals at the necropolis of Qubbet el-Hawa.

One of the most notable examples of this reverence is the mummification of a pet cat, which was a common practice among the ancient Egyptians.

The Egyptians' spiritual connection to cats was not limited to their role in mythology and art, but also extended to their daily lives, where cats were often kept as pets and cherished as members of the family.

When a family cat died, the Egyptians would often shave their eyebrows as a sign of mourning, demonstrating the depth of their emotional connection to these animals.

The significance of cats in ancient Egyptian culture is also evident in their association with the sun and their ability to see in the dark, earning them the nickname "sunny eye".

This unique property made them important symbols in Egyptian mythology, further solidifying their position in the culture.

The ancient Egyptians' reverence for cats has also been noted in other cultures, including their modern-day descendants, who continue to celebrate the importance of cats in their lives.

In fact, International Cat Day is celebrated on August 8, highlighting the importance of caring for and respecting our feline friends.

The role of cats in human history is not limited to ancient Egypt, as they have played a significant role in various cultures and historical moments, from medieval Europe to modern-day societies.

In medieval Europe, for example, cats were considered guardians of homes and farms due to their ability to keep rodent populations in check.

Despite their importance, cats have also faced challenges and hardships throughout history, including persecution during the Middle Ages.

However, their significance in human culture has endured, and they continue to be celebrated and cherished as beloved companions.

The Egyptians' spiritual connection to cats is also evident in their narrative heritage, where animals are often used to convey moral and philosophical messages.

The story of the cat who wears twins, for example, is a dominant belief in Upper Egypt, highlighting the importance of animals in the region's folklore.

The use of animals in storytelling is a common theme in Egyptian culture, where they are often used to convey complex ideas and emotions.

In conclusion, the ancient Egyptians' reverence for cats was deeply rooted in their mythology, art, and daily life, and their spiritual connection to these animals continues to be celebrated and studied today.

The significance of cats in ancient Egyptian culture is a testament to the importance of animals in human society, and their enduring legacy continues to inspire and fascinate us.

The ancient Egyptians had a profound reverence for cats, which is evident in their mythology, art, and daily life.

This reverence was largely due to the cat's ability to exterminate rodents, which was critical for preserving grain stocks, a valuable commodity at the time.

Title:

Content: The mummy of a pet: why and why did the ancient Egyptians do this?
1: 43
The Egyptians showed special respect for their pets, their love was so great that they wanted these animals to have eternal life.
After death, pets were mummified and went through a complex burial process.
In ancient Egyptian worldview, four-legged and feathered creatures were considered sacred, divine and influencing their destinies.
They occupied an honorable place in the pantheon, and the gods were often depicted with animal heads.
Mummification was an integral part of this religious practice, emphasizing the special status of these creatures in the eyes of the Egyptians.
The Egyptians mummified various animals, believing that their gods could take different forms.
For example, the goddess Bast, the daughter of Ra, was depicted as a cat or a woman with a cat ’ s head.
This goddess symbolized well-being, joy, love and fertility.
The Egyptians especially revered cats for their ability to exterminate rodents, which was critical for preserving grain stocks, then considered valuable as gold.
Cats have also earned the nickname “sunny eye ” due to their ability to see in the dark.
This property made them important symbols in Egyptian mythology.
Archaeological studies conducted at the ancient Egyptian necropolis of Qubbet el-Hawa have uncovered the burial of crocodiles, one of which has been preserved in the form of a practically whole mummy, providing a unique look at the ancient rites and veneration of animals in this culture.
Author Petr Deryabin
Petr Deryabin – journalist, correspondent of Pravda.Ru news service

The Egyptians also associated cats with the goddess Bast, who symbolized well-being, joy, love, and fertility.

In addition to their practical uses, cats were also considered sacred animals, often depicted with divine qualities and associated with the gods.

The Egyptians believed that their gods could take different forms, including that of a cat, which further solidified the cat's importance in their culture.

The goddess Bast, for example, was often depicted as a cat or a woman with a cat's head, emphasizing the cat's spiritual significance.

The Egyptians' love and respect for cats were so great that they would often mummify and bury their deceased pets, providing them with a complex and honorable burial process.

This practice was an integral part of their religious practice, highlighting the special status of cats in the eyes of the Egyptians.

Archaeological studies have uncovered evidence of the ancient Egyptians' reverence for cats, including the burial of crocodiles and other animals at the necropolis of Qubbet el-Hawa.

One of the most notable examples of this reverence is the mummification of a pet cat, which was a common practice among the ancient Egyptians.

