Relief of a Pet Monkey

This relief depicts a small pet monkey standing under a chair on which Maia, the wife of the dignitary Rij, is seated. The scene is part of the north wall of the antechapel within Rij’s tomb at Saqqara.

The presence of the pet monkey in this relief highlights the ancient Egyptians’ appreciation for animals and their inclusion in daily life and funerary art.

Monkeys were not only associated with domestic life but also played important roles in religious contexts. They were connected to the god Thoth, who was often depicted as a baboon or an ibis, and symbolized wisdom, knowledge, and the moon. In some myths, monkeys were seen as tricksters, often reflecting human characteristics of playfulness and mischief.

The scene depicted in the relief is a domestic and intimate one: a monkey is shown standing below a chair occupied by Maia, the wife of the dignitary Rij. This suggests that monkeys, often associated with playful or even exotic behavior, were kept as pets in ancient Egyptian households.

The inclusion of a pet in such a scene highlights the close relationship Egyptians had with animals, and their presence in daily life and funerary art.

Monkeys in ancient Egyptian culture held symbolic meaning. They were often seen as symbols of fertility, rejuvenation, and sometimes deities in religious contexts. They were believed to embody aspects of the afterlife, linked to the regeneration of life. In fact, some monkeys were even mummified as offerings to gods.

The pet monkey relief is a reminder that ancient Egyptians had a nuanced understanding of their relationship with the animal world, viewing many animals as more than mere creatures but as participants in their spiritual beliefs and personal lives. The monkey in this relief is not just an exotic creature, but a representation of a cherished and loved pet.