Who considers the rat a sacred animal? - briefly
Rats are revered in Hinduism as the vahana of the deity Ganesha, making them sacred animals. Some Chinese folk traditions also honor the rat as an auspicious symbol of wealth and prosperity.
Who considers the rat a sacred animal? - in detail
In Hindu tradition the mouse is venerated as the vehicle (vahana) of the deity Ganesha, the remover of obstacles. Texts such as the Puranas describe the rat‑like creature as emblematic of Ganesha’s ability to overcome obstacles, and worshippers offer food and incense to representations of the animal in temples dedicated to the god. Rituals often include the placement of a small, decorated rat figurine beside Ganesha idols, and priests may sprinkle milk or sweets on the creature’s likeness during festivals such as Ganesh Chaturthi.
In certain regions of South‑East Asia, particularly among the Meitei people of Manipur, the rat occupies a sacred role in agricultural rites. Ritual offerings of rice and millet are presented to live rats kept in temple enclosures, reflecting a belief that the animal ensures bountiful harvests and protects stored grain from pests. The practice is recorded in ethnographic surveys of Manipuri village customs and is linked to ancestral worship narratives that credit the rat with guiding the community through famine.
Among some African ethnic groups, notably the Dogon of Mali, the rat appears in mythic stories as a symbol of ingenuity and survival. While not worshipped as a deity, the animal receives reverence during initiation ceremonies, where elders recount legends of the rat outwitting predators and securing food for the tribe. The reverence manifests in protective taboos that forbid harming rats in specific sacred spaces.
In ancient Greek mythology, the deity Demeter was occasionally associated with rodents, including the rat, as symbols of fertility and the renewal of the earth. Archaeological findings from Eleusinian sites reveal votive offerings shaped like small rodents, indicating a ritual acknowledgment of the animal’s role in the agricultural cycle.
These cultural examples illustrate that reverence for the rat is not confined to a single civilization but appears across diverse societies, each attributing distinct symbolic meanings—divine service, agricultural protection, cunning survival, or fertility—to the creature.