Books, movies, and cartoons about pets often mention the belief that cats have not one, but nine lives. Supposedly, an animal can lose one life after another during an accident, up to nine times. It’s comparable to losing lives in a video game. Now that’s a superpower! However, in reality, things are quite different…
Historians speculate that the myth of cats’ nine lives arose from their unique agility and ability to land on their feet without injury when falling from great heights. Furthermore, in various cultures, the number nine brings good luck. Cats and the number nine are often associated with magic. There are several theories as to the origin of this belief.
1. Unique agility and flexibility of the body
This belief is so ancient that it’s difficult to trace its origins. It exists in many countries, and has been around for many years. The most common explanation centers on the abilities of the feline body. These animals possess incredible flexibility, agility, and dexterity. They can escape situations that would kill other pets. Cats are also aided in this by their reflexes and innate intuition, which senses danger well in advance.
It’s worth noting that cats have perfect spatial orientation, even during free fall. When falling from great heights, they always land on all fours, thereby preserving their lives. Taken together, these bodily characteristics allow them to be described as creatures from another planet, with nine lives to spare.
2. The number nine has a mystical meaning.
But why was the number nine chosen? This number is considered mystical by various cultures. It is with nine that a full cycle is completed—a transition to a new level occurs. Nine symbolizes completeness, intuition, and wisdom. In various cultures, nine is also associated with unknown worlds and a transition to another state.
According to a strange legend, a cat spends its first three lives playing, the next three wandering freely, and from its seventh through ninth lives, it simply sits at home.
In 2016, the family comedy “Nine Lives” was released. The film tells the story of a billionaire living in the body of a house cat, into which he accidentally inhabits. The phrase “nine lives” can also be found in William Shakespeare’s play “Romeo and Juliet.”
3. Legends of Ancient Egypt
From the history of Ancient Egypt, we all know that cats are sacred creatures. This is connected to Bastet, a goddess in ancient Greek mythology. Artists often depicted her as a girl with the head of a cat, or as a furry pet. It was believed that she could transform into a cat in an instant. She was also the patroness of all domestic animals. She was also called the protector of mothers and their children. In Ancient Egypt, she was revered and respected. However, if angered, she could transform into a lioness.
The Egyptians also had another belief connected to Ra, the cat god who had nine lives, manifested in one. Ancient myths have preserved the phrase, “A cat has nine lives.” And if the Egyptians believed this, it must have been for a reason…
4. Myths from other cultures
Similar myths and legends about cats are found in other cultures. For example, in India, people believe in the god Shiva, which means he could influence the life of a pet. And indeed, he did. There’s a legend that the deity encountered a boastful cat. She began to prove that she could count. Then Shiva asked her to count, and in return, she would receive lives corresponding to the last number in the count. Unfortunately, the lazy cat fell asleep on nine. But the god fulfilled his promise. Thus, the cat received nine lives.
In Greece, cats are associated with the moon goddess Diana, who always appears to people in feline form. In ancient Greece, the lunar year consisted of nine months, during which the goddess died nine times.
In Turkey, however, it is believed that cats can actually die nine times. After the last time, they depart forever.
