Perhaps thanks to its nine lives, the cat endured; traversing time and cultures, the feline has remained a constant figure in world mythology. We've compiled a list of 127 mystical names for cats inspired by a variety of mystical figures, fairies, objects, places, and stones. I’m thinking you’re here to find a name for your new cat. The English language uses many words borrowed from Greek feline-based myths, including “chimera,” “sphinx,” and “Leo.” A chimera is an illusion of the mind or an unobtainable dream, as well as a genetic term meaning one organ or tissue with diverse genetic composition, like a grafted plant. ... Freya the Norse goddess of love rode a chariot pulled by cats. Aries. Many of the cat breeds known today actually evolved from ancient Egyptian cats. Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mythological dogs. The myth followed emigrants to the New World as well. This is akin to writing "the mythology of wicca", say, and ignoring all witch burnings and dark magic, or doing the mythology of the Aztecs and ignoring the human sacrifices. Vulcan. Hercules would grow up to fight the Nemean Lion. Perched on a rock near the city of Thebes, she haunted travelers going through the pass to Thebes, posing a riddle and bargaining that if they correctly answered it, they could pass; if they failed, she devoured them. Most of us are familiar with some sort of magical tales about our kitties. Maia or Maya (female) - A nymph in Greek mythology and goddess of spring in Roman mythology. In the stories surrounding these fearsome adversaries, it was human wisdom and intelligence (sometimes with the help of the gods) that saved the day from the ravages of this duo’s progeny. There are many myths all over the world about the infamous Siamese cats. Just a few moments after, a lightning bolt struck the exact spot the feudal lord had been standing in. Alonzo – A black and white tom cat in Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats by T. S. 50 Most Popular Greek Mythology Names for Cats. In Norse mythology the cat was closely associated with Freyja, the goddess of love, sex, attraction, and even crops. Famous Cats in Film & TV. Mafdet. Ancient Egyptians highly worshipped and respected felines and protected them by law. Our reverence of cats has deep roots. The Chanel-loving cat won Lagerfeld’s heart after staying with him for a couple of weeks when her first owner, model Baptiste Giabiconi, was abroad. This is a list of dogs from mythology, including dogs, beings who manifest themselves as dogs, beings whose anatomy includes dog parts, and so on. In Islam, cats were always respected and protected. In Japan, the famous image of the `Beckoning Cat’ (the maneki neko figure of the cat with one raised paw) represents the goddess of mercy. Whether lion, tiger, or tabby, in ancient Asian mythology, the cat’s primary role is that of guide and guardian of the human body and soul. CHOUPETTE LAGERFELD, THE CAT WHO IS LIVING THE DREAM She is one of the most glamorous cats in the feline world, taking after her famous human, fashion rock star Karl Lagerfeld. What perfect names for your new kitten or cat. Our reverence of cats has deep roots. If a bride was given the fortune of good weather on her wedding day, people would conclude that she must have fed her cat well. If a cat appeared at the wedding, that was a sign for a happy marriage. Subcategories. Basepaws, Inc. All rights reserved. Find out 10 famous people who loved their feline companions. One of the Bible stories has it that Adam’s ex-wife, Lilith, was a demonic figure who liked to eat babies. Mythology: Cats in ancient Greece. Her petite stature and famous face is attributed to feline dwarfism and her rear end wobbles when she walks. inbox every week. Bakeneko has sometimes been translated as ‘Monster Cat’ or ‘Ghost Cat’, but the best definition in English may simply be ‘Changing Cat.’ The mythological Bakeneko are yōkai (supernatural creatures) that allegedly begin as regular domestic cats. The goddess cat was named Bastet, also known as Bast. In the Temples, special priests were trained to care for them and the rich provided the cats with the best foods and most comfortable living quarters. Adored for their mysterious ways, the world has been dreaming up fascinating stories about cats ever since the ancient times. In absolution, he offered to serve King Eurystheus in fulfilling any given task. Mythology: Cats in Ancient Egypt. Leda (female) - In Greek mythology, a very beautiful woman who was the mother of Helen of Troy. Legends say that as cats get older they change. One breed of cat, the Siamese, has long been associated with the Temples of Siam. Cat Mythology Fact #2: This sacred animal was so important to the Egyptian society and religion, that after the cat's death, its body was mummified and buried in a special cemetery.. Also, the Egyptians had strict laws prohibiting the export of cats. Mythology is a civilization’s collection of stories addressing its worldview, beliefs … Continued In the pantheon of gods and deities, the majestic feline has reigned supreme for over 30,000 years. We finish this top 10 of the best famous cats of TV and film with Cat, the "nameless" companion of Audrey Hepburn in the classic Breakfast at Tiffany´s. The Chimera terrorized Lycia (modern day Turkey), prompting the Lycian king, Iobates, to dispatch the human hero Bellerophon to slay the Chimera. For that reason, in this article, we will share with you names of famous cats from TV and film, that we just happen to … Half snake and half woman, Echidna was their beastly mother. It was believed that a cat’s bite was poisonous, as was its flesh, and if you breathed its breath you’d be infected with tuberculosis. This category has the following 2 subcategories, out of 2 total. China is home to several breeds of dogs today which have DNA dating back some 14,000 years, suggesting that this was one of the places where dogs were first domesticated and where those dogs survived to the present day. Some referred to Bastet as “Lady of Flame” and “Eye of Ra”.In ancient Egypt there was a death penalty for killing a cat. It was believed that when a member of the royal family died, the Siamese would then receive the deceased soul. Check out these other not-so-famous cats with well-known owners. One tale describes a time when a cat fell asleep on the sleeve of Mohammed’s robe, the Prophet cut off his sleeve in order to avoid waking the cat. The noble Chinese guardian lions, Shishi, meaning “stone lion,” date back to the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220). Phoenix. In the pantheon of gods and deities, the majestic feline has reigned supreme for over 30,000 years. According to famed Tarot artist and tarot historian, A. E. Waite, it is the goddess Isis that we see depicted on the High Priestess card of the tarot deck and his bookThe Key to the Tarot(1911). Farmers used to leave out precious milk for cats so Freya would bless their harvests. Writers have always been fascinated by cats and we’re celebrating this Saturday with these Famous Bookish Cats. According to the actress herself, recording the scene of abandonment was one of the most unpleasant she had to do, since she was a … She was often called upon in matters of the heart. Electra – A young feline character in Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats. From the cryptic to the occult, these cute and curious cat names are inspired by mysteries great and small. The fire-spitting Chimera had the body and head of a lion, a goat’s head on her back, and either a serpent’s or dragon’s hindquarters. The practice of protective stone lions standing guard is a concept widely seen in many cultures. The legend goes that a cat, sitting outside of the temple of Gotoku-ji, raised her paw in acknowledgement of the emperor who was passing by. The ancient Greeks saw Bast as a version of their lunar goddess Artemis. {"id":"", "email":"","default_address":null,"first_name":"","last_name":"","name":"" }. One story has it that the cat had a duty of guarding the royal vase. Norse mythology is the ancient mythology of the North Germanic and Scandinavian people. I’ve noted the names that are specifically famous cats in mythology. Discover the best Greek cat names, Greek god names for cats. The pet cat of Nāṣer-al-Dīn Shah Qājār, Babrī Khan, was quite famous (Eʿtemād-al-Salṭana, p. 21), and some Qajar aristocrats kept cats (Hedāyat, Ḵāṭerāt o ḵaṭarāt, pp. ... and condemned her to wander the underworld as a priestess for Hecate. 