Cats in myths and legend
Welcome to Cats in myths and
legends, Who could manage to get itself so tangled up in myths
and legends, but the humble cat. From ancient egypt to the Roman
empire, from medieval times to the present day, through every
religion the cat makes its appearance. Every book on wisdom,
knowledge and foklore I have ever read this four legged little
creature pops up.Here is a small section I have collected over the
years.
In many native American cultures Cats had powers of life and
death, corresponding to those of the egyptian god Bast. Warriors
wearing cat masks would partake in ceremonies, hoping that the spirit
of dead cats would enter their bodies and give them feline stealth
and cunning.
One of the holiest cats in history was Meuzza, which belonged
to Mohammed. According to legend, the prophet was called to prayer
one day. The cat was asleep on his arm and rather than wake the cat,
Mohammed cut the sleeve from his robe and set it down with the dozing
cat. The blessed cat resides in paradise.
According to the Koran, the cat is the esscence of purity. A
cat hospital was built in Bab-el-Nasz, and it was considered a
blessing to bring food to the patients. It is unlawful to chase cats
from Mosques.
According to lore contributed to the
Dutch, only on christmas eve, and then only in private, do cats get
on their knees, fold their paws together, shut their eyes and pray.It
isn't known what they pray for. though legend has it that they get
what they wish - which is why not a creature is stirring that night
"not even a mouse."
In Norse mythology, the cat was the special animal of Freyja,
the Scanddinavian goddess of fertility, beauty, love and marriage. In
this capacity the equivilant of a Judeo-christian angel cats were
responsible for drawing her chariot through the skies. It was
considered good luck to get married on her namesake day - Friday,
since this guaranteed fertility for the newley weds.
Cats and Lions were considered sacred in ancient
China, presumed to have the power to repel evil with a glance or
roar, respectively, and to protect crops from predators. These
animals were sometimes pictured with wings, as befitted their
celestial status. As Lions became extinct, the chinese bred the
Pekingese dogs to resemble them and take their place in holy
pantheon.
Some cats didn't stay in the afterworld long
enough to be considered angels. As far back as the fifth century
A.D., both Chinese and Japanese mystics believed that good people
were reincarnated, not as people, but as cats. That is why when cats
showed up on doorsteps they were taken in and pampered. Many
Budshists and Hindu sects believe that going from human to a cat is a
step forward in achieving Nirvana, a state of perfect freedom from
pain and worry.
According to an old european folktale, when cats
were first created they had wings, but they preyed on birds and
threatened them with extinction. So God took away their cat wings
though he turned their flutter into a purr, reminding kittens of the
time and form which they were most content,
Cats arn't mentioned anywhere in the Bible, which
may have to do with their importance, as deities, to the Egyptians.
On the other hand, there are a number of dogs in the bible, which
might also explain their abscence. (Charlton Heston)
In ancient cultures the cat was both a solar and
lunar animal. It was said to be psychic and could predict coming
disasters people thought it could also affect the weather, hence the
expression "raing cats and dogs"
Many deities were connected to some branch of the
cat family. Artemis and Diana were both called the Mother of cats;
the Roman goddess Liberty was portrayed with a cat at her feet.
Although the followers of Zoroaster believed that cat were familiars
of the evil god Ahriman the Moslems believed the cat was a good
creature given by Allah to help humans. The Hindu goddess Shasti
rides a cat; the symbol of prolific fertility and birth.
In Celtic traditions cats were associated with the
underworld powers, the dead, and prophecy. Often they were portrayed
as evil creatures, but this may have been the wildcat, in Celtic
countries, which were untamed. Irish legends tell of a cat called
little cat who was a guardian of treasure. In Wales great cat who was
powerful being born of Henwen, an enchanted sow.
In Norse mythology the name Freyja appears again,
her chariot was drawn by two cats. After the people converted to
christianity, Freyja became a witch and her catblack horses possessed
by the devil. This new legend said that after seven years, the
cat-horse earned the right to become witches disquised as black cats.
This rewrite of the Norse goddess story may be the origin of the
unlucky cat superstition. Those taught to fear the devil would
consider black cats to be his evil helpers.
