Psychologists say that having pets has a good effect on a child’s development and helps strengthen the union. Folk omens interpret this statement a little differently: animals are needed at home to protect against evil spirits, maintain positive energy and eliminate diseases. In fact, both statements can be defined as one. How fair they are is best judged by their meanings, interpretations and actual events.
Do calico cats bring happiness?
Having a cat at home in ancient times was a must. Most tried to acquire and lure a tricolor cat into their home as a permanent resident. And it wasn’t just the need to catch mice and rats. A tortoiseshell or seven-colored (very rare), four-colored cat is a creature with magical abilities.
The strength of a tricolor animal could be judged by the presence of colors:
- It was not the yellow, but the red tint that gave the owners of the house confidence in well-being and material wealth. If the pet also had green eyes, then this is a double bonus - no money will be transferred in the house;
- black, but not in large numbers, testified that the calico cat would protect the inhabitants from evil and evil spirits. He will become a true friend to the children and the brownie. A real home amulet;
- white has always been and remains a symbol of purity, kindness and light.
The tortoiseshell cat is a powerful talisman. The characteristics of the pet were judged by the predominance of one color or another.
Three-color cats: exist or not
Almost any adult, upon seeing a tri-colored cat, will immediately say with confidence that it is a cat. Three-colored cats are so rare in nature that people do not even think that this is a male. And in fact, this coat color is genetically determined, transmitted at the genetic level and almost always only to cats.
Did you know? Eleven American presidents have kept cats as pets while in office. Lincoln, Roosevelt, Kennedy, Carter and Clinton kept pet cats while living in the White House.
What Science Says
What is responsible for the color of a cat's fur? Of course, the X chromosome. In cats, fertilization occurs in exactly the same way as in other mammals, including humans. Females have two X chromosomes and one Y chromosome. A male has only one X chromosome and one Y. A female kitten receives one X chromosome from its mother and one X chromosome from its father. A male kitten receives an X chromosome from its mother and a Y chromosome from its father.
The gene responsible for the red color is located on one of the X chromosomes. The genes responsible for white and black colors are on the second X chromosome. This is called mosaic-like appearance of genes. However, in some kittens one of the X chromosomes is condensed and not used, and some of the cells responsible for coat color carry one of the X chromosomes, others carry a second X chromosome. In such cases, the kitten's fur turns out to be three-colored. This is only possible in females, since the male has only one X chromosome.
When keeping cats, questions arise: how to mate cats correctly, how to find out if a cat is pregnant and how to give birth
Signs of different countries
There are many meanings in different countries that confirm one fact: cats are guardians, amulets:
- Ancient Egypt. Sacred animal. Guardian of the hearth, femininity and love. The main task of cats is to protect the real world from the kingdom of the dead.
- England . Protecting the family from troubles. The animal gives harmony, love and well-being.
- Muslim countries. A kind of fire rescuer.
- Japan. China. Cats provide a healthy environment in the home. They present the owners with material benefits. In ancient China, a cat's tail was a symbol of attracting financial well-being and prosperity.
- Slavic peoples. Animals are able to protect and exorcise evil spirits. The cat was the first to be let into the house. A bed was placed in the place where the animal sat down, as it was considered favorable and protected from bad dreams.
Regardless of nationality, sailors take a cat on a ship for a long voyage. And definitely multi-colored. The more flowers, the more positive aspects and benefits from such a fluffy passenger.
Confirmed by folk wisdom
In rainy England there was always a shortage of bright flowers. Tricolor cats are bred here so that an atmosphere of love and harmony always reigns in the family. They are considered protectors from disease and adversity.
Financial success is seen as true happiness for pragmatic Americans. Therefore, a triflower is planted here to receive the support of higher powers in the difficult task of making money. This is an effective talisman that brings success in business. In a house where such a pet lives, money will never be transferred. The tortoiseshell cat has even become the official state animal of Maryland.
In Muslim countries, it is not a tradition to decorate the interior with animal figures, but live pets are held in high esteem. The tricolor cat, according to legend, protects the house from fire.
In Japan, people's favorites are animal colors "Harlequin". They are believed to bring financial success and are therefore highly valued among merchants. If a tricolor sitting in a store runs its paw over its ear twice, the seller can expect a solid client. Since such cats are rare, they are sold as a symbol - a maneki-neko figurine. They are placed in those establishments where they work with clients: shops, souvenir shops, restaurants and cafes, hotels. If the figurine greets guests at the house, it waves its right paw, and if at the entrance to the establishment, it waves its left paw. Maneki-neko with a pearl attract additional income.
In Russia, tricolor cats are also loved by the people. It is believed that it is the “turtle” who gets along best with the family’s guardian, the brownie. She was the first to be sent into the new home to appease it. The sign came from antiquity: the Slavs considered it a good sign if a cat with hair color like the father of the family came into the home. Tricolors, combining all possible colors, were guaranteed to please the brownie, for which they were revered in Rus'. Together with the capricious and grumpy keeper of the hearth, the cat began to ward off misfortunes from the house and take care of the prosperity of the family.
The inhabitants of Scandinavia, who lived in fishing, always took the tricolor animal with them on the ship in order to return with a rich catch and to protect themselves from storms. They are kept in the house to protect against evil spirits and prevent domestic disasters: fires and gas leaks.
The importance of a three-haired cat in the house
Folk beliefs about cats are varied. And to a greater extent they concern the color scheme of the furry pet. If most people know about black cats and their ability to prevent troubles, then about tricolor cats in the house, signs and superstitions have the opposite meaning. If you have a three-haired pet, you can count on happiness and good luck.