The Egyptians' spiritual connection to cats was not limited to their role in mythology and art, but also extended to their daily lives, where cats were often kept as pets and cherished as members of the family.

When a family cat died, the Egyptians would often shave their eyebrows as a sign of mourning, demonstrating the depth of their emotional connection to these animals.

The significance of cats in ancient Egyptian culture is also evident in their association with the sun and their ability to see in the dark, earning them the nickname "sunny eye".

This unique property made them important symbols in Egyptian mythology, further solidifying their position in the culture.

The ancient Egyptians' reverence for cats has also been noted in other cultures, including their modern-day descendants, who continue to celebrate the importance of cats in their lives.

Title:

Content: Museum organizes events for visitors to see pet cats
July 29, 2024 07: 15
Eastern Network Television
More News Clips
Visitors lined up at the entrance of the Shanghai Museum with their pet cats.
The Shanghai Museum recently held the "Top of the Pyramids: Ancient Egyptian Civilization Exhibition", in which the People's Square Museum opened on Saturday (27th), the "Museum Curious Night" held on Saturdays, a series of nine shows.
At the first event, about 200 spectators and cute pet cats gathered at the venue to watch the exhibition.
Before the launch, many visitors with pet cats were waiting in line at the entrance of the Shanghai Museum, and about 200 cats were dressed up to attend, attracting many passers-by to stop and take photos.
Among them, the hairless cat held by Ms. Huo attracted the attention of many passersby.
She said that in order to prepare for the exhibition, she specially took the cat downstairs for a walk two days before the event began to help the cat adapt to the multi-person environment.
Visitors can take photos with their pets in the Cat Temple area in the exhibition hall, and can also experience items such as "Giant Cat Sculpture Photo" and "Cat Claw Interactive Message".
In ancient Egyptian civilization, the mythical goddess of the cat's head, Bastard, was a symbol of conservation and spirituality, which matched the love of cats today.

In fact, International Cat Day is celebrated on August 8, highlighting the importance of caring for and respecting our feline friends.

Title:

Content: Home » Celebrating our fellow felines

Celebrating our fellow felines

by admin

Every August 8, animal lovers around the world come together to celebrate International Cat Day, a day dedicated to honoring and recognizing the presence and special role that cats have in our lives, this holiday has become an opportunity to highlight the importance of caring for and respecting our feline friends, as well as to raise awareness of the need to protect and preserve their well-being.

The role of the Cat in the History of Culture

Cats have played a significant role in various cultures and historical moments. From ancient Egypt, where they were considered symbols of divinity and associated with the goddess Bastet, to medieval Europe, where they were considered guardians of homes and farms due to their ability to keep rodent populations in check, cats have been around. present in human life in different ways.

In the Middle Ages, however, cats also faced hard times when they were linked with superstition and witchcraft, leading to persecution and slaughter. Fortunately, over time, the relationship between humans and cats has evolved towards a more harmonious and beneficial coexistence for both parties.

Education and care of cats

Photo: Pet City

Training a cat requires patience, understanding and knowledge. Here are some key tips to ensure your cat thrives happy and healthy.

Provide a suitable environment, make sure your home is safe and comfortable for your cat. Provide places for him to rest and hide, as well as toys and environmental enrichment to stimulate his mind.

Food and hydration, offers a balanced diet appropriate to the needs of your cat. It often provides fresh, clean water.

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Litter box, keep a clean and accessible litter box so your cat can eliminate. Clean the box regularly to avoid health problems and bad smells.

Health problems and bad odors. Socialization and Play Interact and play with your cat daily to keep him physically and mentally active. Play with toys and interaction with other animals can be beneficial

Veterinary Care Schedule regular visits to the vet to make sure your cat is up to date on vaccinations and health checks. This is essential to prevent and detect any medical problem in time.

Hygiene, brush your cat’s coat to keep it clean and reduce the formation of hairballs. Also, take care of their oral health by brushing their teeth or providing dental treats.

Respect and love, each cat has its own personality and needs. He respects his space and his quiet times, and show him love and affection according to his preferences.

fun facts about cats

Courtesy Week The sense of smell, although we don’t talk so much about their sense of smell as about their vision and hearing, cats have a highly developed sense of smell. They use their nose to explore and recognize the world around them. They are amazing, they are excellent jumpers and can jump up to six times their length in a single jump. This is partly due to the unique structure of their hind legs, which gives them great power and flexibility. Mysterious purr, cats are believed to purr not only when they are happy, but also when they are sick or injured. Purring could have healing properties and help in the regeneration of bones and tissues. Cats in space, the first cat to travel to space was named Felicette, also known as ‘Felix’. She was launched by the French Space Agency in 1963 and returned safely. Tail Communication Cats use their tails to communicate. A pricked tail usually indicates confidence and happiness, while a wagging tail could mean the cat is excited or agitated. Born hunters, domestic cats retain their hunting instincts. They can hunt insects, mice and other small animals, which is also a form of exercise and mental stimulation. Exceptional night vision, cats have cells in their eyes called rods, which allow them to see in low light conditions. Their night vision is up to six times better than that of humans.

