Birds and other animals don’t have an instinct for associating bells with imminent danger, and cats can learn to move quietly, even with the bell. So if you’re worried about your cat’s attack habits and want to reduce them, forget the bell — instead, use other means, like special fencing or restricted outdoor access. The most common beliefs about cats through the centuries Rated 6 points - posted 11 years ago by kris in category Other. ~ Zen Master Pa-Chaio Hui-Ch’ing. An old superstition said that cat hair was thought to be indigestible and it was believed that you would die if you got it into your stomach. To see a white cat on the road during the day is lucky. The protective function of cats is indicated in the Book of the Dead, where a cat represents Ra and the benefits of the sun for life on Earth. Why do we harbor so many beliefs about cats? Cats have the reputation for being aloof and independent, leading people to believe they can leave a cat alone for long periods. For centuries, cats, especially black ones, have been associated with witchcraft and witches. When a death occurred and the body awaited burial in the home, cats would not be allowed indoors. Also, it is unlucky to have a cat when you cross a river. Cats are amazing for their ability to make impossible leaps and jumps, survive falls and maneuver in ways we didn’t think possible. Superstition #3: Black Cats Are Good Luck Black cats are also believed to bring good luck in many ways. Black cats are notorious among the superstitious, but cats in general are regarded as powerful and mysterious animals across many cultures throughout history. Cats possess nine lives. Not true, says Animal Planet. Interesting hub--I have a fairly broad knowledge of Hinduism, but I didn't know about folk beliefs such as these. Also, cats born in May will never catch mice or rats, but will instead bring into the house snakes, worms, and other undesirable reptiles. Whiskers are not required for balance, but removing or cutting them can affect these other senses. After all, who's ever heard of a black dog bringing bad luck? Check Now: Blue Buffalo • Science Diet • Purina • Wellness • 4health • Canine Carry Outs • Friskies • Taste of the Wild • See 200+ more brands…. An Irish superstition says that if you’re moving into a new home, the family cat should not be moved to the home by you, especially if water has to be crossed in the process, or bad luck will surely follow. My own male cat defies this myth; he only eliminates in his litter box — and nowhere else. In fact, these 14 black cats make it very difficult to argue that humans and kitties don't have a lot in common. And the Vikings worshipped Freya, the cat … Sounds about normal, actually. Feline Meditative Practices. It is unlucky to weigh a cat or a kitten. I would have liked to learn more about the rationale behind some of them. It used to be believed that if a cat tail was cut off, the cat could not take part in the Witches Sabbath. Read on for the proof. Undoubtedly, cats have become part of the folklore of many cultures. Mistletoe: Superstitions, Folklore & History, Origins of Christmas Traditions and December 25th Significance, Sayings About Cats – Some Forgotten Proverbs. But once a cat dies, it’s definitely not coming back for 8 more turns. In ancient Egypt, black cats were held in the highest esteem because they resembled Bastet, the cat-headed Egyptian goddess of home, fertility, and protection from disease. They may encounter angels manifesting in the form of a cat, see images of a beloved pet who has died and now acts as a spirit guide or guardian or catch sight of cat images that symbolize something God … This may be where the phrase "it's raining cats and dogs" originated (see also "Miscellaneous" section below). Centuries ago, black cats were thought to be witches because they were most active at night. Here’s an example of a cat landing gone awry: This particular myth depends on how much you believe in superstitions. If you dream of a playful kitten, it means that powerful friends are watching over you. Many people believed that witches and black cats worked together. 2* Good luck encountes if three cats appear in one way. In ancient Egypt, cats were worshipped as gods. 4* A lot of actors believe that it is desirable to have a cat in theatre. Cats also love Valerian, according to many. In general, if a kitten comes into a house , it is a lucky omen. Cats were obviously important, and there were enormous cults, which revered these felines. In describing the beliefs of Muslims near Tomini Bay (Indonesia), Adriani and Kruijt (1951:317) note Muslims have a special appreciation for the cat and a special set of beliefs related to how one treats cats. It was once thought unlucky to let cats die in the house. What I’m trying to say is: Are cats really reincarnated witches who have 9 lives and also spread bad luck? To see a cat eating grass foretells rain. People claimed they caused bad luck, were reincarnated witches in feline form or did witches’ evil biddings. Cats use their whiskers for navigation, moods and figuring out if they can squeeze under the sofa by pushing their heads through first. Whiskers are not required for balance, but removing or cutting them can affect these other senses. However, the description of the devil as a black cat tapped into already deep-seated cultural beliefs about the nature and symbolic significance of cats … Those who play too much with their cats never have good health. Allowing cats to sleep with you is considered to be very unlucky. What is Buddha? As superstitions go, fear of a black cat crossing one's path is of relatively recent origin. Some believe it is a sign that your friends will betray you. Common people also started having pet cats at home several hundred years ago and Japanese people have been involved with cats in a variety of ways since then. May cats are unlucky, and will suck the breath of infants. e.g. This episode explores some of those thoughts and talks about how to reframe them. 1. Click here to listen to the full podcast: Dysfunctional Beliefs About Cats - How to reframe them #CatTalkRa Most, however, maintain that neutering cats is allowed "if there is some benefit in neutering the cat and if that will not cause its death". Scottish superstitions treat cats poorly. Likewise, a Dutch superstition says that forgetting to feed your cat on your wedding day is an invitation to the rain. However, some cultures make a distinction, saying that if a kitten comes into a house in the morning, it is lucky. To dream of a cat is unlucky. In Scotland it was thought that epysipelas (a horrible skin infection) could be cured by letting the blood from a cat’s ear drop onto the infected area. 5* Italians believe that it is good to hear a cat sneezing. 