170 Cat Names Inspired by Greek Mythology. From the Icelandic Yule Lads to sea monsters, Iceland has … Hera, Zeus’ wife, nurtured and trained the deep-voiced, flesh-eating lion, and settled him in the hills of Nemea where he roamed as king, plaguing man. We’ve put together a post on 30 (or so) famous fictional cats for you to enjoy. Gandalf. Armed with charmed arrows from Apollo and a bronze club, Heracles set out for the lion’s double entrance cave. Though he had been defeated, the Nemean Lion’s strength had so impressed Zeus that he put the lion in the sky, forming the constellation Leo as a reminder that the Nemean Lion was the king of beasts. Whether lion, tiger, or tabby, in ancient Asian mythology, the cat’s primary role is that of guide and guardian of the human body and soul. Prophet Mohammed is said to have loved felines very much. … Cat Mania Amy is the founder of Cat Mania and a life long cat lover. To keep Freya on their good side, people took good care of kitties. Ancient Egypt Bastet. Cait sith means “fairy cat.” This cat is the size of a young calf and is all black except for a … Many cats, especially all black cats, were destroyed during the wave of the plague, and their owners at times were persecuted as well. The people of ancient Egypt worshiped the cat god, Bastet, as one of their highest deities. Legends say that as cats get older they change. When the bubonic plague swept the European continent in the 14th century, killing up to 60% of the human population in some regions, the Church blamed the Devil. The Norse goddess Freya (Freyja) had a chariot drawn by two large grey or blue cats (possibly Norwegian Forest Cats) called "Gib-cats" in the Prose Edda (a collection of Norse tales compiled in 1220AD by Icelandic historian Snorri Sturluson). Famous cats throughout history. Leo. There is even a court case documented in 1791 of a cat actually being found guilty of infanticide. According to mythology, Wepwawet was the one who partitioned the earth from the sky. Many of our favorites are inspired by mythology, so that led us to create this extensive list of names we’re excited to share. During the Middle Ages, cats were despised by the Church. The concept, known as “transmigration of soul” is also found in Egypt. Compared to his siblings, the Nemean Lion was relatively easy to defeat. Seen as the familiar of witches, people in the Middle Ages thought cats were also best mates with the Devil. To Freya, all cats were sacred. What do the three have in common? The Greek hero Heracles had returned to his home of Tiryns to purify himself after murdering his wife and children. (Just a guess, considering our site is called Find Cat Names.) He wields a mighty hammer, Mjolnir, that is perhaps the most famous weapon in Norse mythology. Freya the Norse goddess of love rode a chariot pulled by cats. Milo, The Adventures of Milo and Otis Played by Ginger, an orange tabby cat, Milo grows up on a farm with Otis, a pug. The sire of this part-feline brood was Typhon, a conglomeration of beasts boasting 1000 dragon heads with eyes that flashed fire, a human midsection covered in feathers and wings, and a lower body comprised of vipers that hissed, sounding like a lion’s roar. Gata is Greek for cat, but ancient Greek words such as ailurophobia (fear of cats) are derived from the name Ailuros which was the Greek name for the ancient Egyptian goddess Bast. Heracles erected a tomb for his severed finger, marking it with a stone lion as a symbol of his power. These beliefs were particularly popular in Portugal and England. Myths may have been employed to explain a particular ritual, honour heroic actions, or impart wisdom; they could be serious or humourous, and, though ostensibly based on historical events, they did not have to be proven real to be important. It would curl its tail around the vase and stare at it so intensely that its eyes would eventually become crossed. Grumpy Cat first shot to fame in 2012 when a photo was posted online. Devastated by the sight of her beloved babies drowning, their mother painfully cried out for help. The Most Famous Cats In Film If the Oscars had a category for cats, we’d be looking at a long list of sure winners. The guardian lions are found in other Asian cultures with variations on the theme of life and death. Hercules would grow up to fight the Nemean Lion. Leo. If you would like to pay homage to your new kitty’s killer instincts, these whimsical cat names for females from film and mythology charmingly embrace the killer concept. These are just some examples of the cat’s dominance in these endlessly fascinating and deeply complex world mythologies illustrating their society’s cultural and spiritual beliefs. Fact: As a tree-climbing species, the cat’s survival depends on … Bastet, also known as Bast, is associated with the Goddess Isis. Freya presides over the afterlife and she was famous for her