History of cats

Nobody is sure of the cat history. Cats might have come from the weasel like animal called as Miacis. This animal lived some forty or fifty million years ago.

Surprisingly, this animal is considered as the common ancestor for dogs, cats and other terrestrial carnivores. Cats existed long before when compared to the dogs.

Smilodon is the ancient animal that was even called as tiger and had saber tooth. This animal was found hunting in all areas of the world once upon a time but now it is no more.

Review of the ancient world history of cats, revealed that from end of stone age, the cats got associated with man but this took many years.

Egyptians had cats as members of houses about five thousand years back and used cats for hunting of fish, birds and mice and rats that destroyed the grain stocks along Nile. Cult of cat worship was there for more than two thousand years and laws were enacted for cat’s protection.

The names Pasht or Bast indicated the cat goddess Bastet and this had the cat’s head and was worshipped by all. Immediately, all cats were taken more care, later. Many cats were mummified and buried after the death with respect and in 1800, a cemetery had about three lakhs cat bodies in preserved condition.

Inspite of prohibitory laws at Egypt, Romans and Greeks took the cats to many European countries. In Japan, China and India, domestic cats were the prized animals as rodent catchers.

In the middle ages, there was a change in fate of cats. Powers of black magic indicating the embodiment of devils and witches was associated with cats and persons owing cats were considered as wicked and were done to death along with their cats.

Sacrificing of cats was done after the torture and in religious functions, cats in large numbers were burnt alive as part of the function. Live cats were kept under sealed state inside the buildings because it was thought to bring luck.

Since then diseased rat population increased and spread of plaque in many European countries. Cat regained its respect as pet and rodent killer from seventeenth century. For his love of cats, Cardinal Richelieu was known.

In England and France, many writers quoted on pet cats. Owning a cat becomes fashionable and cat shows were established by late 1800s in UK and USA. Later, cat’s fancier organizations were established. Superstitions about wickedness of person with cat still exist as indicated by the belief that when a black cat crosses, it brings bad luck.

Cats in the Arts

Many artists and writers quoted on this. Bastet, which is the Egyptian goddess, was the best-known representation of cat in the art. In Nile valley, her image with cat’s head is seen in many sculptures and arts. Japanese excelled others in having cats and their arts on cats were realistic and were thought to be magic.

If cat’s drawing is hung in walls, this was thought to scare away the rats. Maneki-Neko is the most famous Japanese cat that brings happiness and luck. Go-To-Ku-Ji of Tokyo is the temple dedicated for cats.

Buddhists respect cats after the death. Many priests chant in temples for feline souls. Many temples etc. have cat sculptures and arts and each cat has a raised paw which is a greeting posture, characteristic of Maneki-Neko.

Many artists including Theodore Gericault, Leonardo da Vinci, Paul Gauguin, William Hogarth, Pablo Picasso, Albrecht Durer, Edouard Manet portrayed the cats. Felix-the cat, star of animated cartoon film is the best-known cat.

Others well known are Kazy Kat and Tom, which had mice as companions. Maurice Ravel and Gioachhino Rossini –the musicians portrayed cats in their compositions.Culture of most people comprised fables and tales on cats. All knows tale of Dick Whittington and his cat.

In every language, versions of Puss in Boots fable appear. Poets admire beauty and personality of cats. One of T.S.Eliot’s poems had quotation at the start of the article. All enjoy despite any age enjoy the books on cats. Some of the fine books on cats are also being furnished HERE!

Siamese cat history

We can trace back the history of these Siamese cat as far back as the late 1700’s in Asia. Generally royalty and monks in Thailand possessed this cat in very high esteem.

It had been considered that when a person of high rank of the temple died, the Siamese cat guarded the temples. It had been believed that the soul of the dead person entered into the Siamese cat.

Immediately the cat would be removed from the royal house and sent to live with the monks in the temple. After its entry into temple it lived an opulence life. These Siamese cat were offered with best food in gold plates. They usually use the best cushions for sitting and sleeping.

These kind of life was provided to the Siamese cat in the memoir of the deceased and also to get good fortune.

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History of cats