1. We hope you enjoy these five bits of folklore and cultural beliefs about cats! A cat sneezing is a lucky omen for a bride to witness. During medieval times cats ranked as evil spirits and it was believed that black cats were the cleaver assistants of witches and that they bring bad luck. If a cat washing it face in front of the fire stops suddenly and looks at anyone, that person will soon receive an important message. Cats were depicted in … Not true, says Animal Planet. Cats have always held a mysterious spot in world culture. When the cat died, the family would shave their eyebrows and enter a state of mourning. the traditional beliefs, myths, tales, and practices of a people, transmitted orally. Black Cat Superstitions. Many cat superstitions involve weather. This research is the first to explore differences in cognitions and preferences related to outdoor cat management with three important stakeholder groups. In Ireland, it is considered highly unlucky for a family to take their cat with them when they move. People sometimes see cats appear to deliver spiritual messages. Evidence to substantially support a black cat as anything more than a cat whose fur happens to be black is lacking, and we mark this myth as false. Cats and witches. If you sow it, The cats will know it. She was a warrior goddess, who led the pharaohs in warfare. Some attribute such beliefs to the intrinsic mysterious nature of felines. ghosts or spirits. We're often misunderstood (no, black cats are not actually witches in disguise), we're occasionally moody and sometimes we like to push things off of different surfaces (so, what?!). Cat-shaped decorations used during the New Kingdom of Egypt indicate that the cat cult became more popular in daily life. India and China both had cat fertility goddesses — Sastht and Li Chou, respectively. Cats use their whiskers for navigation, moods and figuring out if they can squeeze under the sofa by pushing their heads through first. Cats mostly land on their feet because of their bone structure and having the ability to manipulate their body quickly (cats also have no collar bone). If cats are playing in the house and an unusually lively way, windy or stormy weather is approaching . Here’s a closer look at 7 feline fabrications we hear most often. The first belief recognises that humans exist on a continuum with the rest of life and that we are not completely separated from other animals. Neutering can lessen or eliminate spraying, and other benefits include reducing the risk for testicular cancer, injury and disease transmission. Here are more superstitions about cats. The cat was a favorite of the Ancient Egyptians, and the death of a family cat was considered a great misfortune. 1* The most popular superstition about cats in general is that a cat has nine lives. Middle Eastern species of cats were domesticated in Egypt about 10,000 years ago and while various other animals were also considered sacred, cats had a special status among those animals. Cats pop up in many religions as well, as both angelic and devilish figures. The Egyptians worshiped a huge pantheon of gods and goddesses, with the inclusion of various sacred animals. ... was a symbol of wind. Also, if a cats brushes against the gown of a bride as the bride leaves the church on her wedding day, the bride will have good luck for years to come. Here are a few common beliefs and superstitions in Mexico. Although these myths and superstitions aren’t going away anytime soon, it’s good to know the difference between reality and fantasy when it comes to our cats and their safety. The bell can toll all day and night, but it won’t make a bit of difference if your cat finds some appealing prey outside — and bird organizations agree. Cats are actually socially gregarious pets. For that reason, cats were to be protected and venerated. Irish folklore features a big black cat named Iruscan. When the cat licks its paws, it also means company, and the company will come from the direction in which its tail is pointing. (American superstition) If a cat washes its face, it is a prediction that a visitor will be arriving. On St. John’s Eve (June 23), it was thought that cats left their homes and went to the meeting places of witches. If a cat follows you when you leave home, it is an omen of bad luck. They are creatures of mystery and in today's episode we are bringing a little of that mystery to you. In other words, they require killing nine times before they remain permanently defunct. Cats may also experience pain with whisker removal, since whiskers are located in a facial area that is rich in nerves and blood vessels. Maybe the Scottish were so mean to cats because of the cat superstition that said that witches often assumed the form of cats while they plagued their family. There are several unlucky numbers in … Alternatively, if the cat calmly and smoothly washes itself, expect fair weather. A German belief says that mistreating a cat can cause a rainstorm to occur on the clothes you’ve hung out to dry. Amazingly, some cats quite like water and even baths. Yes, many do, but this is not true for all cats. The cat is climbing up the post. A New England superstition says that if you give a friend a cat, your friendship will end. In Slavic mythology, there was a belief that killing a cat would result in man incurs the seven years of tribulation. Thank you for purchasing my book and learning more about cats and Buddhism! Cats would lose their sense of balance if they didn’t have whiskers. Cats are huge fans of “Cat thyme,” or