affection for love, beauty and fertility. Remember Mufasa and Simba from The Lion King? The Cheshire cat (aka British shorthair) evokes Alice in Wonderland memories, while good-luck cats--as exemplified by the Burmese, Chartreux, and Korat--effectively destroy myths of devil affiliations. Cats as witch’s buddies are still a part of the popular symbology connected with the modern-day vacation of Halloween. H Ancient Egyptians called the cats Mau and domesticated them about 4,000-5,000 years ago. Some accounts give her three lion heads and a goat’s body; in either version she was horrific. Famous Mythology Cat Names- Male. A baby crawls in the morning on all fours, at noon an adult walks on two legs, and in the evening of life, an aged man walks with a cane—three legs. Thor. Freya presides over the afterlife and she was famous for her affection for love, beauty and fertility. To assist Bellerophon in his mission, the goddess Athena gifted him a charmed golden bridle and Pegasus, the winged horse. ‘If you want to write, keep cats.’ ~Aldous Huxley Saturday is known as #Caturday on the Internet. Thus began the tradition of erecting stone lions not only at the tombs of people of stature, but also at the entrances to their palaces, temples, and other important places. These names will likely be very familiar to you as these cats are well known and loved thanks to their roles on screen. There are also tales explaining some of the distinct characteristics of the breed. This name might be good for a small cat or one with a lively personality. We’ve got hundreds of great ideas. Bakeneko has sometimes been translated as ‘Monster Cat’ or ‘Ghost Cat’, but the best definition in English may simply be ‘Changing Cat.’ The mythological Bakeneko are yōkai (supernatural creatures) that allegedly begin as regular domestic cats. Isis is often depicted as a female goddess accompanied by black cats. TARDAR SAUCE AKA GRUMPY CAT. Bastet was also defender of the chief male deity, Ra, a solar deity. Cat Names Inspired by Roman Mythology Venus (goddess of love, beauty and fertility) Saturn (god of Time) Flora (goddess of flowers) Greece is an excellent source of inspiration for kitten names. In England it was believed for centuries that cats were capable of climbing into an infant’s crib and sucking its breath until death succumbs it. The oldest known animal-shaped sculpture is a lion-headed, human-bodied figurine known as Löwenmensch. As the Church was determined to stop the Devil in his dark mission, It engaged in hunting down "witches" and liquidating cats. © 2020. In Japan, all cats were generally loved, but the iconic Japanese talisman (the maneki-neko or the Beckoning Cat) was especially valued as it was believed to bring good financial fortune to its family. Tens of thousands of years before the ancient Egyptians held them in highest regard, felines figured prominently in world mythologies. In fact, cats were so sacred that when a family cat passed on, the whole clan would go into mourning and the animal would be mummified and buried in a special cemetery. Dawon, tiger from Hindu mythology Maahes, Egyptian lion god of war, son of Bast Panther, panther with sweet breath in Medieval Bestiary Sekhmet, a goddess in Egyptian mythology with the head of a lioness Cats are sacred to Freya, the goddess of love and beauty, one of the original fertility … They gifted the animal with nine lives due to its miraculous ability to always land on its feet. The meaning of Wepwawet is “Opener of the ways.” He was extremely strong and in fact, more powerful than other gods at the time. We start our top 40 list with famous cats from film and TV. They bring us together and instill within us a tremendous amount of love and happiness. Odysseus. In 1929, the Nebraska State Journal printed a statement from a doctor who witnessed a cat "lying on the baby’s breast, a paw on either side of the baby’s mouth. They swept their long graceful branches into the water where the kittens gripped them tightly and were safely brought to shore. 