Theyre also quite reserved and they can be quite stubborn. As a result, some people have linked the saying of cats having nine lives with this myththe eight gods, plus Atum-Ra, equal nine lives. And as they expanded across the world, so too did the myth of multiple lives. Libra (September 23 October 22): The Libra cat is the true diplomat. What's the best age to learn an instrument? But we are going to follow the ancient Egyptians and say our cats have 9. Because of this, the myth predates the late 1500s and possibly has ancient origins. I don't care who dies in a movie as long as the dog lives? In many countries such as Germany, Spain and Turkey, the Common Belief is that cats actually have 7 lives. FRIGHTENING? Do they real have nine lives? In complete contrast, I am an ailurophile. The black and white cat was holding on with just one arm when it plunged around 30 feet, with crowds holding out an American flag in an effort to break its fall. We work to make the world a better place for cats, and we're getting better for you. Read more here. There are a few theories as to why people believe that cats have nine lives. Nine has traditionally been considered a magic number, which could also help to explain why cats are associated with nine lives. Why do cats use litter boxes and dogs don't? WHY, ADVICE AND REMEDIES. We all have challenges and struggles, and its important to remember everyone is fighting their own battle. Plus, they get up to so much mischief we want the nine lives saying to be true!". There are feral cats all over the world. This is because they have a unique ability to regenerate their cells. Cancer (June 21 July 22): The Cancer cat is a true homebody. While Muslims are completely free to live with cats, they must treat the cats well. . CAN THE BELIEF IN CATS HAVING 9 SOULS CHANGE THE WAY WE SEE THEM? Some say that cats have nine lives because they are able to land on their feet when they fall from a great height. These stories may have also contributed to the belief that cats had nine lives. As a result, you may take fewer things for granted and be more present in your life. 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). Christine Brovelli-O'Brien, Ph.D., is a writer, STEAM educator, and long-time cat mom. Theyre also very affectionate and they love to cuddle. The origins of the nine lives belief are unknown, but there are a number of theories about how it started. It is possible that the myth originated from the fact that cats were often associated with the goddess Bastet, who was thought to have had nine lives. This isn't due to magical powers: It's their biological make-up. Dogs can be hit and abused by cruel owners and will come back for more. So, while we may not know exactly how many lives cats have, it is clear that they are tougher than most animals and have a better chance of surviving even the most dangerous situations. Another story is, upon returning from the mosque, Muhammad received a bow from Muezza. In this video, . Pisces (February 19 March 20): The Pisces cat is the true dreamer. Are those adorable pets actually evil? In fact, the Egyptians were so enamored with their feline friends that when a cat died, the entire household would shave off their eyebrows as a sign of mourning. 5. InAncient Egypt,cats were considered to be sacred animals. In Islam, cats are considered to be clean animals and are thus generally well-respected. Cats also have super-flexible bones with a light structure and a thick fur all which they use to their advantage. Cats Are Modern Day Ninjas. For the scratching post itself, youll need a sturdy piece of wood (at least 2 feet tall), a piece of sisal rope, and some carpet or fabric. DO CATS BITE THEIR NAILS? If youre a cat person, you know that each feline friend has their own unique personality. Cats who sleep in this position often have a regal air about them and enjoy being the center of attention. Cats have nine lives, according to popular belief. The righting reflex, along with their flexible bones and ligaments, is how they are able to survive falls from huge heightsheights that would prove fatal for most other mammalian species, cementing the old saying that cats have nine lives. Dogs have yet to make this reputation. Learn how getting rid of cat odors in carpets and fabrics is key to getting your house to smell fresh and clean. Whenever we used to visit family and friends who owned cats, I would have to notify them half an hour in advance to hide them, in fear of my mothers reaction. Moreover, Cats have long been associated with having nine lives. This information should not be substituted for a professional veterinary consultation. Others believe that the seven lives refers to the fact that cats have seven different stages in their lives, from kittenhood to old age. What do dog groomers use to make dogs smell so good? As a passionate fan of everything about cats, she is is more than happy to be the editor and provide content on what she is passionate about. (I can relate! This is a question that I get asked a lot, and to be honest, Im not entirely sure what the answer is. 3. For thousands of years, people have been captivated by cats. Though fleas can strike all year round, you are most likely to. Some regions around Spain believe that cats only have seven lives, while in other Arabic and Turkish legends, cats have six lives. The proverb that started it all states: "A cat has nine lives. For that reason, cats are often depicted in paintings alongside Islamic scholars and bibliophiles. This is likely due to their ability to escape dangerous situations unharmed. This is a question that has been asked for centuries, and there is still no clear answer. In my culture, theyre viewed as dirty and if I had even stroked one, I would have to shower. Heres a guide on how to make your own cat scratching post, complete with all the nitty gritty details. CATS HAVE A SECRET AGENDA. Stock photo of a cat. Much to my disappointment, my mother never wished to join these legions of pet-lovers, particularly when it came to cats. CAN CATS SENSE BAD ENERGY? William Shakespeare also references nine lives in his 1597 tragedy Romeo and Juliet, appearing in Act 3, Scene 1 during a fight between Tybalt and Mercutio. 