In ancient Egypt, cats were revered as gods, and it was believed that they brought good luck to those who treated them well. Conversely, in medieval Europe, cats were often associated with witchcraft, and it was said that they brought bad luck to those who crossed their path.
Cats, known in ancient Egypt as the mau, played a large role in ancient Egyptian society. They were associated with the goddesses Isis and Bastet. Cats were sacred animals and the goddess Bastet was often depicted in cat form, sometimes taking on the war-like aspect of a lioness.
Evil beings such as demons were considered to be able to take the form of many different animals such as Weasels and Cats. Thus Cat's spiritual meaning can refer to both mystical power, sorcery and Divine Feminine power, wisdom and insight but also evil or the souls of the deceased, depending on the specific story.
Cats are historically known for their psychic and intuitive abilities which they naturally use to impart their deep sense of wisdom to us. They always seem to know where their owners are at all times and will often be sat waiting for us at our moment of return home as if they knew the exact time of our arrival.
In ancient times, diviners kept them as pets because they believed they had psychic skills or could foretell the future. Some individuals still hold the belief that cats can function as guardian angels or spiritual protectors in today's world. As spirit animals, cats may be contacted in numerous ways.
Bastet is probably the best-known feline goddess from Egypt. Initially depicted as a lioness, Bastet assumed the image of a cat or a feline-headed woman in the 2nd millennium BCE. Although she combined both nurturing and violent qualities, her shielding and motherly aspects typically were emphasized.
In Japanese folklore, cats are the symbols of good luck and are said to have protective powers. Let's take the story of maneki-neko for example.
Some Muslims believe that having a pet cat brings angels into your home. Cats on prayer mat. In Islam cats are thought to be ritually clean.
The Fauna Communications Research Institute found that every cat in their study created purr vibrations within the range that is medically therapeutic (20-140 Hz) for: bone growth and healing. pain relief. swelling reduction.
When a cat comes into your house: Golden cats signify good luck hidden in bad luck. They are believed to be an auspicious sign of good fortune. But it is better to chase Black & White Cats away as they signify betrayal and death respectively.
Cats of Prosperity
In Japan, China, and other Asian cultures, all cats are seen as a symbol of good luck and prosperity. Several beliefs deal specifically with black cats. If you keep a black cat safe and well cared for, they will reward you by frightening away evil spirits and bringing wealth to the household.
1. : a carnivorous mammal (Felis catus) long domesticated and kept as a pet or for catching rats and mice. 2. : any of a family (Felidae) of mammals including the domestic cat, lion, tiger, leopard, jaguar, cougar, wildcat, lynx, and cheetah.
Put a cat in the empty cradle of newlyweds, and a baby will arrive soon. If a cat sneezes three times, someone will catch a cold. When a cat washes its ears a lot, it will rain. Having a cat in a theater is good luck.
Cats in Greek Mythology
In ancient Greece, cats were venerated and considered as divine beings. Some Olympian gods had cats as companions.
The bakeneko! Literally "cat-monster", the bakeneko is a yôkai (spirit of Japanese folklore) taking on the appearance of a long-tailed cat. This tail would allow it to walk on two legs, and some special abilities like speech, metamorphism, and even the resurrection of the dead!
Cats were represented in social and religious practices of ancient Egypt for more than 3,000 years. Several ancient Egyptian deities were depicted and sculptured with cat-like heads such as Mafdet, Bastet and Sekhmet, representing justice, fertility, and power, respectively.
Petting a purring cat makes your nerves calm and reduces stress levels. Cat's purrs also decrease the symptoms of dysponea in humans. Interaction with cat and listening to his purrs also reduces blood pressure. Purr vibrations also help in healing swelling and infections.
Night vision is a cat super power. Cats eyes are as much as seven times more sensitive in low light conditions. They cannot see in total darkness, but they need very little light. They are effective night hunters, especially at the edge of night.
Cat purring has been shown to fall between 25 and 140 Hz. The same frequency has been shown to aid in the healing of broken bones, joint and tendon repair, and wound healing.
“Cats were not worshipped as gods themselves, but as vessels that the gods chose to inhabit, and whose likeness gods chose to adopt,” Skidmore explains. Through their ubiquitous presence in the art, fashion and home ornamentation of ancient Egypt, cats served as an everyday reminder of the power of the gods.
Hitting, kicking, or physically harming a cat in any way, from a “light tap” to a hard smack, is inhumane, morally wrong, and guaranteed to instill fear in any cat—breaking her spirit and her heart in the process.
If you have a cat, you are likely no stranger to receiving 'gifts' from time to time. These treasures may take the form of dead spiders, mice, bigger prey like rabbits or squirrels (if your cat is a particularly adept hunter) or they may even be inanimate objects like teddies.
Originally, maneki-neko were white, but over the years with the combination of Feng Shui, different color variations were born. The original white color is to get good luck and overall good fortune, while black is to ward off evil, red is for good health, yellow or gold is for wealth, and pink is for romance.
To the Chinese, for example, they're a symbol of good luck. And cats have been respected in Islam for hundreds of years.
Lucky Cat Meaning in Feng Shui. Many people believe Maneki Neko is waving, but the lucky cat is actually beckoning, inviting positive attributes such as wealth, luck, or customers towards it. Some feng shui practitioners have adopted Maneki Neko as a good luck symbol.