Cats have become symbols of life and death, day and night, sun and moon, good luck and bad, deity and devil. They are a constant source of amusement, humor, affection, comfort, fear, and suspicion. The domestic cat, Felis Catus, is found in the most comfortable location in any house and has a passionate approach to napping.
Domestication of cats most likely began ca. 5000 BC. The history of cats and symbolism is shared by the owl and the snake. What do cats, snakes, and owls have in common? They all eat rodents; one rat can ruin an entire cache of grain. All three animals were encouraged to frequent farms in the Pagan culture of northern Europe; milk was left by farmers for them so they would return – this became a practice of leaving “gifts” for their animal friends, then “offerings” to the animal spirits.
During the Dark Ages, in an effort to subvert Pagan culture, the Church demonized all three animals and it became illegal to even own one as a pet. This effectively destroyed the agricultural commerce of those outside the Church, crushing their independence. From this slander came the modern demonic associations in symbolism to all three animals (Duncan-Enzmann). Cats were demonized with monstrous conceptions to a superstitious world, every black cat became a devil, and every old woman who kept cats became a witch. Since that time cats have become associated with demons, ghosts, omens, vampires, genies, corpses, and witchcraft.
Before their deconstruction cats, snakes, and owls held places of honor in many cultures. Royal and sacred cats have been evident in the cultures of Egypt since 2000 BC. Egyptian temples dedicated to the sun had images of cats in them. A symbol for the sun god Ra is a cat, and cats are sacred to Isis.
The Greek goddess Hecate can turn into a cat. In Indian religious iconography, the vehicle of sage Vidali is a cat. Scandinavian goddess Freya has a chariot pulled by two cats. The goddess Virgo, who holds a sheaf of grain, or corn stalk, has a cat guardian.
Cats, and other felines, are prevalent in symbolism. They are the fourth sign of the Chinese zodiac, corresponding to Cancer. Cats represent the Great Hunter – they are most present while seeming most absent, relentless in purpose, unerring aim, and able to see in the dark. Goddess Liberty is often imaged with a cat at her feet; Romans often used cats on banners, most likely to symbolize the goddess Liberty.
The difference between cats and dogs can be described like this: you feed and pet a dog, it looks up at you and thinks “you must be a god.” You feed and pet a cat who looks up at you and knows “I must be a god.” Or even this: ” You have to look for your cat, I have to hide from my dog.”
