While the origin of this myth may remain a mystery, science has revealed that cats are incredibly resilient creatures capable of escaping danger and surviving situations where other animals might not. The article, written by one of the shelters volunteers, is called How One Cat Lovers Feline Craziness Shines Through. Its a great read for anyone who loves cats, and its also a good reminder that even the most dedicated cat people have their moments of feline-induced craziness. Is it true, or is it just fiction? Whatever the reason for the belief that cats have seven lives, its clear that these creatures are often able to evade danger and live long, happy lives. Your pet can and will try to get them, so best to keep them out of sight or at a low profile. So, while we dont know for sure if cats really do have nine lives, they certainly have a reputation for being able to cheat death in some pretty amazing ways. They love to be around people and theyre always the life of the party. YfeboAnvakenss 3 yr. ago. They are confident and like to be in control. The ancient Egyptians, for example, worshipped cats and believed they had magical powers. As with most oral storytelling, there is no evidence of when or where this famous English quotation was first documented. Why do cats use litter boxes and dogs don't? [1], In Islamic tradition, cats are admired for their cleanliness. Theres no way to know for sure, but its certainly an interesting theory. It crops up in a stitch in time saves nine.". Rather than wake her, he used a pair of scissors to cut the sleeve off, leaving the cat undisturbed. This is a common misconception about the Islamic faith, likely because of the similar sound of the Arabic words for cat (qit) and life (qiyam). Unlike dogs, cats can live an independent life in parallel with their owner. One could say that many cultures have a unique take on what cats mean spiritually to them. About our Ads. Is It Scientifically Proven That Cats Have Nine Lives? She comes back from shopping weighed down with presents and toys for him. Food sampled by cats is considered halal, in the sense that their consumption of the food does not make it impermissible for Muslims to eat, and water from which cats have drunk is permitted for wudu (the ablution that is done by Muslims). Everyone Practices Cancel Culture | Opinion, Deplatforming Free Speech is Dangerous | Opinion. They were believed to have been created by thegoddess Bastetand were thought to be able to ward off evil spirits. They love to be around their family and theyre very loyal to their loved ones. What You Need to Know. There are a few theories as to why people believe that cats have nine lives. With their incredible agilityand apparent ability to avoid certain death on a semi-regular basisthe saying that cats have nine lives has resonated across societies and generations. It has been suggested that the idea of cats having nine lives has its roots in Ancient Egypt. Therighting reflexappears at 34 weeks of age and is perfected at 67 weeks. I mean, Ive never actually been reincarnated so I cant say for sure. Additionally, since time immemorial, cats have been feared for being magical. POPULAR BELIEFS AND SAYINGS ABOUT CATS AND THE 9 LIVES. One 2,500-year-old specimen scanned by French scientists in 2019 was found to be several different cats, with a textile ball in the place of the head. Historians have traced the importance of cats and the significance of the number nine to the ancient Egyptians, who considered cats sacred. They were associated with the goddess Bastet, who was often depicted with the head of a cat. Nine is also symbolic in Islamic, Greek and Roman Catholic cultures, to name a few. As humans farmed and stored food, they attracted common prey for cats, such as mice and rats. Theyre also very passionate and they can be quite stubborn. The idea of nine lives may also have come from Shakespeare or traditional sayings. Dispelling the Myth of Nine Lives For one, cats are not described as having nine lives in all cultures. In Egyptian mythology, the goddess Bastet was often depicted as a cat, and she was believed to have the power to bestow seven lives upon her worshippers. However, there is no . Even the most affectionate and characterful cat may make a poor first impression. Another belief about cats is that they have spiritual powers and can bring good luck. Some regions around Spain believe that cats only have seven lives, while in other Arabic and Turkish legends, cats have six lives. complete answer on seniorcatwellness.com, View In addition, cats earned the reputation of having nine lives because of their fast reflexes and ability to survive almost anything. Truth be said, a cat is a unique animal, he can jump from the top of a two-storey building and land safely, look at you and walk away just as if he jumped from a sofa. This educational content is not veterinary advice and does not replace consultation with a qualified veterinarian. When a saying gets to be over 400 years old, it's usually very difficult to track its exact origin. Cats have long been associated with having multiple lives, but is there any truth to the idea that female cats have nine lives in particular? So when I saw this article on the Huffington Post, I just had to share it. For three he plays, for three he strays, and for the last three he stays.". Libra (September 23 October 22): The Libra cat is the true diplomat. Even going way back to the 1st century when they were thrown from towers, cats have had a habit of cheating death. Have you ever wondered if cats really have nine lives? Theyre always the first to try new things and theyre always up for a challenge. As a result, the number 9 was often seen as having great significance in Greek Mythology. Cats can twist their bodies mid-air and land on their feet, thanks to their flexible spine and inner ear. It is most likely a misunderstanding. This might change how we interact with them because we may be more careful around them. The sun god Atum-Ra was said to take the form of a cat so he could visit the underworld. Stories about cats surviving huge falls are commonplace. Do Cats Have 9 Lives In Islam? Another benefit is that it can help people be more mindful of their