6 Spiritual Meanings of Cats

Cats are one of the most popular pets in the world. But they have also been said to have a mystical symbolism for centuries.

If you’ve had an encounter with a cat that seemed unusual to you, you may be wondering what that meant. Well you are in the right place to find out!

We will examine how our feline friends have acted as symbols for different cultures. And we learn more about the spiritual meaning of cats and the possible interpretations when seeing a cat.

So go here to find out more…

Cats in Myths and Legends

The shared history of cats and humans goes back almost ten millennia. Cats feature in the myths, legends, and art of cultures around the world. So it is not surprising that they have their own rich symbolism.

The ancient Egyptians worshiped cats, perhaps because they protected their grain stores by killing rodents. When domestic cats died, they were mummified and taken to Bubastis, a holy city dedicated to their burial.

The Norse goddess Freyja had two cats as companions. Scandinavian farmers sought her help in protecting their crops, leaving saucers of milk for their cats in their fields.

The Picts, who lived in parts of what is now northern England and Scotland, had a kingdom of the cat. For the Chinese Song Dynasty, cats were preferred pets. And to this day, cats are considered lucky charms in Japan.

However, the connection between cats and happiness is not always positive. Black cats are generally considered lucky in the UK. But elsewhere in Western Europe, cats are associated with bad luck.

Cats also feature in religious stories, albeit more in oral tradition than in religious texts. According to legend, the newborn baby Jesus was lulled to sleep by a purring tabby cat jumping into the manger.

The Virgin Mary shared the gratitude every new mother feels for something that keeps her baby from crying. She is said to have petted the cat and left it with the distinctive “M” on its head, which is common to all tabbies.

An Islamic legend says that the Prophet Mohammed also loved cats. He was so devoted to them that he would not bother a cat to get the cloak it was sleeping on.

Cats as spiritual symbols

The spiritual importance of animals is usually determined by those qualities that are most obvious to us. For cats, these are independence, self-love, sensuality, freedom, patient observation, and curiosity. Few people who have a pet cat will be surprised by this list!

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But with such a range of meanings, how do you know what message your encounter with a cat might carry? And how can you be sure that there is even a message?

Did your cat encounter have a spiritual message?

Unfortunately, there’s no simple checklist you can use to determine if your meeting with a cat had any deeper meaning. That’s because every encounter will be different and every message will be personal to you.

But there are some questions you can ask yourself to find out if your encounter was spiritually meaningful.

Was there anything surprising about the cat’s appearance at first? If you live with a cat and your meeting followed a usual routine, it’s unlikely to mean anything specific to you. (Except maybe it’s feeding time!)

But if something about the encounter struck you as unusual or strange, it might contain a deeper message. Perhaps the cat held your gaze in a way that indicated it was trying to tell you something. It may have followed you for no apparent reason and demanded your attention.

Perhaps the cat appeared out of nowhere and disappeared just as abruptly. Or maybe there was just something spooky about the experience, although you had a hard time pinpointing exactly what it was.

All of these could be a sign that you are being asked to notice the cat and ponder its meaning.

The cat as a power animal

Do you feel connected to cats? Maybe you feel energized when you see them. You may feel an affinity with their behavior and attitude.

Or maybe you have seen cats many times in your daily life. These can be real, meat and blood cats. But it could also include other types of apparitions – in illustrations, in books or movies, even heard at night.

If any of this strikes a chord, chances are the cat is your spirit animal. In some cultures, it is believed that certain animals can act as our spiritual guides and protectors. These are power animals, and cats are one of them.

When you have a cat spirit animal, sometimes it can appear when you need its help or guidance. This may be the case when you are facing a period of change or some other type of challenge.

Just the sight of the cat can give you new energy and motivation. And the encounter may also remind you of your own feline traits that might help you address your issue.

1. The spiritual meaning of seeing a cat

The key to unlocking the spiritual meaning of seeing a cat is to listen to your own inner wisdom. As we have seen, different cultures ascribe different symbolism to these furry friends.

And as individuals, we will also have our own experiences with cats. These will have shaped the associations they have for us. And it’s these associations that are central to the personal meaning of your cat encounter.

Thinking about the details of what happened and how you felt is the best way to gain a deeper understanding. But if you’re having trouble nailing down the meaning, other people’s interpretations can provide useful clues.

Used correctly, these can help you narrow down the possibilities. But remember, the explanation has to feel right to you. If not, go ahead and consider other options.

With that in mind, let’s look at some possible meanings behind your encounter with a cat.

2. A cat crossing your path

In most cases, the sight of an animal crossing your path emphasizes its spiritual significance. You can’t ignore a cat that comes your way! So it can mean that it is particularly important for you to heed his message.

It is also sometimes seen as a metaphor for the future. The road ahead can be seen as a symbol of the days or weeks to come. A cat positioning itself on your path may symbolically place itself on your timeline.

This can be helpful when trying to interpret the message. It could refer to any of the meanings associated with cats – freedom, independence, sensuality and so on. But it could also refer to events in the future instead of what is happening right now.

3. A black cat crossing your path

When it comes to cats, there are also certain details that can affect meaning. And if it’s a black cat that crosses your path, it’s associated with good luck.

However, there is no consensus on whether that brings good luck or bad luck! It is considered unfavorable in most parts of Western Europe. But in Germany, Ireland and the UK it depends on which way the cat is going.

4. A cat running towards or away from you

Cats in general are also considered good luck or bad luck. And that is reflected in another way they can appear – either moving towards you or away from you.

In this case, the cat is generally considered a lucky charm. So if it goes your way, maybe it’s time to buy that lottery ticket!

But if the cat walks away from you, it probably takes your happiness with it.

5. A cat washing her face

The folklore of some Native American tribes ascribes a specific meaning to the sight of a cat washing its face. It is believed that the person who sees the cat will soon get married.

The traditional interpretation applies only to women – and in particular to a group of young girls. It was expected that the first to see the cat washing its face would be the first to get married.

It’s possible that this superstition links observation skills to success in finding a partner. The eagle-eyed girl who spotted the cat might be just as perceptive when it comes to identifying a potential suitor!

Whatever the origins, if you are looking for love, seeing a cat washing its face could be a positive sign.

6. Cats of different colors

Black

We have already seen that black cats can be associated with both good and bad luck. But if a black cat keeps showing up in your home, it’s generally considered a good omen. (Of course, if you have a beautiful black cat as a pet, you’re already very lucky.)

Ginger

Ginger cats are always male (and tortoiseshell cats are always female). So, seeing a red cat could be a message about masculine energy or traditionally male traits.

Ginger cats are also considered to be bearers of good news regarding business or financial matters. If you’ve been waiting for news about an interview or a raise, this could be a good sign!