Cows, milk and religion

Cows play a very important role in the beliefs of many early societies. They sometimes play a role play a role in the origin myths of some societies while milk is often said to have magical powers. Butter was sometimes ritually deposited as votive offerings while in other instances milk or butter is used as a libation in religious ceremonies. These beliefs and practices often resulted in cows acquiring a social as well as an economic role in many early cultures.