In anticipation of every kitty owner’s dream event, we browsed through their Instagram account and curated the most hilarious and relatable mouser memes for your entertainment. Ranging from a bit silly to sweet, they are guaranteed to make your day that much more clawsome (pawdon me). But today we’re delving even deeper into feline celebrations, starting with Ancient Egypt and one of the most important cat figures, the goddess Bastet. She had the head of a cat but the body of a woman, and was the deity of protection. Tabbies played several roles in Egyptian society, from being seen as guardians of the home that brought protection and good fortune to the household to representing the powerful kings and gods. One of the reasons for their popularity was their dual nature. On one hand, they are obedient, protective, and nurturing, and on the other, they can be fierce and aggressive. Together, these qualities, along with loyalty and independence, are what paralleled them to deities. To honor these pets, wealthy families dressed them in jewels and fed them fancy treats. More interestingly, cat owners would often shave their eyebrows as a sign of mourning for a lost companion and grieve until they grow back. Japanese folklore also tells stories of “Bakeneko” and “Nekomata,” mythical cat creatures with supernatural abilities that include shapeshifting. They are portrayed as protectors and tricksters, tormenting humans and creating chaos everywhere they go. Which, to this day, evokes a mysterious sense of beauty around cats in modern Japan. Follow Bored Panda on Google News! Follow us on Flipboard.com/@boredpanda! Please use high-res photos without watermarks Ooops! Your image is too large, maximum file size is 8 MB.
