
Does cats have 9 lives?
So where did the myth about cats having nine lives come from?
William Shakespeare refers to the nine lives myth in his play Romeo and Juliet. There is also an ancient proverb that claims, “A cat has nine lives.
Some people believe the nine lives myth is related to cats' ability to always land on their feet. Cats are also known for their dexterity and agility. Some people likely began to believe that cats must have multiple lives. Ancient Egyptians believed that cats were divine creatures with psychic or supernatural powers. The idea that they could have multiple lives fit right in with their view of cats.
But why nine lives?
For example, the ancient Egyptian sun god, Atum-Ra, was believed to take the form of a cat on visits to the underworld. Legend has it that Atum-Ra gave birth to eight other gods and thus represented nine lives in one. The number nine — sometimes called “the trinity of trinities" — is also believed to be mystical in many religions and regions around the world.
The myth that cats have multiple lives exists in many cultures around the world. It's not always nine lives, though. Some Spanish-speaking regions believe cats have seven lives, while Turkish and Arabic legends claim cats have six lives.
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