Why are cats said to have nine lives?

Question

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Answer 1

The orignal start of a cat having nine lives is from the time witches were feared and hunted. It was said that a witch could transform herself into a cat but could only do it 9 times, hence the term "a cat has 9 lives".

Later this term transformed into people thinking that cats could survive injuries/illness 9 times before death.

Nice question.
-Brit

EDIT: I am amazed at how many people believe a cat "always lands on their feet". It is true that cats are very agile but they do NOT always land in that position. If given enough distance and time in a drop a cat will attempt to right itself to land upright but this isn't a guarantee. Even if the cat succeeds it still runs the risk of injury (broken bones or death) as much as any other animal. If you do the research you will find that the phrase "cats always land on their feet" is a complete myth.

Answer 2

The number nine was a lucky, mystical, or magic number because it is the Trinity of Trinities (3 x 3). As cats seem able to escape injury time and time again, this lucky number seemed suited to the cat. While in most countries the cat is said to have nine lives, in Arab and Turkish proverbs poor puss has a mere seven lucky lives and in Russia, is said to-survive nine deaths.

Answer 3

Cats, being their tenacious selves, gracefully skirt near-death situations, making them seem like they have multiple lives. But why the number nine?
The number nine was a lucky, mystical, or magic number because it is the Trinity of Trinities (3 x 3). As cats seem able to escape injury time and time again, this lucky number seemed suited to the cat. While in most countries the cat is said to have nine lives, in Arab and Turkish proverbs poor puss has a mere seven lucky lives and in Russia, is said to-survive nine deaths.
Also the First English Novel, published in 1533 "Beware the Cat" and written by the author William Baldwin wrote:
, “it is permitted for a witch to take her cat’s body nine times.”

Answer 4

Some people believe in the superstition that cats have nine lives, because cats can survive falls from high places with few, if any injuries. This gives the appearance that the cats return to life after sustaining a fatal accidents.

Answer 5

It just really a myth that cat have 9 lives, But 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. But in my views cat can jump from high heights and they never hurts easily so they can survive for long!

Answer 6

A cat opens it's legs when falling from a great height which acts like a parachute - obviously there is a malfunction on the 10th attempt and the parachute does not open!! or maybe it has a cat-nap!

Nine, a trinity of trinities, is a mystical number often invoked in religion and folklore. The cat was once revered in Egypt, and this is probably where its nine lives began. The priesthood in On - known to the Greeks as Heliopolis and now a suburb of Cairo - worshipped Atum-Ra, a sun god who gave life to the gods of air, moisture, earth and sky, who, in turn, produced Osiris, Isis, Seth and Nephthys.

These gods are collectively known as the Ennead, or the Nine. Atum-Ra, who took the form of a cat for visits to the underworld, embodied nine lives in one creator.

Hope this helps Christian.

Answer 7

It started in Egypt where the number nine has magial connotations. Cats were associated with withches, and it was thought that witches could change into the shape of a cat nine times in their life, which over time translated into the belief that cats have nine lives.

Answer 8

Probabaly because they always land on their feet when they fall. Cats can fall off really high balconies and walk away unhurt. They are also risk takers and sometimes seem fearless so this tends to get them into trouble which they mostly walk away from.

They also are very tough animals and can walk away from nasty fights with just a little scratch.

Sadly one of the guaranteed ways of a cat losing it's nine lives are cars. Its a shame that cats have not worked out crossing roads yet. when that happens, they will take over the world!

Answer 9

Hi are many links with cats and also the worshipping of cats through out history from the Egyptians who would deliver the death sentence to someone who hurt a cat to some cults. The Egyptians had a firm belief in the afterlife and also the the theories of reincarnation can also be linked in with nine lives theory. However, our furry friends are generally alert nimble and have good recognition for danger which may aid them to keep them alive.

Also, love the breakfast show.

Trish

Answer 10

I believe it has to do with the fact that they are not loyal house pets and the mere whiff of a better brand of cat food or a few more hugs can entice them to wander into anothers home and use it for as long as they see fit. they have been known to have as many as nine homes on the go at any one time . Hence the saying "cats have nine lives"

Answer 11

A version I have heard is to do with the whip used to keep sailors in order - the cat-o-nine-tails. This was a rod with nine leather flails known as lives. It was still effective as a whip until it had lost all nine lives.