Bred from the more social African Wildcat, Domestic Cat has been a part of people’s lives since before the time of the ancient Egyptians. Remains of Domestic Cats were found, on the island of Cyprus, dating from 8000 B.C.E. Unlike her elusive Cat Cousins, African Wildcat liked living close to towns and villages. Domestic Cat, like her ancestor, is tamer and less secretive than most Wildcats. She socializes with people, however like a true Cat, only on her terms.
Living in a social hierarchy, Domestic Cat forms close friendships. In her family group (kindle), Domestic Cat sits with and nose-bumps her Friends. By rubbing her body against other Cats, She reinforces the bonds of her Kindle. (A Cat that is rubbed the most is the highest-ranking Cat.)
Throughout the centuries, Domestic Cat’s fortunes has risen and fallen. In Ancient Rome and Egypt, She was a goddess. Because a Domestic Cat symbolized the Egyptian god Bast, any person who killed a Domestic Cat was put to death. As the Cat-Mother, Bast embodied the benevolent aspects of Cat: fertility, love, and life-giving heat. In Rome, She represented the Goddess of Liberty. Roman legions carried images of Domestic Cat on their shields and standards.
In early Christian times, Domestic Cat was regarded as a helper. Aboard Noah’s Ark, She kept out the Devil, who had taken on the form of a gnawing Mouse. The “M” on her forehead was placed there by the Virgin Mary, in gratitude for her aid in putting the Baby Jesus to sleep. Stories of the saints featured Domestic Cat killing the Mice that tormented various Catholic saints.
However, as Christianity spread, Domestic Cat became associated with evil. Thought to be a familiar of witches, Domestic Cat was endowed with evil by the Christian Church. For example, medieval people believed that She would try to thwart an expecting mother from giving birth. “Having kittens” meant that a cat, inside of a pregnant woman, wanted to get out. Such beliefs were rooted in earlier times when Cats were sacred to the Great Goddess and connected to childbirth. In the Medieval Christian mind, Domestic Cat was closely tied to Paganism and hence to evil.
The nadir for Domestic Cat’s fortunes occurred when Baudouin III, Count of Flanders threw his Cats from his castle towers. His cat killing was a symbol that Baudouin embraced Christianity with all his heart. Since then, an annual cat festival was conducted in Flanders, complete with throwing cats out of windows to mark the occasion of his conversion.
A late arrival in Japan, Domestic Cat did not appear in Japanese folklore until about the 1400s. Since the Japanese believed that She brought good fortune, they made statues of Domestic Cat with her front left paw raised for good luck. In addition, Japanese sailors believed that Domestic Cat kept the evil spirits away that dwelled in the sea.
Throughout it all, Domestic Cat has kept her equanimity. No matter what people thought about Her, She lived her life as a champion mouser. Domestic Cat helps those who ask, and ignores everyone else. People speak of Domestic Cat’s independence, but what She really possesses is inner peace. No matter what happens, She knows that She is still a goddess.
Domestic Cat’s Teachings Include:
“The house cat is the epitome of independence. He can take care of himself, but will allow you to take care of him as well. In this we learn the balance of give and take while maintaining our individuality.” Copyright: Unknown
“Cat brings us the ability to observe situations quietly without judgment, before making decisions. Apparently asleep, but really listening, a cat can sit for hours until it acts with decisiveness. Remember the saying “A cat may look at a king.” Copyright: Unknown.
“Thou art the Great Cat, the avenger of the gods, and the judge of words, and the president of the sovereign chiefs and the governor of the holy Circle; thou art indeed…the Great Cat.” -- Inscription on the royal tombs at Thebes.
Conservation Note: Feral Cats are a problem wherever they are. Domestic Cat owners fail to spay and neuter their animals, and often abandon the offspring. These ‘throwaways’ die from starvation, disease, abuse, and predators. Those that survive are a menace to birds, and are carriers of various diseases. REMEMBER TO SPAY OR NEUTER YOUR CATS.
Pictures of "Sleeping Tabby" and "Siamese Cat" copyrighted by Mary Ann Sterling
Va. Carper
April 30, 2004