3. And of course, we can't forget that they are a popular witch's familiar! Mohammed’s favorite cat was a tabby, and it was believed that the characteristic "M" marking on tabby coats actually appeared when the Prophet laid his hand on his favorite cat. The "Royal Cat of Siam", or Siamese cat is a royal feline coming from Thailand (ex Siam). The cat was central to their religion and was considered to be sacred. The male (yang) rests his right paw on a carved sphere and guards the physical structure; the female (yin) rests her left paw on a cub, symbolizing the cycle of life. Bast Known as the cat goddess of ancient Egypt, Bast, also called Bastet, is the female, first-born child of the sun god Ra. Bastet, a prominent cat goddess from Ancient Egypt, is probably the most famous of all the cat gods. In mythology, Sindri was a dwarf who made all sorts of magical creations for the gods. Though we may no longer recognize it, our 21st century culture is replete with the remainder of ancient myths. ‘If you want to write, keep cats.’ ~Aldous Huxley Saturday is known as #Caturday on the Internet. The goddess cat was highly admired and respected.Bastet was worshipped as the protector goddess of Lower Egypt and guardian of the pharaoh. Another myth explains that the Siamese cats developed tail kinks, because they would keep the princesses rings on their tails, and the kinks kept the rings from falling off. This is a very common cat mythology and most people do believe in this theory. Lilith had the power of taking the shape of a giant, black, polymorphous cat. Before we share with you our list of Greek mythology names for cats, we're going to look into the thought process required for choosing an appropriate name.It includes: Choosing your name based on physical or personality characteristics of your cat. Killing a cat in Egypt at that time was punishable by death. More … The Ancient Egyptians were without a doubt the most cat friendly society. Magical or lucky, angelic or devilish, here are some of the most interesting and surprising myths about these impressive animals from all around the globe. Norse Legend. In Greek mythology was a friend of Alcmene's who was turned into a cat for lying to Hera about the birth of Hercules. Found in Hohlenstein Stadel cave in Germany, the statue was carved from mammoth ivory using a flint stone knife and dates to about 32,000 BC. Ginger – A talking cat of Narnia in The Last Battle by C. S. Lewis. You need to remember that cats are different from dogs and any comparison between them is futile. Fictional Cats in Literature. Cats are rather mystical themselves, appearing in mythology and literature as otherworldly beings. Cait Sith. As first mother of all, Bast, the cat goddess of ancient Egypt had a very powerful role i… Firestar – The main character for the first arc of the Warriors books. Black cats were thought to be Devil’s little minions and were often mentioned in the tales about witches, usually described as riding with a witch on her broomstick. In Greek mythology, Hera the queen of the gods attempted to punish a woman impregnated by Zeus but was prevented by a servant named Galinthias. Cats are beautiful and mythical animals who have kept people talking about them since the dawn of recorded history. With his bare arms, Heracles strangled the lion then skinned the beast with his own razor sharp claws. For centuries, folks in England believed that a cat is liable to … The cat would be moved to a temple with servants, spending the rest of its life in pure luxury. Cats in Norse mythology. The pet cat of Nāṣer-al-Dīn Shah Qājār, Babrī Khan, was quite famous (Eʿtemād-al-Salṭana, p. 21 ), and some Qajar aristocrats kept cats (Hedāyat, Ḵāṭerāt o ḵaṭarāt, pp. Tortoiseshell cats are also believed to be lucky in Japan, especially tortoiseshell males. The Egyptian Goddess Bastet (or Bast) was sometimes portrayed as having the body of a woman with the head of a cat. The Church believed that the cats were helping the Devil and were responsible for the "black death"! Despite this armory, the determined Heracles blocked one entrance of the cave, trapping the lion. Among the most famous was Grimalkin, the witches’ cat from Shakespeare’s MacBeth. Bastet was known as the Goddess of cats, protection, stealth and independence. The Beckoning Cat was credited for saving his life and even to this day it is a symbol for success, harmony and happiness. To their rescue came the willows growing at the edge of the river. Odin. These classic characters are bound to spark some happy memories. 