Ancient Chinese process of bringing cat home to raise as pet was similar to marital contract
Rich feline history which saw emperors laud the animals and poets wax lyrical about them precedes popularity of today’s household pet
As feline companions, cats have woven themselves into the fabric of modern Chinese life, appearing in homes, cafes and even fashion shows.
But what you might not know is that their appeal is rooted in ancient times.
In fact, bringing a cat into the home and raising it as a pet once followed rituals similar to marriage in ancient China.
Scientists have revealed that the earliest domestic cats appeared around 1,400 years ago during the Tang dynasty (618-907), arriving in China from Central Asia via the Silk Road.
Historical records tell of a provincial governor during that time, Zhang Bo, who loved cats.
Every time he returned home from work, dozens of cats would greet him, rubbing against him and wanting to be held. His friends jokingly referred to him as being a cat spirit.
Many nobles would leave the daily care responsibilities for cats to their servants, reserving the pleasures of play and sleep with cats for themselves.