Cats have always shared a unique equation with us humans. Unlike most other animals that have been domesticated over the centuries, cats do have a unique aura surrounding them. Treated for generations in multiple cultures and religions as mysterious animals, cats have been seen as symbols different things. It should be quite interesting to find how cats are treated in different cultures.
Cats were primarily domesticated due to the fact that they hunt mice which used to destroy stored grains and other food items. The cats got their prey and humans back then got a free “pest control”. But, finding the exact timeline for when did the relationship between cats and humans evolved is something much difficult to analyse.
Cats and Their Heritage
The house cats that we see today boast of two identified lineages. The race began with the the Southwest Asian and the African Wildcat, which have the same DNA as our current breed of house cats.
One of the lineage of cats dates back to 7000 years ago, The region that this lineage thrived include today’s Jordan, Israel, Lebanon, Syria, southern Turkey, Kurdistan, southern Iraq and western Iran. The other lineage began from Egypt, which is suspected to be the first culture to domesticate the cat. The first lineage had the cats spread to the North and West of Europe. The second lineage moved on to the Mediterranian. The cats reached the rest of the world through the land and sea trade routes.
Cats in Different Cultures
Let us explore the cats and their symbolism in different cultures and religions across the world.
Cats in the Egyptian Culture
It is believed that the cats were originally domesticated for the first time in human history in Egypt. It is believed that it was during 3000 B.C. that the cats became the associates of humans. Cats were considered to be sacred animals in the Egyptian culture.
Catts in ancient Egypt were known as Mau. Cats in Egypt were equated to Bastet who was their God of Motherhood. That is primarily because of the fact that they kept the crops and harvests safer. Catss initially began as the untamed and wild species, and were later went on to become domesticated.
Egyptians found the cats quite sweet, and they were found to be the best for protecting humans from the rats and snakes. Egyptians later began to worship the cats.
Cats in the Greek Mythology
Greeks venerateed the cats as the divine souls. The cats were believed to arrive in Greece and Rome from Egypt. Stories from the past have it that Greeks wanted to purchase the cats from the Egyptians. When they refused, 6 pairs off cats were stolen.
By the time the Greeks raised the litter, they had already become quite popular and the Greeks began selling them to the Romans, the Galls, and the Celts. Cats were actually aristocratic animals in Greece. Thye were not treated as pets, but were the gift to the high profile courtesans.
Cats in China
Chinese believed that cats bring good luck and a great fortune. The presence of cats in China dates back to around 5300 years. Cats were believed to be the symbol of love, serenity and peace in ancient China.
In modern China, a domesticated cat is normally depicted as a companion of a woman. They are still considered to be the symbol of good luck. Chinese also believe that they drive away the bad luck.
Cats in India
Cats have been regularly observed the Indian culture. The epics such as Ramayana and Mahabharata mention the cats. Given the fact that these epics daate back to around 1500 BCE. That should give you an evidence to indicate that cats were known in India prior to that period.
Cats in Indian culture were depicted as the Goddess of Fertility called Shashti. The goddess is even depicted with the face of a cat. Buddhist monks loved the ccats for their meditative nature. Thye even believed that the cats drive away bad luck.
Cats in Japan
The presence of cats in japan dates back to the year 999. It is said that the Japanese emperor received the cat as a gift on his birthday. japanese believed the cats to be bringing good fortune.
However, Japanese also believed that the shape of the cat’s tail represents evil. The Maneki-Neko is a cat that was supposed to bring good fortune and prosperity to its owner.
Cats in Norse mythology
There are several stories in the Scandinavian folklore. It is believed that the Norse Goddess Freya drove the chariot pulled by the cats. The two cats were stated to be grey por Blue in color.
Goddess Freya was said to be quite happy with the cats and she was kind to everyone who treated the cats really well.
Cats in Islam
In Islam, cats considered as holy animals. Isalm adores the cats for their cleanliness. Cats are considered be completely cleaner, and that is why Islam lets them enter homes. In fact, they are also allowed to enter the mosques.
When it comes to the custom of ablution in Islam, it allows the follower of Islam to do abution from the same water that a cat has drunk from. Islam also allows eating from the plate that a cat has eaten from. Prophet Mohammed himself was a great admirer of cats. His personal cat was known as Muezza.
There is one story about Prophet Mohammed’s affinity towards cats. It is stated that Mohammed woke up one day for prayer. When he was about to dress up, he found that his cat Muezza was sleeping on the sleeve of his robe. Not wanting to wake up the cat from sleep, he cut off the part of the robe with a pair of scissors.
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Cats in Catholicism
Cats are demonised in Christianity. In fact, there is no mention of cats or their religious significance before the 13th century. Pope Gregory IX, who was the pope from 1227-1241, believed that the cats carried the spirit of Satan inside themselves.
This is perhaps what explains why black cats are specifically called equivalent to being called witches. Another theory that explains why catholicism demonises the cats is that other religions which Christianity called paganism venerated cats and Catholics wanted to stay away from these animals to prove their so called supremacy.
Cats in Other Cultures and Religions
Apart from the mainstream cultures and religions that we covered above, it may also be interesting to find more about the depiction of cats in other religions.
Cats in Buddhism – Buddhists believe that soul of very spiritual people resides in the cat’s body for a temporary period. Some even believe that cats can engage in astral travel. It is also believed that if cat adopts you, it will stay with you, even after your death.
Cats in Shintoism – Shintoism considers the cats as the protectors of the home.
Cats in Zoroastrianism – During the initial period of Zoroastrianism, cats were considered to be evil animals. It may be because they were not domesticated at the time. However , the later thought processes in Zoroastrianism believed that the cats were divine animals.
Cats in Jainism – Since Jainism believes in non violence and cats are carnivores, Jainism does not allow keeping a cat as a pet. However, on the same lines, it does not hate it either.
Are there Cultures that Hate Cats?
Yes, there are several cultures that hate cats. Some cultures do love cats, but hate certain aspects of it. Like Indians, who may love cats, but hate certain varieties such as a black cat.
- Medieval Europe was one culture that was not much favorable to the cats. While dogs acquired a place of respect in homes during the Roman Empire in the Medieval Europe, cats were treated a little differently. They were associated with evil forces and were part of a lot of superstitions. Some of them even continue till date.
- The Chinese culture hates cats. The traditional Chinese view is that cats are dirty, dangerous and not good for the society.
The Closing Thoughts
Cats have always been considered to be mystic in almost every folklore or culture. Unlike the dogs which have been considered to be straightforward and simple, cats have several stories that border on symbolism, spirituality, mysticism and secret.
We assume that our attempt at understanding the cats through the different cultures would make it quite pleasing for the cat lovers – like me – in understanding the cats and their evolution better.
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