lives. FRIGHTENING?Continue, Your email address will not be published. For these reasons, I was never allowed near a dog and the idea of owning one never seriously crossed my mind. Can you go to the beach with tattoos in Japan? In the end, your cats life may not be nine times longer than other animals, but it can still be a long and happy one! There is no one answer to this question, as it is still up for debate among scientists. Others believe that it is because they are able to see in the dark and avoid danger. if(typeof ez_ad_units != 'undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'dorkycats_com-leader-1','ezslot_8',167,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-dorkycats_com-leader-1-0');This is based on the fact that the word forcat (Neko)is pronounced the same as the word forluck (Neko). Unfortunately, cats do not have 9 lives, but science has uncovered some fascinating facts about cats and their relationship to a danger that might explain why this myth has persisted . The ancient Egyptian goddess Bastet was depicted as half cat and half woman. The belief that cats have nine lives is simply a myth or superstition passed down through generations. The medieval Egyptian zoologist Al-Damiri (13441405) wrote that the first cat was created when God caused a lion to sneeze, after animals on Noah's Ark complained of mice. Nine has traditionally been considered a magic number, which could also help to explain why cats are associated with nine lives. Your email address will not be published. The number of dog nipples depends on the breed, Dr. Chayasriwong says. There are a few benefits to believing that cats have 9 souls. That's because they were born via eggs or some other mode to incubate the baby other than a placenta. Read also: CAN CATS SENSE BAD ENERGY? . In some cases, cats have even been known to survive falling from great heights. However, there is no denying that cats are amazing creatures that have the ability to heal quickly and survive falls from great heights. Ive done the same thing with a can of wet food.) But in Spain, says Pet Plan UK, you'll hear that cats have seven lives (another number full of symbolic meaning), and Arabic and Turkish legends claim six lives. In certain regions of Spain it is believed that cats have seven lives, for example. One belief about cats is that they have nine lives. So, the next time you see a cat, remember that it may be one of the nine lives! Your email address will not be published. However, while they are indeed quite resilient, it is not true that they can survive any fall or injury. But why was it associated with cats and not any other animal or pet? I am not alone; a total of 3.2m UK households have acquired a pet since the start of the pandemic. In addition, domestic dogs tend to live shorter lives than wolves. Partly it was based on watching a scary video about a cat in her childhood. She created Dorkycats.com to help cat owners learn more about their furry feline friends! In other cases, cats are viewed as powerful and wise creatures that can help protect their owners from harm. If a cat "comes back to life" multiple times, the number nine makes sense when looked at from a mystical point of view. Cats are not immortal, just like us, they have only one life. This is a question that I get asked a lot, and to be honest, Im not entirely sure what the answer is. All these quality are what makes cats truly unique. Across the U.S. there are almost 60 million pet cats, with around one in four households having a feline companion. In Islam, cats are considered to be clean animals and are thus generally well-respected. But if the cats are ordinary cats and are not causing a nuisance, perhaps it is better to leave them alone to reproduce. This information should not be substituted for a professional veterinary consultation. Supports healthy immune system, digestion, lean muscle & beautiful fur. Trim off any excess fabric, and voila! She cooks arguably the best chicken parmesan in the world, and also has impeccable taste in Bollywood music. Some cats can tell you when something terrible is, Read More CAN CATS SENSE BAD ENERGY? Cancer (June 21 July 22): The Cancer cat is a true homebody. So, what does your cats zodiac sign say about their personality? In some European folklore, there are stories of witches or supernatural beings who could transform into cats and have multiple lives. No, cats do not actually have nine lives. The result, then, is fewer cavities. Another theory is that the six lives myth is based on the fact that cats are relatively resilient animals. Theyre also very affectionate and they love to cuddle. Is that because they can survive anything, or does this attribution not match reality? In some cases, cats are considered lucky animals that bring good fortune to their owners. They are confident and secure in their surroundings. While the idea of cats having nine lives may seem like an old wives tale, there is actually some science to back it up. [3] Abu Hurairah reported that he had heard Muhammad declare that a pious woman went to Hell for after she had been annoyed by a female cat, tied her with a rope and neglected to provide her with food and water until she died. In the end, there was only one approach that I knew could work. In this video, . Atum-Ra was said to have given birth to eight other gods. While in most countries the cat is said to have nine lives, in Arab and Turkish proverbs poor puss has a mere seven lucky lives (something that was then inherited by countries that were invaded by Muslims at some point, like Spain) and in Russia, is said to survive nine deaths (ergo, ten lives). She spams everyone with WhatsApp photos of Milo and texts me every couple of hours about how her favourite child is doing. Do cats have 9 lives in Islam? In Japan, cats are also seen as lucky creatures. This means that they are less likely to be injured than other animals, which may lead people to believe that they have more lives. Have you ever encountered this behavior from your cat? Unfortunately, cats do not have 9 lives, but science has uncovered some fascinating facts about cats and their relationship to a danger that might explain why this myth has persisted for so long. We are about to find out.