Have you ever experienced the feeling of having a cat eye looking directly at you?
Being “stared at” by a cat can be both an unsettling and fascinating phenomenon. Cats have a mysterious quality that is hard to explain. Their piercing gaze often draws us in and holds our attention as if they are trying to convey something we don’t understand.
Not surprisingly, this bizarre experience of being scrutinized by a cat has been explored by some of the world’s greatest thinkers, from ancient philosophers to modern psychologists.
The ancient Greek philosopher Aristotle was the first to wonder, “Why do cats have such a penetrating gaze?” In his book On the Soul (De Anima), he wrote, “Why is it that a cat’s eyes appear more intelligent than those of dogs and all other animals? Is it because cats’ eyes are more similar to our own in shape?” Aristotle also noted that dogs and other animals have a “lower soul” than humans, but cats seem more like people. Thus, by the time of the Renaissance, cats had a reputation for being sneaky, malicious creatures. And unlike dogs, they really didn’t have any use for humans—other than using us as food dispensers, that is. Cats would be seen more as a source of entertainment, rather than an actual pet.
The Cat and Religion
Cats are not mentioned in the Bible, but they were known to have been kept as pets during the time of Jesus. In Egypt, cats were considered sacred. Cats believed that they were the protectors of their gods and goddesses. Consequently, the killing of a cat was considered a crime punishable by death. In ancient Egypt, when a cat died, they were mummified and buried in the same way as humans were. The funeral processions were elaborate and included thousands of people. In the Middle Ages, cats were kept as pets and also used for hunting. They are believed to have been instrumental in helping to keep down the rat population. In England, cats were not considered a domestic animal until about 1660.
Flat Earth and Cats?
Hey, cats also help disprove the “Flat Eart Theory.” Sure, they do – if the earth were flat, the cat would push everything off of it, right? (Sorry. Not sorry.)
The Cat’s Eye images above are available on prints, framed, prints, canvas wall art and on a variety of home decor items. Click an image above or a link below to learn more. Click now.
Link to: Cat’s Eye at Bill’s Fine Art America Gallery
Link to: Cat’s Eye Expressionism at Bill’s FineArtAmerica Gallery
Link to: Bill’s Gallery at Fine ArtAmerica/Pixels