Sacred cow: which animals are revered in different parts of the world (23 photos)
Animals often become the object of attention of many people. Firstly, they are cute, and secondly, they can be useful. Many of them are revered at the religious level, and in some cases even subject to protection at the legislative level. We tell you where the elephant is a sacred animal, where the cow is, and where the wolf is. 
Romans, wolves 
The she-wolf, as you know, fed the founders of Rome, Romulus and Remus, with her milk. The Slavs also had a cult of the wolf. Most often, it was the wolf who was responsible for the bread: people turned to him for the harvest.
The Scandinavians considered wolves to be the harbingers of Ragnarok, and the huge wolf Fenrir, who was chained by the gods, would free himself when the end of the world came and kill the supreme god Odin. 
Burkina Faso, crocodile 
Yes, these beautiful elegant animals are not suitable for handbags and gloves everywhere. In Burkna Faso, a small African country, there are some areas where crocodiles are actually worshiped.
All the reptiles with prehistoric roots here are always well-fed, happy, and even act as judges of sorts. If one of the tribe is guilty and deceives someone, he will be sent to stand by the water. It is believed that sacred crocodiles will eat a liar. 
Don't think that the people here are idiots. In one of the villages, children calmly swim in a pond with crocodiles, and women immediately wash their clothes. True, West African representatives of crocodiles live here: they are non-aggressive and, as a rule, do not bother people. 
In modern culture, crocodiles and alligators also do not always become deadly animals. This cutie, for example, played an alternative Loki in the Marvel universe and generally looked like a comedic character.
India, cow 
Even before the Hindus, the animal was revered by the Romans and Egyptians. Now it is sacred among followers of Hinduism, Zoroastrianism and Jainism.
Even local laws in India and Nepal, officially secular countries, prohibit touching cows: here they roam freely around the cities, and when the locals really need good luck, they feed the horned ones.
Animal milk is used in various rituals. 
Cows are revered here so much that in the century before last, the locals even rebelled against the British colonists. In 1857, the British began supplying rifles to local residents serving in the army. And rumors claimed that the cartridge, which had to be bitten when loading, was soaked in beef and pork fat. And because of this outrage against local customs, an uprising broke out. True, he was suppressed, but the Hindus were still able to capture Delhi. 
Thailand, elephant 
Elephants are revered in the countries of Indochina. In Thailand, these animals have become a symbol of the country. Even one of the Hindu gods, Ganesh, who personifies wisdom and prosperity, has an elephant's head. 
Thailand has a special law that regulates the situation of albino elephants. For example, they are all considered the property of the king. And any person who finds a white elephant is legally obliged to bring it to the palace, and in exchange will receive lifelong maintenance from the monarch. 
And the Constitution of the Asian state stipulates the special rights of elephants. So it goes.
Bear 
The ancient Slavs revered bears. By the way, this, according to legend, is not the official original name of the bears, but only their nickname. They were revered as gods of fertility and protectors from all evil. 
But all this, of course, is just legends. Nowadays it is not customary to kill bears, but if you see one and are able to, try to defend yourself.
India, snake 
It's not just cows that are respected in India. Snakes also enjoy a special status here. They crawl on the streets, in hotels (even five-star ones!). A Hindu, seeing a snake, will not drive it out of the house, much less kill it. He will lure her out and persuade her, and if “even” this does not help, he will call a specialist (yes, there are such people). 
In addition, the country has a separate holiday dedicated to snakes - Nagapanchami. It is celebrated in July; on this day snakes are brought to cities and showered with flowers.
Even accidentally killing a snake is considered a sin in India. If the snake dies (if people see it), it is given a real funeral: prayers are read over its body, and later a funeral pyre is held. 
There is, however, another side to such veneration: approximately 80 thousand people become victims of snake bites every year. But Hindus are sure that snakes bite only sinners who do not revere these animals enough.
China, tiger 
Next year, as you know, will be the year of the tiger. And it is of great importance in Chinese mythology. They are most revered in the city of Kunming, where they are even used to attract tourists. 
Tigers have a special status in Vietnam and Thailand. There is even a Buddhist temple in Thailand, which is also called the “tiger monastery”. There, the monks freely communicate with the tailed-striped ones, and at the same time they do not even protect themselves from them in any way. Meanwhile, not a single death from such communication has been recorded so far.
North Africa, horses 
These beautiful animals are especially revered among 23 peoples of North Africa and the Middle East.
Previously, when many peoples of Central Asia led a nomadic lifestyle, horses were revered among them. Animals are often buried in the same way as people. In sacrifices, if they were made, they were second in value only to human sacrifice. 
By the way, in many myths it is horses that often appear in various myths: they either become winged or cross vast spaces. Modern religions are also not far behind: for example, St. George slaying the serpent.
Pig, Ancient Egypt and Ancient Greece 
In Ancient Egypt, pigs were often used as sacred sacrifices for various gods. The Greeks gave them as sacrifices to the goddess Demeter, who, in turn, contributed to a good harvest, fertility, purity and youth. 
What didn’t you know about sacred animals?