Young parents tried to ensure their protection long before the birth of the child. Talismans made of wood, metal and motanka dolls do not count. Because a calico cat brings not only happiness, but a restful sleep. The parents were sure that the cat:
- lulls the baby to sleep;
- during sleep, he will tell fairy tales and provide you with calm dreams;
- protects against dark forces;
- with the help of the gift of clairvoyance, he will warn of danger for many years.
It’s a good sign when a tortoiseshell climbs onto your knees, back or shoulders. This indicates the need to relieve tension, fatigue, and negativity from the owner. The length of stay on the owner indicates the amount of negative energy.
Tortoiseshell cats
With this coat color, bright spots of two colors are visible throughout the animal’s body: most often red and black.
Both If you look closely at the photo of turtles, you can see a bright triangle on the animal’s face - this is a flame, another sign of a tortoiseshell color.
Usually not only the fur, but also the skin of the animal is multi-colored. Thanks to this, even a hairless sphinx can be a turtle. Also, along with an unusual fur coat, there may be eyes of two colors.
The coat color of the Siamese cat is considered the “royal color”. Animals of this color bring their owners success and fame in youth, health and activity in old age.
Cats of a unique tortoiseshell color (not to be confused with tricolor) are suitable primarily for women. They do not harm small children. They say that in the family in which such a cat lives, members of the household have good intuition, and sometimes the gift of clairvoyance. A cat with tortoiseshell fur senses a person’s sore spot and helps him cope with the disease.
If a calico cat came to the house
A cat with three colors is a symbol of goodness, good luck, and family happiness. Protects from the evil eye, damage, slander, and dark influences. But when the animal itself comes into the house, this is a signal about the need to protect the family.
It is not recommended to kick out a visiting cat, as the sign indicates the following:
- early news about a distant relative, inheritance, news about a missing friend, family member;
- wedding, matchmaking. If there is a girl living in the house who is not dating anyone, the appearance of a good groom is evidence of a serious relationship;
- a kitten or an adult cat has settled down and persistently makes its way into the house - prosperity, financial problems will quickly go away and be resolved;
- the neighbor's cat sat in the yard or on the window and takes a long time to wash itself - guests have arrived from afar or a large purchase has been made.
If a tricolor cat strays, you should let it into the house and feed it. After she falls asleep, go to the nearest crossroads and leave three coins of the same denomination on it. Scare away a guest - drive away good luck from the family for 7 years, lose health.
If a calico cat crossed the road
Provided that such a cat crossed the road, the sign can be interpreted as maximally positive. Fortune will accompany a person for at least a week. The tricolor animal also provides protection from negative energy, the evil eye and serious problems.
If a furry creature not only crossed the road, but also followed a person and rubbed against his legs, dreams, even the most daring and long-standing ones, will soon come true. The work started will be completed successfully. There is no need to worry about material wealth: the tricolor friend warns that there is no need to worry: the risk will be justified and rewarded.
For unmarried (unmarried) people, a tricolor cat indicates changes in their personal lives; their significant other is already looking for a meeting.
Wedding superstitions
Cats with three coat colors are the patrons of the family and procreation. One of the meanings of the appearance of such a cat in the yard or house is a harbinger of a wedding or matchmaking. But this only applies to visiting homeless beauties. If a guy’s furry pet fawns over him during a meal, then we can say with confidence: within a year he’ll get married.
If a tricolor has been in the house for a long time, then during the wedding preparations and ceremony you can predict the future of the newlyweds:
- sneezing of a cat near the bride before the wedding - the family will be strong, friendly, happy;
- if the cat does not leave the couple : it ensures well-being, good offspring, covers up envy, anger, and possible magical rituals.
Interesting Facts
- The famous three-colored cat of Rus' is Bayun;
- The flamboyant Cardinal Richelieu kept a large number of colored favorites;
- A popular Japanese souvenir is a three-color “maneki neko” with a raised paw;
- The official animal in the US state of Maryland is the “tortoiseshell” cat;
- 99.9% with this coloration are females;
- Seals with three coat colors are infertile;
- Dilution will not work, stained coloring is a gift of nature;
- On the island of Honshu in 2007 they wanted to close the railway station. The situation was saved by a cat who was appointed boss. The cute creature greeted people, and soon the flow of passengers increased by 16%.
Is it necessary to look for three colors?
It is not necessary to start a “hunt” for tricolor cats because of a sign. It is enough to buy a breed whose coat will be similar to the color of the owner’s hair. But there is a catch: it is not a fact that the acquired red, white or brown kitten will choose the owner of the one who bought it. Hence the belief: the best option for protecting your home, family, and children is a multi-colored cat. It will definitely suit everyone. Wherein:
- will provide comfort;
- will help remove negative aspects of everyday life (quarrels, disagreements, resentments);
- will give you a restful sleep;
- will warn of danger.
If you are an animal lover, you can always adopt two or more kittens of different colors. This will certainly be a good sign, a real talisman of family well-being.
Tortoiseshell cats
A separate feature of the tortoiseshell color is that it is almost never transmitted to cats. Basically, only cats can boast of such a fur coat. This is due to the genotype, in which only the X chromosome can carry coat colors.
We suggest you familiarize yourself with: Signs of moles on the face
There are exceptions: in order for a cat to have tortoiseshell hair, there must be an unusual chromosomal abnormality in its DNA makeup. Such animals have three chromosomes - XXY. Usually these cats do not give birth, but there is an exception even here.
In 2014, an unusual tricolor and very fertile Maine Coon was born in Germany, which was named Mesomix. His chromosome set (HUKHU) is even more unusual, which is why scientists call him a chimera cat.
