Cat History, Lore and Superstition

Cat domestication began about 3,000 BC in Egypt when cats were enlisted to protect grain silos from rodents. These felines became so valuable that they were regarded as gods. The basic domestic cat was descendant from this Egyptian stock.

The cat was sacred to the Egyptian goddess Bast. Cemeteries containing the bodies of mummified sacred cats have been discovered with bronze statues of cats, is dated around 600 B.C. Cats are known to have been a part of Egyptian households by 1600 B.C. although they were not deified until much later.

Small cats never populated North America. The small predators in existence here included the mink, marten, wolverine, and skunk. The first domestic small cats were brought to this region by early explorers and colonists.

The concept of breeds began in the mid-nineteenth century when the idea of cat shows was invented. Pedigrees were developed by breeders from natural cat breeds that were in existence for thousands of years. People took the cats with traits that they most favored and then bred those felines to continue and enhance the desirable characteristics.

The first true cats were found at the beginning of the Pliocene Period, which was about 12 million years ago. The evolutionary processes led to three main types of cats: The Forest Cat, the African Wild Cat and The Asiatic Desert Cat.

Ancestors resembling modern cats first appeared about 10 million years ago, but they were completely wild and did not associate with humans. As humans learned to farm, their grain crops attracted mice and birds, and these, in turn, attracted cats. Gradually, around 8,000 years ago, cats and humans learned that they could form a mutually beneficial relationship --the humans protected and sheltered cats who, in return, protected their human's grain supplies.

Superstitions

Scottish immigrants believed a cat that entered a room where a body was awaiting burial had to be killed at once. If she were not, the next person the cat touched would be struck blind!

The fear of the cat was so great that it was believed evil would strike down anyone who harmed a cat.

A person who kicked a cat was certainly to develop rheumatism in that leg!

A farmer who killed a cat could expect a mysterious illness to kill off his cattle.

Cat superstitions persist to this day. For the most part, Americans believe white cats are lucky and black cats are unlucky. In Great Britain the reverse is thought to be true.

Professional gamblers have the belief that caring for cats and treating them well will increase their luck. This particular superstition was probably started by a feline to ensure a good home.

In some parts of the old world, the cat was placed in an empty and waiting cradle of a newlywed, the couple in the belief she would quickly grant their wish for children. The Pennsylvania Dutch continue that time-honored custom today

Legend of the Pussy Willow

From Poland comes the story of the pussy willow, a plant that has been named for the cat the world over. Long ago, a mother cat cried inconsolably on the banks of a river in which her kittens were drowning. To help her, the willows swept their long branches into the water as lifelines for the little kittens. Every spring since, buds with the soft feel of a kittens silky fur open at the tips of willow branches.

Source: Pet Care Report/ Cats and their History - Ralston Purina Co.

Religious Persecution

Because cats were often deified in pagan religions, they have suffered from religious persecution throughout history. For example, in the 16th century it was very common for a cats to be executed as agents of the devil. Fortunately for today's cat lovers, this practice eventually diminished in popularity.

Cats and Witches

A very early record of the linking together of witches and cats concerns the ceremony of Cat Wednesday which took place in the city of Metz in Northern France. This involved hundreds of cats being burnt alive in the belief that they were witches in disguise

Persecution in the 13th century

Papal might was brought down upon witches and cats in the 13th century when horrible acts of atrocity were carried out on humans and felines. Black cats in particular were believed to be agents of the devil, especially if owned by an elderly woman.

The Celts

The Celts believed that cats had once been human and had been changed into felines as punishment for their wicked ways. Cats were sometimes tied up with silver ropes because it was believed that these creatures had the ability to protect hallowed treasures. Later, Catholic culture mixed with Celtic beliefs and the cat became thought to be the witch's familiar.

In the 16th and 17th centuries

Tens of thousands of witches and cats were put to death in Germany, 75,000 in France and 30,000 in Great Britain. Cats were often tortured, along with their unfortunate humans, before being burnt, or buried alive.

Cats Witches and Halloween

A 17th century English woman, Joan Flower, along with her two daughters, was hung for practicing witchcraft. Joan and her daughters were employed by the Earl of Rutland and were accused of cursing his family. His sons had died, and his wife had become barren, and someone had to take the blame for it. It was said that the daughters had stolen some of the Earl's possessions and given them to their mother who rubbed them on the fur of her cat uttering curses. Nothing is recorded about the fate of the cat, but it is unlikely that it escaped with its life.

Witches and cats have had a long association with Halloween. Because cats are nocturnal creatures and do their roaming at night, they were seen as the servants of witches and out to harm those that the witches had cursed. It was also believed by some that witches had the supernatural power to change into cats and so more easily carry out their wicked deeds and escape detection. Mythical stories recount great gatherings of witches when the seasons changed, on the eve of May Day and on the eve of October 31 Halloween.