Cat lovers everywhere are familiar with the phrase “a cat has nine lives.” When their beloved animal jumps from a startling height, gets in a fight with a vicious dog, or seems to escape narrowly any other danger many probably wonder, is this phrase true? Unfortunately, it is simply an elaborate myth that has been passed down over hundreds of years. The question the becomes, where did this myth originate? There are several answers, all of which might help to piece together this centuries old puzzle.
Ancient Egypt
Though no one knows an exact date, many scholars trace the origin of this phrase back to Ancient Egypt. In this culture, many believed that cats were unique creatures with psychic and supernatural abilities. Ancient Egyptians believed that cats were divine animals, gifts from God, and far less vulnerable to injury or death than another type of animal. Having multiple lives fit in with this sacred view of cats. The question then becomes, however, why the number nine? Though it is relatively unclear, many believe that the Ancient Egyptian sun god took the form of a cat when entering the Underworld. Ancient Egyptian mythology goes on to say that the sun god went on to give birth to eight other gods, thus representing nine lives at once.
Literature
It might surprise you to find out that William Shakespeare referenced a cat’s multiple lives in his famous play, “Romeo and Juliet”. In Act 3, Scene 1, Mercutio states, ” Good King of Cats, nothing but one of your nine lives, that I mean to make bold withal, and, as you shall use me hereafter, dry-beat the rest of the eight.” Mercutio was threatening Tybalt in this scene before they entered into a deadly swordfight. Mercutio was saying that he would take at least one of Tybalt’s lives and, if he felt like it, he might take the other eight too.
In addition to this, there is an old English proverb that states, “A cat has nine lives. For three he plays, three he strays, and the last three he stays.” Though this proverb seems pretty straightforward, it was meant in jest to depict the fact that older cats (when they don’t play with mice or run away) are better companions.
Witchcraft
Another theory of where the phrase “a cat has nine lives” came from is from the ancient practices of black magic, or witchcraft. In 1584, William Baldwin wrote a book called, “Beware the Cat.” In this book, he claimed that it was permitted for “a witch to take her cat’s body nine times.” Some look to this phrase as the origin of the myth about a cat’s uncanny ability to survive multiple near death experiences with relative ease.
The Fat Cat
This theory is probably the oddest of all of the possibilities for the origin of the phrase, “a cat has nine lives.” The story goes that a gluttonous cat entered into a house and found a plate of nine fish. After finishing all of them, the children that lived in the house came down to find no food. They then starved to death and the cat also died from eating too much. When the cat went to Heaven to speak with God, he was angry at the gluttony of the feline. God threw the cat out of Heaven and made him fall for nine days, to represent each of the children that starved as a result of him eating all of the fish. To this day, legend has it that the cat holds the nine lives of the children in his belly, which is why he must die nine times before staying dead.
Physical Characteristics
Though the ancient folklore stories of the origin of this phrase are entertaining to read, the most probable reason that the saying has stuck around for so long and become so popular is because of cats’ uncanny agility and ability to land on their feet. They also have keen senses, particularly those of sight, hearing, and smell. In addition, they are hunters that show precise skill at a young age. They are very aware of their surroundings at all times in order to catch their prey. All of these qualities give way to an animal that can survive many death-defying situations in which other animals would surely perish.
Though the saying about cats and their nine lives may only be based on myths and folklore, cat lovers everywhere need not worry. These frisky felines may only have but one life, but they are very good at protecting it and escaping out of some very sticky situations. Next time you see your beloved kitty scaling the refrigerator or “cat-walking” across a high, narrow beam, breath a sigh of relief. Their senses will lead them to safety, proving once again that there is some truth to myths that stick around for generations.
Want a little giggle?
Watch of this video… (not for the faint hearted – i love my cats but made me giggle).