Teucrium Marum, the subject of this rhyme: If you see it, The cats will eat it; The persecution of people accused of being witches is a clear example. Cats could cause very bad luck if they snuck aboard a boat, but throwing the cat from the boat would surely cause treacherous weather for the crew. If a cat runs across your path, you will regret it if you do not turn back. Cat Talk Radio Podcast People have dysfunctional thoughts about cats that can become dangerous to them - the cats, not the people. A German cat superstition says that to dream of a black cat at Christmas is a warning of a serious illness to come. Each country has its own folklore and legends, things our parents or grandparents tell us, to ward away bad vibes or to scare us into being good little children. There are many sub-traditions within Hinduism, but there are two beliefs about humans which seem to dominate the religion’s view of animals. Cats are pretty clean, generally, but when the time comes where you have to actually bathe your cat, make sure you take the proper precautions to prevent a slick escape — and use the right shampoo. If the cat while washing its face draws its paw over its forehead it is a sign of good weather. If a cat licks its fur in the opposite way that it naturally lies, there will be significant rain. It is unlucky to weigh a cat or a kitten. Cat Superstitions . Instead of saving the birds or small animals outside, you might create a super-stealthy predator — or, as a Petful reader helpfully pointed out, reveal your cat’s exact location to bigger predators. Muslim scholars are divided on the issue of neutering animals. 3* Black and white cats bring good luck. My first experience with Buddhism and Cats happened when one of my former cats, Tara (appropriately named), was discovered on my zafu (meditation cushion). Group membership was predicted by cat ownership, attitudes toward and beliefs about outdoor cats, perceived impacts, risk perceptions, and management attitudes. Weather will be bad when the cat licks itself “against the grain”. The Scottish also use the family cat as a sort of “canary in the bird cage”… Before entering a new home, the family would throw the cat into the house, so that it could absorb any disease or curse left by former tenants. They are said to, “draw your breath away”. She also protected humans from venomous animals, and since venomous creatures, such as snakes and scorpions were (and are) in abundance in the Egypt… Various Cat Superstitions and Folklore Through History. The most widespread belief was that domestic cats carried the divine essence of Bastet (or Bast), the cat-headed goddess who represented fertility, domesticity, music, dance and pleasure. We hear so many myths and superstitions about cats from friends, family and folklore, but is there any truth to them? In the Netherlands, cats are apparently believed to be gossipy creatures who will happily blab all of your deepest, darkest secrets. Though history hasn’t been as kind to our furry friends as we are today, their mysterious nature has always been revered. Egyptians believed cats were magical creatures, capable of bringing good luck to the people who housed them. Cats have been a creature of myth, folklore, and legend as far back as the beginning of time. Furthermore, there is a belief among some Muslims that cats seek out people who are praying. Ancient Egyptian cats had a sacred status in because of the religious beliefs of Egyptian society. More specifically cats play a role in one’s destiny in the afterlife. Cats are said to be able to see better in the dark than in the light. If a cat washes its face in the presence of several people, the first person the cat looks that will be the first to get married and the first to die. If the family cat should sneeze three times in a row, the family will soon suffer from the flu. These days, cats enjoy significantly less status than they once had; instead of being overlords, weapons, or supernatural … So take precautions around your house to make sure your cat doesn’t have access to anything that will cause him injury, whether it’s a choking hazard or a high open window without a screen. It is unlucky to move into a house in which the former occupants have left their cats. Other beliefs are rooted in ancient Pagan animist culture in Japan, and regards living and natural things as having spirits or powers, making some animals and depiction of animals as bringers of both good and bad fortune. May cats are also inclined to be sad and melancholy. If not, it means speedy rain. Some of these superstitions are universal (think “the evil eye”) and some are unique to a specific place. In parts of England it was believed that cats’ eyes dilated and contracted with the flow and ebb of the tide. Cats are said to be able to see better in the dark than in the light. They say that if a cat comes upon it, they will instantly dig it up. (American superstition) It is unlucky to see a white cat at night. If we consider lions as cats, the cult of the Lion-headed Goddess, Sekhmet, was prominent. A three-colored cat is good luck, and in some places is thought to offer protection from house fires. If a cat washes its face in the presence of several people, the first person the cat looks that will be the first to get married and the first to die. There are shrines that worship cats as gods across Japan and cats have also played a part in folk beliefs through the ages. People sometimes keep cats to keep these "dirty/bad stuff" out of their home. Jumping over a corpse, cat certainly would turn it into a vampire. If a kitten comes into a house in the evening, it is an omen of evil unless the kitten stays in the house, which will prevent the evil from taking place. A spotted cat coming to your house is a good luck omen. If a cat sits with its tail facing a burning fire in the fireplace, it means a change in the weather is coming. It is also entirely antithetical to the revered place held by the cat when it was first domesticated in Egypt around 3000 BC. A superstition in New England says that if you own a white cat, you will live in poverty. 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