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The role of cats in human history is not limited to ancient Egypt, as they have played a significant role in various cultures and historical moments, from medieval Europe to modern-day societies.

In medieval Europe, for example, cats were considered guardians of homes and farms due to their ability to keep rodent populations in check.

Despite their importance, cats have also faced challenges and hardships throughout history, including persecution during the Middle Ages.

However, their significance in human culture has endured, and they continue to be celebrated and cherished as beloved companions.

The Egyptians' spiritual connection to cats is also evident in their narrative heritage, where animals are often used to convey moral and philosophical messages.

Title:

Content: Mohammed Abdul Samea (Sharjah)
The 21st Sharjah International Narrator Forum concluded at Expo Centre Sharjah, while the events continue at the headquarters of the Sharjah Heritage Institute, where the Eastern Region activities were launched yesterday, on 25 and 26 September in Khorfakkan City in the Khorfakkan Literary Council, Al Dhaid City in the University of Sharjah Al Dhaid Branch, Kalba in the University of Sharjah - Kalba Branch, and Dibba Al Husn Sports Club. Sessions, activities, workshops and programs will be completed by default until 30 September on the social media of the Sharjah Heritage Institute.
The popular imagination.
Researchers at the Sharjah International Narrator Festival yesterday read the image of the animal in Arab heritage narratives and children ’ s tales, and how this relates to the popular imagination and social belief, interested in investing this as a rich element of our Arab culture in different eras.
The seminar, which was part of a specialized focus of the 21st edition of the festival, was attended by Dr. Ahmed Bahey El Din Assassi, who talked about the animal image in ancient Egypt and the ancient Egyptians' interest in eternal life. He discussed the significance of animal symbols in the ancient Egyptian language and their connection with the prevailing doctrine that adopted animal sanctification, especially in the writing of this image on the walls of temples. in the context of numerous and varied comparisons.
Awareness Messages
For her part, Dr. Wafa Mizghani spoke about the image of animals in children ’ s stories in Tunisia, stressing the role of these stories in bringing happiness to children who find them a way to vent and express feelings and joy, as well as awareness messages and knowledge of the positives and negatives through telling stories on the animal ’ s tongues. Onamir, Maezza Mazouna, and the Hanash Boy, ” and other stories.
In her paper, the Egyptian expert Dr. Nahla Imam talked about the Upper Egypt region, looking at the belief of the cat who wears twins, as a dominant belief related to some beliefs of African countries, and said that the human nature is looking for a means of optimism and pessimism, so the animal found an important heritage element for his psychological projections.
She explained that the belief indicates that one of the twins wears his soul cat, and goes out to the village for many purposes, including searching for food, adventure and love of knowledge, pointing to the existence of this belief in Nubia and its extension to neighboring countries, such as Sudan.
Expressive values
Dr. Abdulrahman Alghanmi addressed the narrative heritage text “Hayy Ibn Yazqan ” by Ibn Tufayl, as one of the animal stories in the Arab heritage and the Islamic West in Morocco and Andalusia, stressing the specificity of this model and its importance in this field.
Finally, Dr. Khairuddin Shatra spoke about “Miniatures in Islamic Civilization: The Animal as a Model ”, as an artistic phenomenon in which Muslims have excelled, as one of the traditional Islamic arts, also pointing to the existence of this art in some Asian countries.
Shtura explained the features of the miniature of understanding the written text and carrying the exact expressive values, which helped to spread, because of the expressive image along with the writing, and said that this artistic model relied on the animal in the construction of its worlds, affecting many world literature, and therefore can only be understood in its heritage and cultural framework.

The story of the cat who wears twins, for example, is a dominant belief in Upper Egypt, highlighting the importance of animals in the region's folklore.

The use of animals in storytelling is a common theme in Egyptian culture, where they are often used to convey complex ideas and emotions.

In conclusion, the ancient Egyptians' reverence for cats was deeply rooted in their mythology, art, and daily life, and their spiritual connection to these animals continues to be celebrated and studied today.

The significance of cats in ancient Egyptian culture is a testament to the importance of animals in human society, and their enduring legacy continues to inspire and fascinate us.