13. Cat people have bad reputations, but many famous faces were cat lovers themselves. They began what later turned out to be a thousand year killing spree of cats! Cats were held sacred in … We’ve put together a post on 30 (or so) famous fictional cats for you to enjoy. There is considerable overlap in world mythologies because myths began as an oral tradition. However, Bastet was shown most often with the body and head of a beautiful black cat. Writers Write is a resource for writers. Mythology: Cats in Norse mythology. In Greek mythology was a friend of Alcmene's who was turned into a cat for lying to Hera about the birth of Hercules. Originally from the royal Siamese city of Ayudha, today the manuscript resides in the National Library of Thailand in Bangkok. . Mythology: Cats in Norse mythology. Worshipped from the Second Dynasty on, Bast was regarded by ancient Egyptians as the mother of all people. During this period, devout Christians associated cats with witches, Satan and dark magic, the black cat in particular was feared the most. Ceridwen, the Welsh goddess of wisdom and mother of the famous bard Taliesin, was attended by white cats who carried out her orders on Earth. Domestic cats have their place along side the big cats in mythology, too. All are Greek mythological hybrid feline creatures; the Chimera, the Sphinx, and the Nemean Lion, or Leo, were pedigreed monster siblings from a fierce family that wreaked havoc on humans across the countryside with no Cat Daddy to call for help. Whether you choose a Goddess, titan or other characters from Greek mythology, your cat deserves a suitable name that reflects her personality. Legends from Thailand (Siam), Burma, and other Asian countries, have cats as the vessel that transports a monk’s or royal person’s soul to heaven after death. She bestowed the gifts of sexual pleasure, joy, beauty and grace. Cats can be famous just because of their unusual looks (not like us, humans). Did you see Venus the two-faced cat, Grumpy Cat, Hamilton the hipster or Colonel Meow? She is … The Cat in Celtic Lore and Shakespeare. Hello cat lovers! Apollo. If you are obsessed with pop culture, here are 130 famous cat names you'll want to check out. Get all the cats you can Here are just a few of the cats found in mythology. In Norse mythology, Freya, goddess of fertility, war, and death, would lead Valkyries into battle to collect fallen soldiers, riding on a chariot led by two formidable blue cats: Bygul and Trjegul. Many animals in Egypt were linked to gods and goddesses, but only the cat was considered to be semi-divine in its own right. And the fifth sign of the zodiac in astrology? One of the preeminent goddesses in the Norse mythology was Freya ("Lady"). While magical cats are nothing new, it is interesting to note that even the Great Bard, Shakespeare spoke of Graymalkin in Macbeth. Heracles lost a finger, but returned victorious, wearing the lion’s skin, a cloak that would serve as his protective shield in his upcoming trials. Mythology is a civilization’s collection of stories addressing its worldview, beliefs and ideals, and cultural history, usually dealing with universal themes of creation, the life cycle (life, death and rebirth), and the explanation of naturally occurring phenomena. Cats are not aloof and are very well tuned into the environment. Although cats seem to have enjoyed their ancient high standing in European countries at first (in Norse mythology, for example, the great goddess Freya is depicted in a chariot drawn by cats and in both Ireland and Scotland cats are depicted as magical in a positive sense) the Christian Church, following their regular course of demonizing important pagan symbols, drew on the pre-existing link … The Leonine Mother . This kitty has enjoyed a luxurious and royal status for centuries. During the time period of AD 1350 to AD 1767, Siamese monks labouriously transcribed and illustrated a manuscript, Tamra Maew, or “Cat-Book Poems” or “Cat Treatises.” The work includes hundreds of pages chronicling their adoration of the temple cats. Whether you Choose a goddess, titan or other characters from Greek mythology, Sindri was a demonic who. Of art have been dedicated to the Grimalkin famous cats in mythology semi-divine in its own right strangled the lion this! National Library of Thailand in Bangkok arms, Heracles set out for help first to the. Beings and do not make an attempt to interact with them Asian cultures with variations on Internet! Eventually become crossed, especially tortoiseshell males especially tortoiseshell males considerable overlap famous cats in mythology. ) was sometimes portrayed as having sphinx-like traits the blueness of death. `` Middle Ages, cats were the! Cats. ’ ~Aldous Huxley Saturday is known as # Caturday on the theme of and! 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