Cat Meaning and Symbolism

What do Cats Symbolize

Cats symbolize freedom, patience, adventurous spirit, curiosity, flexibility, affection, mystery, guardianship, sensuality, rebirth, resurrection, and healing from within.

Cat Symbolism According to Color

Black cat: Signalling the return of a spirit to the physical world, it embodies wickedness and evil. However, the presence of one white hair on a black cat predicts good luck.

White cat: Symbolizes good fortune, purity, and happiness.

Grey cat: Stands for a better life.

Golden cat: Promises wealth and prosperity.

Other than these, it is also commonly held that if a cat washes at the back of its ears, it will surely rain.

Having a Cat as Your Spirit Animal (Totem Animal)

To have a cat as your totem animal signifies that you are self-assured and independent. Aided with innate wisdom, you prefer to observe quietly so as to remain in a better position to achieve your goal, rarely seeking assistance from others.

Just as a cat patiently waits for the correct time before attacking its prey, you deal with problematic issues with confidence, patience, and precise timing.

You know exactly what you need and accordingly, voice your opinions only when required. While selecting friends, you deliberate a lot and rarely give importance to peer pressure. Eventually, you tend to become reclusive at times.

You are often extremely unpredictable, not only for being creative and having an intellectual mind but also because a sense of mystery and darkness always accompany you.

Cat Symbolism Spirit Animal Dream

What Does it Mean When You Dream About Cats

Cat dreams may either symbolize your characteristic traits such as feminity and tenderness of heart, or point at some impending misfortune.

A dream of a cat biting or attacking you, in general, reflects your apprehension about reaching goals. It suggests how you are desperately grabbing everything without giving anything in return. However, it may have different interpretations based on the body part that is being attacked.

Seeing a cat biting your foot and making you fall is a signal that a lady is influencing you to lose balance in your waking life. If it bites your hand or finger, it is a reminder that you are losing your feminine aspects.

To see two cats fighting with each other means that two feminine figures in your life are having clashes.

If the dream involves a cat fighting with a dog, it hints at some unpleasant feelings harbored by your female family members concerning your social circle. In Islamic culture, such dreams usually signify that you will be able to escape from someone, who is cheating.

A dream of a cat crying or howling, on the other hand, may predict sorrow, distress, and stress.

A dream of a cat chasing or eating a mouse suggests good fortune. It signals how you are likely to achieve your goals in a short time. If there is a young girl in the house, the dream may suggest she is made uncomfortable by the presence of an overbearing lady.

The appearance of a talking cat in your dream indicates the need for you to come to terms with your inner feminity, or your inner conscience.

If you see a cat eating a snake, it points at the bad situation you are going through and the unsettling emotions you are encountering. To run after a cat in your dream also bears the same meaning. Dreaming of a cat eating a bird is an indication of the success you will get in your romantic conquest.

A cat killing a spider may be a hint of the seductive and cunning manner in which you are using your feminity.

Seeing that a cat is giving birth to kittens is a cue of the responsibilities you’d have in future.

To see a cat following you implies that there is someone who admires you.

Dreaming that a cat is drowning represents an uncomfortable phase in your life.

If you see a dead cat, it is a reminder for you to reclaim your independence and autonomy.

A dream of a cat scratching you with its claws implies that you are feeling unsafe. In Hindu culture, it signifies that you need to be cautious of bad people or you might get robbed.

Dreaming of breastfeeding your cat stands for warmth, security, and delicacy. It reflects adoration for your child.

Dreams of strangling or injuring a cat embody luxury, harmony, and allegiance. Now, if you see yourself killing a cat, then be prepared to receive punishment.

To see someone petting a cat in the house signifies that soon you might hear some bad news.

Seeing that you are eating a cat is a warning for you to be cautious of unfaithfulness.

To see that you are feeding a cat signifies that people around may not be grateful to you.

Dream Interpretations of Seeing Different Parts of a Cat

Seeing a cat’s eye is a reminder for you to look deeply so as to reveal the truth.

Dreaming of a cat’s fur represents your boldness, style, and might.

A cat with its tail cut off may be a reflection of the frustration you are going through since nothing is going as per your planning.

A dream of a cat’s poop, feces, urine, or cat litter is a hint for you to abandon all negativity in your life.

Spiritual Meaning and Analysis of Seeing Different Colored Cats in Dreams

Seeing a white cat in your dream indicates that you are going to face difficult times ahead.

Dreaming of a black cat may symbolize your fear regarding the trust you have in using your intuition. If the cat has green eyes, then it is a message for you to be observant regarding matters concerning love.

To see a gray cat is a hint to pay heed to some hidden message in the dream, as it provides valuable guidance.

If you see a ginger cat in your dream, monetary matters and business will flourish.

A brown cat implies that shortly you will receive good news.

What Does it Mean if a Cat Crosses Your Path

If a cat crosses your path, then it’s time for you to let go of your outdated habits and invoke some fresh changes in life.

Spiritual and Symbolic Meaning of Cats in Different Cultures and Religions

In Bible and Christianity

Here, cats were believed to have associations with Satan, witches and were seen as evil. Thus, they were hung along with their masters if convicted of heresy.

In Native American Culture

Early Native Americans contend that, among a group of girls, the first girl to see a cat washing its face would be married off first.

In Celtic Culture

Celtic people see a cat as a guardian of the Underworld, skilled in preserving its secrets to itself. According to Celtic lore, black cats were tremendously feared and consequently sacrificed.

In Egyptian Culture

Bastet, the cat-faced lunar goddess of ancient Egyptians, symboolizes the sacredness of the animal. Moreover, to serve her meal, cats were often mummified with mice during those ancient times.

In Islamic Culture

Muslim lore recounts that a cat once saved Mohammad from a deadly snake attack. Since then, the animal is honored, and it is further believed that the ‘M’ sign on the forehead of several tabby cats is actually the mark of the prophet (‘M’ for Mohammad).

In Buddhism

Buddhists see a cat’s body as a temporary resting place where souls of spiritual people rest.

In Chinese and Japanese Cultures

In some parts of southern China, it is believed that cats can see ghosts and spirits. Thus, often cats are kept at home to ward off such harmful stuff. In Japan, however, cats are respected for showering prosperity and happiness.

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