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). If someone outside of the family killed a cat, that person could be put to death. The same is true in some Asian cultures. Vittoria is a full-time blogger with a passion for cats and pets in general. For example, they believed it took nine days to fall from heaven to Earth. So, the next time you see a cat, remember that it may be one of the nine lives! These are just a few of the reasons why scientists are exploring. Due to how cherished and loved cats are in Islam, the mistreatment of this animal is considered a serious sin. In fact, the number of lives a cat has varies depending on the culture. Every day, my mother spends hours gawking at him, besotted. In many countries such as Germany, Spain and Turkey, the Common Belief is that cats actually have 7 lives. For example, you may notice when yourcat is purringor rubbing against your leg, and you may appreciate their presence more. Anita Kelsey, U.K. feline behaviorist and author of Let's Talk About Cats, told Newsweek: "No one really knows for sure where that saying came from and we can only go on myths such as from ancient Egyptian times As the Egyptians revered cats the myth of the saying originating there does sound feasible.". Meanwhile, some Turkish and Arabic legends say cats have six lives. As any cat parent can tell you, all you have to do is observe a cat's ability to leap, twist and land on their feet to see why this myth is a lasting legend. In Turkish and Arabic legends, cats have six lives, while in some Spanish speaking regions, as well as in Brazil, Italy, and Greece, people believe that cats have seven lives. They are curious and like to explore their surroundings. What You Need to Know. They are thought to be ritually clean which is why they're allowed to enter homes and even mosques.. The myth is attributed to the natural suppleness, and swiftness cats exhibit to escape life-threatening situations. Preparing to attend prayer, he began to dress himself; however, he soon discovered his cat Muezza sleeping on the sleeve of his prayer robe. [8][9] Muhammad awoke one day to the sounds of the adhan. Dominican Republic - Repblica Dominicana, Greater China - Hong Kong SAR (English), Do Cats Really Have Nine Lives? Cats are not immortal, just like us, they have only one life. Cats can sense bad energy and alert you when there is something wrong. Both cats and dogs can pick up each other's behaviors, and their humans, too. However, cats are known to be remarkably resilient creatures, and they do have some amazing survival stories. She says that he is like a playful, charming teenager who doesnt answer back. No surprise that so many young people are, like me, behind this trend. Pet cats were mummified and buried. Here is the truth about cats. CATS HAVE A SECRET AGENDAContinue, Are you curious about the cat crying outside my house superstition? So it is obviously not a possibility. The Egyptian god Atum (also called Atum-Ra) was thought to take the feline form when visiting the underworld. Nevertheless, I still wanted a cat, and desperately needed my mothers approval, so she could allow me to buy a cat from a reputable source, without trying to acquire one clandestinely on the internet. In some cultures, cats have 9 lives, while in others, 7. Another theory is that cats are able to regenerate their cells at a faster rate than other animals. Scorpio (October 23 November 21): The Scorpio cat is the true mystery of the zodiac. Cats communicate subtly and quietly. "Mercutio: "Good king of cats, nothing but one of your ninelives" Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet[Photography by @eMCT] pic.twitter.com/RqSSyd3mf1, Kelsey says the saying has endured because of our connection to felines: "We love cats and want them to be mystical and all powering. Here are the benefits of cats in Islam: 1. They were believed to have been created by thegoddess Bastetand were thought to be able to ward off evil spirits. So, where did the idea that cats have nine lives come from? In other cases, cats are viewed as powerful and wise creatures that can help protect their owners from harm. In Arabic culture, cats have seven lives, and in some Spanish-speaking nations, the poor kitties only have six lives. Different cultures have different views on cats and their supposed nine lives. Nine is also symbolic in Islamic, Greek and Roman Catholic cultures, to name a few. Since then she has said there is something disturbing about their piercing stare and how quickly they can dart away, vanishing into thin air. So, do I believe that humans have nine lives? [1], One of Muhammad's companions was known as Abu Hurairah (literally: "Father of the Kitten") for his attachment to cats. Do cats have 9 lives? The ancient Egyptians believed these animals were sacred and divine beings with supernatural powers. Youll also need a drill, saw, and other basic tools. We couldnt help laughing at her overreaction and yet her fear of cats was genuine. Now that you know the science behind cats legendary nine lives, its time to put this myth to rest and focus on taking proper care of these beloved pets. Cats have long been considered to be lucky animals, and in many cultures, they are thought to have seven lives. Do cats really have 9 lives? "Cats have nine lives" is a saying that has been around for hundreds of years at least. This might change how we interact with them because we may be afraid they will see ghosts or spirits around us and tell them what we are doing. ARE THERE ANY BENEFITS TO BELIEVING THAT CATS HAVE 9 SOULS? Hill's Pet, How to Make Your Own DIY Cat Scratching Post, Removing Foul Smelling Cat Odors From Your Home, How One Cat Lover's Feline Craziness Shines Through.